How to run Your Own Improv Night in 8 Simple Steps
Putting on your own improv night might seem daunting, but it’s one of the best ways to get guaranteed stage time, grow your team, and build a community around your show. Whether you're starting small with a mixed bill or going all-in with a solo show, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from booking a venue to getting an audience through the door. It’s easier than you think, and the rewards are well worth it.
1. Choose the Type of Night
Mixed Bill – The Easiest Start
Invite multiple teams to perform alongside yours. This creates built-in buzz, as other teams will promote the show and provide a baseline audience. Plus, it increases your chances of getting invited to other nights in return.
Split Bill / Guest Team – A Balanced Approach
Share the night with one other team. A split bill keeps the focus partly on your team while splitting costs and responsibilities, while a hosting a guest team allows your team to headline and you retainin full creative control.
Just Your Team – Hard Mode
Running a solo show is tough but rewarding. There’s no built-in audience, so you’ll need to work harder to fill seats—but if your show is good, you can build a fanbase, the holy grail of improv!
2. Pick a Name
Naming your night can feel daunting, but don’t overthink it. Keep it simple and memorable:
Guest team format? “[Your Team] and Friends” works just fine.
Split bill? Mash up the team names (e.g., Fluff + Ensemble = Fluffsemble).
Mixed bill? Anything punchy and inoffensive works—when in doubt, go with “Improv at [Venue Name].”
Remember, people will remember the fun, not the name!
3. Book a Venue
Secure a venue early—having a date locked in helps drive everything else forward. Aim for a booking 1–2 months in advance. Weeknights are ideal to start, as they’re easier to book and don’t compete with people’s weekend plans. Once your night gains traction, you can move to a weekend slot for a bigger sense of occasion.
4. Design a Poster
Your poster doesn't have to be a work of art. It just needs to be eye-catching and contain to following info:
✅ Title & Image
✅ Date, Time, Location, Price
✅ Guest Teams (if any)
✅ QR Code for tickets
Optional extras: a punchy tagline, star reviews, or graphics of guest teams.
You can create one quickly with AI-generated images (e.g. DALL·E), design tools like Canva, or more advanced software like Photoshop. For QR codes I use QR Code Generator.
Some example posters I’ve made over the years- a mixed bill, a split bill, and a full hour show.
5. Set Up Ticketing
Most venues handle ticketing, but if yours doesn’t, services like Ticket Tailor make it easy. You can even scan ticket QR codes with your phone using their app.
Pricing tip: Keep tickets affordable—£5–10 for a mixed bill, £10–15 for a more established show. Some venues allow free entry with a donation at the end (via SumUp or iZettle), which can help build goodwill and attract new audiences.
6. Invite Guest Acts
If you’re featuring guest acts, decide their role:
Headliners (established teams that draw an audience)
Support acts (newer teams that bring friends)
A mix of experience levels can work well, but ultimately, prioritize fun and a good atmosphere!
You'll also need to decide if you are going to pay your guests. This being improv, most teams will be happy to perform for free, but if you can, paying them a portion of any profits will build good will and mean better teams are more likely to want to play your night.
7. Promote, Promote, Promote!
Getting an audience is the hardest part, so be proactive:
Social Media – Make shareable Instagram posts and tag guest teams. Moving graphics (easy in Canva) stand out more than still images.
WhatsApp – Share your promo image/video in improv groups and create a broadcast list for all those friends who said, “Let me know when you have a show.”
Videos – A short, funny promo video can work wonders (Canva is great for this).
Flyers – Hand them out at other shows, cafes, and classes.
Ticket Deals – Offer 2-for-1s or discounts to encourage early bookings (ask your venue if they are doing ticketing).
Targeted Ads – Instagram ads in your venue’s area can be surprisingly effective, even with just £20–40.
There’s no silver bullet—consistency is key. Your first show probably wont sell-out, but if you keep delivering great nights, word will spread.
8. Managing Stress
The hardest part isn’t the workload—it’s wondering if people will show up. Try to let go of that worry. Even with a few teams and a small audience, the night will be fun. Focus on getting reps in and building awareness, not selling-out (as nice as that is when it happens).
If you’re overwhelmed, delegate tasks to teammates and don’t skip the warm-up!
Running your own night is easier than you think—and a fantastic way to secure stage time, grow your team, and maybe even make some money.
So, what are you waiting for? Get producing, and I’ll see you at your show!
