Where Should I Take Improv Classes in NYC?

Before you continue reading this post, I’d like to be clear that none of this information is designed to be criticism, nor have I been contacted by any of the theaters mentioned below. I’m merely relaying my own experience at each theater since I’ve taken classes, or performed at all of them, in addition to watching several shows and interacting with their staff and communities.

Ultimately, your experience will differ from anyone else’s, but if there’s anything to take away from a post like this, it’s to attend multiple schools and theaters and familiarize yourself with different perspectives and philosophies of improv. Each of these improv training programs, I assure you, will show you something uniquely different from each other. 

A Rundown of Improv Theaters in NYC

1. Upright Citizens Brigade

The theater that is single-handedly responsible for the rise of improv in NYC is The Upright Citizen’s Brigade. I imagine there won’t be many who disagree. The founders of UCB initially congregated in Chicago before relocating to New York in the mid-90s and establishing the city as their permanent home. With an affinity for The Harold format, UCB emphasizes “the game” of a scene, which refers to the first unusual beat to occur among players, then used to dictate the actions and choices in scenes going forward. It is an approach mired in the premise of a scene. For example, two doctors are about to perform surgery, however one reveals to have crab claws for hands. The game of the scene is how much of their reality is informed by one doctor having crab claws for hands.

Avg. Cost of Classes (as of 2025): $500

2. Second City - New York

A longstanding beacon of sketch & improv comedy in Chicago, Second City recently opened a theater and training center in Brooklyn, NY in 2024. The firm reputation of Second City’s training is evident in its alumni, which includes some of the most recognizable names in comedy over the past few decades. A multi-level improv curriculum is available for those starting in improv. The opportunity to audition for a Conservatory program then becomes available, where more advanced methods are applied, culminating in a Revue-style show, which is the hallmark of Second City’s training. The Main Stage Revue, a 2-hour production incorporating sketch, improv, and music, is the primary attraction and accomplishment for students. Training at Second City mostly entails creating characters with established points of view and building a reality for those characters to exist in. For example, a flamboyant and boisterous professional wrestling superstar is placing an order at Chipotle with much bravado and flair.

Avg. Cost of Classes (as of 2025): $475

3. The People’s Improv Theater (PIT)

The PIT was founded by an alumnus of Second City in the early 2000s. There’s a multitude of classes available, in addition to drop-ins, workshops, jams, and a “level zero” improv class that is tailored to those who may not be certain about a 5-level commitment to a full curriculum. If you’re an actor looking to expand your skill set, or if you’re more interested in the socialization that improv classes offer, then The PIT might be right for you. Their curriculum spans across many areas including the fundamentals of improv, the justification of a character’s decisions, and learning multiple formats. Once a student completes the 5-level program they have the opportunity to audition for in-house teams or participate in several festivals curated by the PIT throughout the year.

Avg. Cost of Classes (as of 2025): $399

4. Brooklyn Comedy Collective (BCC)

As the story goes, the BCC was borne out of a Brooklyn location of Chicago’s Annoyance Theater. Over time, it planted its feet in East Williamsburg and became an independent theater with its own philosophy. At the BCC, students may enroll in a 4-level curriculum that introduces the notion of “deal” in the characters that are created in scenes (that is, “What is the deal with this character?”), which shapes the point of view and informs the choices of that character. The philosophy imparted by BCC, according to my experience in a leveled class, is “Fuck it, love it”. This refers to the idea that when there is something to say or do in a scene, then execute it and love the decision to do so without hesitation. There are improv classes, as well as drop-ins, workshops, and electives tailored to sketch comedy and clowning, as well as BCC’s flagship festival: The Fun & Dumb Fest, which boasts almost 3 days of continuous programming without a break. 

Avg. Cost of Classes (as of 2025): $375

5. Magnet Theater

Admittedly, the Magnet Theater is the one location where I’ve yet to attend classes, so I can’t quite offer much info on their curriculum or their areas of focus. They offer improv classes for beginners or those looking to continue their training, then offer the opportunity to study in their Advanced program, which leads to another opportunity to audition for their in-house teams. Their flagship show is called The Armando Diaz Experience–a weekly production where a cast improvises scenes based on the information provided by a monologist at the start of the show. It's named after the co-founder of the Magnet, who conceived of the form during his days in Chicago, where he is an alumnus of iO, Annoyance, and Second City.

Avg. Cost of Classes (as of 2025): $349

There is no shortage of options when it comes to registering for improv classes in NYC. Each student’s experience will vary, so it's best to see for yourself where might be the right fit for you! Regardless if you’re seeking to make headway as a writer or actor at the more advanced schools/theaters, or if you seek to sharpen your socializing and public speaking skills, improv training is a great outlet for personal or professional growth!

For more info on my coaching, practice sessions, or workshops, contact me today!