Colored stage lights illuminating empty improv stage

Improv ARENA

CSz Richmond Theater Presents

📅 APRIL 12th, 19th, & 26th | 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM

🔥 3 Teams. 3 Performances. 1 Champion. 🔥

Each team gets 20 minutes to dazzle you with their unscripted brilliance—twists, turns, and gut-busting laughs included. But when the dust settles, only ONE team will emerge victorious. And who decides? YOU! Your votes determine the night’s champion, so bring your loudest cheers, your toughest judgment, and your thirst for top-tier improv. Who will rise? Who will fall? Who will be crowned the Improv Arena Champion?

About Improv Arena

Welcome to Improv Arena, the ultimate battleground where quick thinking, fearless comedy, and audience-fueled energy collide! This high-stakes improv competition brings together the funniest and most talented improv troupes from across Central Virginia for a night of unscripted brilliance.

Each show, three teams step into the arena, armed with nothing but their wit, chemistry, and the power of “yes, and.” They’ll each have 20 minutes to put on the most electrifying, side-splitting, and unforgettable improv performance they can muster. Whether it’s fast-paced games, character-driven scenes, or innovative new formats, no two performances are ever the same.

But here’s the twist—the audience decides the winner! That’s right. At the end of the night, you and your fellow spectators will cast your votes, choosing which team walks away with the title of Improv Arena Champion.

This isn’t just a show—it’s a showdown. A battle of comedic brilliance where only one troupe will leave victorious, and the others will be left plotting their next comeback. The energy is electric, the competition is fierce, and the laughs are guaranteed.

Join us at CSz Richmond Theater for a night of unpredictable, high-energy improv where anything can happen—and usually does!

Who will rise? Who will fall? Who will be crowned the champion? There’s only one way to find out—be there.

PERFORMER INFO

Improv Arena is the ultimate comedy battle, where the best improv troupes from Central Virginia go head-to-head-to-head in a fast-paced, no-holds-barred competition. Each night, three teams take the stage at CSz Richmond Theater, but only one will leave victorious—and it’s up to the audience to decide!

The Show Format:

Nine Teams, Three Nights: We’re selecting nine improv troupes to compete over three Fridays in April. Each night, three teams perform.
20-Minute Sets: Each troupe gets just 20 minutes to win over the crowd with their unscripted brilliance. When the lights go out on your final high laugh, your time is up—so make it count!
Audience Vote: After all three sets, the audience casts their votes. Only one team per night will be crowned Improv Arena Champion.

When & Where?

📅 Show Dates: April 12th, 19th, & 26th
⏰ Showtime: 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM
🚪 Performer Call Time: 8:30 PM
📍 Location: 8906 W Broad St. Richmond, Va.
⚠️Submissions Due: April 2nd, 2025

Want to Compete?

Submission does NOT guarantee entry. We’re selecting only nine teams total for this high-stakes showdown.
There’s no entry fee. Just submit, get selected, and bring your A-game.
Allies Matter! Want to increase your chances of winning? Pad the crowd with your friends, family, loved ones, enemies, and people who "owe you one."

Content Guidelines:

Shows will be 18+ and can include adult language and themes but must avoid "The ism" (e.g. sexism, racism, ageism, ableism, etc.).
No religious or political material or content that could induce specific audience triggers.
This show is not for prizes, only for bragging rights.
Keep it bold, keep it funny, but keep it smart.

IMPROV ARENA SUBMISSION FORM

Improv Troupe Name

Primary Contact Name

Email Address of Primary Point of Contact (POC)

Primary PoC phone number

How many people in your troupe?

What is your troupe's hometown?

Please describe your improv set

Please provide a short description of your troupe (for marketing purposes)

Troupe Member Names & Preferred Pronouns

(Optional) Link to video of past performance(s)

Performer Headshots

Upload File

Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

(Optional) Troupe Logo or Other Marketing Collateral

Upload File

Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

(Optional) Website or social media page for your troupe

In consideration of my participation in the activities of CSz Richmond Theater, I hereby fully release and discharge, and save whole and harmless, ComedySportz Richmond, ComedySportz Improv Theatre, CSz Richmond Theater, Yes Balloon, their owners, officers and employees, their successors or affiliates from any and all liability for damages or claims for damages, causes of action, claims, demands, costs, expenses, and compensation of any nature whatsoever, for any and all known and unknown personal injuries, sickness, illness, or disorder, which I may now hereafter have, arising out of or in connection with participation in any activities whatsoever of ComedySportz Richmond, ComedySportz Improv Theatre, Yes Balloon, or CSz Richmond Theater. By submitting this electronic registration, I state that I have read, understood, and willingly sign this release.

CSz Richmond Theater has established a detailed Code of Conduct to which every person associated with CSz Richmond Theater must agree. As a student at CSz Richmond Theater, either online or in person, you must first read and agree to adhere to this policy.Please Review the Code of Conduct Here

I undertand that headshots and other collateral provided to CSz Richmond Theater will be used in marketing and promotion of this and future events. I attest that I am authorized to give CSz Richmond Theater permission to use, repost, and modify provided materials in support of CSz Richmond's marketing of this and future events. I give my permission to CSz Richmond Theater to take photographs, video, audio recording or other media of this student in class activities for the purposes of promotion and marketing of CSz Richmond Theater Improv Classes and training for future use. I understand that this media is the property of CSz Richmond Theater. CSz Richmond Theater will provide a copy of any media upon request.

I acknowledge that submitting this form does not guarantee my troupe a spot in Improv Arena. This submission expresses our interest and intent to perform, and we will be notified at a later date if selected to participate.

Which show dates is your troupe available for? Required

4/12/2025

4/19/2025

4/26/2025

Thanks for submitting for Improv Arena. We will be in contact with you soon!