Theatre Momentum

Theatre Momentum Theatre Momentum is Chicago's ONLY theatre dedicated to dramatic improv. We pride ourselves on creating theatre that happens to be improvised.

In September 2005, now-Artistic Director Tony Rielage began Work(shop)-in-Progress, a weekly improv theatre lab designed to flesh out and polish a variety of improv show concepts he had brainstormed over the previous 10+ years. The workshop quickly evolved to bring in other performers’ concepts, and the brainstorming/polishing process was honed, with the help of Nick Kanel in the early months, Don

Hall for over two years, and a variety of new coaches after that. In early 2006, WiP spawned a handful of shows that ran briefly at the Playground Theater and the Apollo Studio Theater, under the banner ersatz theatre. After this period, Theatre Momentum began to evolve, and a new batch of shows began in 2007 under the TM name. TM has created over 40 shows since our inception, and in in 2019 opened our Dramatic Improv Training Center. In addition to our latest shows, we have produced our signature day-long event, The 15 Hour Project, several times over the past 15 years. In October 2019, we launched the first Dramatic Improv festival. The best is yet to come. Theatre Momentum is always moving forward…

The Road Less Traveled opens tomorrow! Free tickets for opening weekend only!
06/04/2026

The Road Less Traveled opens tomorrow! Free tickets for opening weekend only!

Dramatic Improv like nowhere else

Dramatic Improv AUDITIONS with Theatre Momentum- Next Week!!Theatre Momentum is holding auditions for our upcoming drama...
05/29/2026

Dramatic Improv AUDITIONS with Theatre Momentum- Next Week!!

Theatre Momentum is holding auditions for our upcoming dramatic improv production, HOW NOVEL!

We are seeking to cast 10-12 total players per show. Come join the ONLY theatre in Chicago dedicated to dramatic improvisation.

HOW NOVEL, an instant drama
Dialogue and imagery can conjure with just a few simple lines from your favorite novel. However, the same words could inspire many a story and plot line, each vastly different from the original subject matter. Join us as we get some “novel ideas” inspired from a passage or two, and make a full multi-act improvised play! Each show will also accept book donations for our community.

Auditions are Saturday, June 6, 9-11:30 AM
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 9-11:30 AM, June 20-August 1
Shows: Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM, August 7-September 12 (8 shows, every player will get some nights off)
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TM productions focus on grounded improvisation that explore the entire spectrum of human emotion, dealing with vulnerable human beings behaving honestly and connecting deeply. Auditioners are encouraged to consider themselves actors first and improvisors second.

Some pay: cast members receive 35% of the ticket sales and complimentary dramatic improv classes.

Audition for How Novel, an instant drama!

OPENING WEEKEND ONLY! Free tickets!A Love Story and A Ghost Story are free, this weekend only! Get your tickets while th...
04/30/2026

OPENING WEEKEND ONLY! Free tickets!
A Love Story and A Ghost Story are free, this weekend only! Get your tickets while they last!

Dramatic Improv like nowhere else

AUDITIONS: The Road Less TraveledThe Road Less Traveled is an improvised one act that explores the fictionalized life of...
03/17/2026

AUDITIONS: The Road Less Traveled
The Road Less Traveled is an improvised one act that explores the fictionalized life of an audience member, had they made a different life choice at some point in the distant past. Join us and explore what happens when you take the road not taken... it makes all the difference.

TM productions focus on grounded improvisation that explore the entire spectrum of human emotion, dealing with vulnerable human beings behaving honestly and connecting deeply. Auditioners are encouraged to consider themselves actors first and improvisors second.

Director: Matthew Hellon Hodges

Auditions are Saturday, 3/28 or 4/11, 9-11:30 AM

Some pay: cast members receive 35% of the ticket sales.
Auditions slots are 40 minutes apiece with 15 minutes between. If you are available for more than one slot, please email us to let us know, so we can spread out auditioners across the slots evenly. The entire audition will be improvised scenes, so there is nothing to prepare.

Rehearsals: Saturdays, 9-11:30 AM, April 18-May 30
Please make sure you only sign up if you can do all 6 rehearsals. Show dates have flexibility and off-nights built into the schedule.
Shows: Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM, June 5-27 (8 shows)

Audition for The Road Less Traveled!

