Sarasota's Hilarious Highlight: 15th Annual Improv Festival Approaches!

Sarasota, Florida, USA - The anticipation is palpable as the 15th annual Sarasota Improv Festival approaches on July 18 and 19, 2025. Recognized as the leading improv festival in the Southeastern United States, this event promises a spectacular showcase of creativity, laughter, and community engagement. Held at Florida Studio Theatre’s downtown Sarasota campus, the festival will feature a stellar lineup of 17 improv troupes and over 80 talented artists engaging in 29 performances and 17 interactive workshops throughout the weekend.

This year’s festival is a cornucopia of improvisational styles, including musical improv, fast-paced games, and genre-based comedy, inviting both seasoned fans and improv newcomers to experience the fun. FST (Florida Studio Theatre) has been a major player in the American theatre scene since its founding in 1973, drawing an impressive crowd of over 225,000 live attendees annually. The festival’s esteemed Managing Director, Rebecca Hopkins, founded it in 2009 and has since transformed it into one of the largest improv events in the Southeastern U.S., attracting thousands of attendees each year. The fusion of talent from various regions highlights the vibrant improv community.

Festival Highlights

Festival-goers can look forward to thrilling performances from both returning favorites and exciting newcomers. The headlining act this year is S@!#zprobe, a New York-based company known for crafting fully improvised musicals based on audience suggestions. Other notable groups include:

• Parallelogramophonograph (Austin, Texas)
• Dad’s Garage (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Forgotten Broadway (Orlando, Florida)
• North Coast (New York City)
• SAK Comedy Lab (Orlando, Florida)
• HERE, led by Tara DeFrancisco & Rance Rizzutto
• Shitzprobe, ready to create a musical on the spot
• SAND, bringing its unique flavor from Chicago

The interactive format of the festival allows for a unique performance experience. FST Improv will kick things off at 6 p.m. on Friday, bringing characters and sketches to life based on audience suggestions, while Parallelogramophonograph takes the stage later that night and again on Saturday in Bowne’s Lab at 8 p.m. Additionally, Dad’s Garage will improvise scenes inspired by classic films, performing at Bowne’s Lab on both days. Each show offers something new, ensuring that audiences will witness improvisational comedy at its finest.

Workshops and Tickets

For those interested in diving deeper into the world of improv, the festival also features 17 interactive workshops. Highlights include:

• Intro to Improvised Musical Theater with S@!#zprobe
• The Scenic Connection with Dad’s Garage

These workshops provide an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn from seasoned improvisers, regardless of their prior experience. As for ticket prices, the festival offers various options: a Two Day Pass for $75, a Saturday Pass for $59, and a Friday Pass for $49. Single tickets will be available starting the week of June 16, 2025, making it accessible for everyone eager to join in on the laughter.

Sponsors such as Applied Improvisation Network and Art Ovation Hotel play a crucial role in bringing this festival to life, supporting its continued growth and success. For those curious about the full schedule of performances and further details, more information is readily found at the Florida Studio Theatre website.

As the city of Sarasota gears up for this highly awaited festival, one thing is for certain: whether you’re a die-hard improv buff or just looking for a night filled with laughter and spontaneity, the Sarasota Improv Festival has something in store for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience under the bright Florida sun!