The iO Theater is the birthplace of longform improv and is home to the best comedy shows in the country. Considered to be the Mecca of improvisation, the iO Theater (formerly known as The ImprovOlympic) boasts a full training center, 4 performance spaces plus a full bar and kitchen. As of the fall of 2022, iO is under new ownership and management that will continue to bring the best comedy and improv training to the Chicagoland area! iO seeks to create a community that makes space and creates new pathways and entry points for improv performers of all backgrounds and abilities. iO is committed to creating an inclusive incubator for performers and ensembles to explore this art form and develop new and exciting works. Upon rebuilding the new iO, one of the first priorities was to institute a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) board to advise the theater’s new owners and management team. Comprised of community members, the board serves an instrumental role among iO’s current leadership to ensure the theater’s business operations, workplace culture, and social environment are safe, positive, and equitable.