OPENING NIGHT!!!Get your tickets now, everyone! Use the code 2FOR1 to get 2-for-1 tickets, this weekend only! (ssh! It's...
02/27/2026

OPENING NIGHT!!!
Get your tickets now, everyone! Use the code 2FOR1 to get 2-for-1 tickets, this weekend only! (ssh! It's a secret!)

Dramatic Improv like nowhere else

Before and After closes this weekend! Last chance to see this amazing show!
02/20/2026

Before and After closes this weekend! Last chance to see this amazing show!

Life is defined in moments. Before and After explores the story leading to a life-changing event and the impact of that instant on all that is to follow. Are we truly changed by the big moments in our lives, or are we only revealed? No two performances are ever the same, but every show is an instant...

TM has a FREE drop-in class tomorrow night! Join us online for Dramatic Improv, and see if you want to join our regular ...
02/18/2026

TM has a FREE drop-in class tomorrow night! Join us online for Dramatic Improv, and see if you want to join our regular classes. Or join us in-person on February 28th and get a jump on auditions!

Check out the TM Dramatic Improv style before you commit!

Only a few more chances to see Before and After! Get your tickets tonight!Life is defined in moments. Before and After e...
02/13/2026

Only a few more chances to see Before and After! Get your tickets tonight!

Life is defined in moments. Before and After explores the story leading to a life-changing event and the impact of that instant on all that is to follow. Are we truly changed by the big moments in our lives, or are we only revealed? No two performances are ever the same, but every show is an instant drama created before your eyes.

Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM (doors open at 7 PM)
through February 21

Life is defined in moments. Before and After explores the story leading to a life-changing event and the impact of that instant on all that is to follow. Are we truly changed by the big moments in our lives, or are we only revealed? No two performances are ever the same, but every show is an instant...

Dramatic Improv AUDITIONS!!!Theatre Momentum is holding auditions for our upcoming productions, A LOVE STORY and A GHOST...
02/02/2026

Dramatic Improv AUDITIONS!!!

Theatre Momentum is holding auditions for our upcoming productions, A LOVE STORY and A GHOST STORY, two dramatic improv productions. We are seeking to cast 10-12 total players per show. Come join the ONLY theatre in Chicago dedicated to dramatic improvisation.

A Love Story
"I love you" means so many different things. How different is the first time we say it from all the other times? A Love Story explores the many facets of love and the journeys we experience with those we give our hearts to.

Auditions will be held on Sun, Mar 1, 3-5:30 PM or Sun, Mar 8, 12-2:30 PM

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A Ghost Story
We're all haunted by the past in some way. Perhaps we're all haunted by the future as well. A Ghost Story explores them both, past and future, side by side. Two stories, two times, one place.

Auditions will be held on Sat, Feb 28 or Sun, Mar 7, 3-5:30 PM
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Some pay: cast members receive 35% of the ticket sales and complimentary dramatic improv classes.

Audition for A Love Story and A Ghost Story!

🎭 Dramatic Improv Classes — Starting soon! 🎭Theatre Momentum is starting new Dramatic Improv classes, both in-person in ...
02/02/2026

🎭 Dramatic Improv Classes — Starting soon! 🎭

Theatre Momentum is starting new Dramatic Improv classes, both in-person in Chicago and online! In-person classes start March 7th and 8th, and online classes start February 19th and March 2nd!

Classes run 6 weeks per level, and levels can be taken in any order. The focus is on emotional realism, character specificity, relationship dynamics, and sustained storytelling.

Using our Lazy/Selfish/Sneaky approach, students work on:
• playing scenes with emotional clarity and intention
• building strong characters and relationships
• listening deeply and responding honestly
• creating grounded, narrative-driven work

These classes are a great fit for actors, improvisors, and anyone looking to deepen their scene work in a supportive, exploratory environment.

👉 Class details & schedules:
https://www.theatremomentum.com/classes

Use code FACEBOOK to save $30.
Questions welcome—feel free to comment or message us.

Unique classes to change your improv world.

Address

1541 W. Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL
60657

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 12am
Tuesday 6am - 12am
Wednesday 6am - 12am
Thursday 6am - 12am
Friday 6am - 12am
Saturday 6am - 12am
Sunday 6am - 12am

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