IO Theater
{{Short description|Improv theater and training center in Chicago, Illinois}}
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{{Infobox venue
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| city = Chicago, Los Angeles
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| type = Improv theater
| genre = Comedy
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| opened = 1981
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iO, or iO Chicago, (formerly known as ImprovOlympic) is an improv theater and training center in central Chicago. The theater teaches and hosts performances of improvisational comedy. It was founded in 1981 by Del Close and Charna Halpern.{{Cite web |title=Comedians React to the Closing of L.A. Improv Institution iO West |author=Jennifer Swann |url=https://lamag.com/comedy/io-west-closing |publisher=Los Angeles Magazine |date=February 15, 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|first=Achy |last=Obejas|title=Comedy Guru Charna Halpern Carries On|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-04-03-0104030038-story.html|access-date=2021-05-30|website=chicagotribune.com|language=en-US}} The theater has many notable alumni, including Amy Poehler and Stephen Colbert.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-io-theater-new-home-20140801-column.html|title=Inside the new iO, where Fey, Poehler got their start|website=Chicagotribune.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
The iO Theater formerly had a branch in Los Angeles called iO West (1997-2018), and in Raleigh, North Carolina called iO South. The Chicago center closed briefly in 2020,{{Cite journal |date=2014 |title=Improvisation |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781408177686.ch-021 |journal=Getting the Joke |pages=351–364 |doi=10.5040/9781408177686.ch-021|isbn=978-1-4081-7768-6 |url-access=subscription }} but reopened on November 3, 2022.
History
=Early years=
The ImprovOlympic was created in 1981 as the brainchild of David Shepherd who originally created the format in 1972 in New York with Howard Jerome. David Shepherd used the Theater Games, created earlier by Viola Spolin, as a way for teams of improvisational comic actors to compete. The first ImprovOlympic classes and shows took place at The Players Workshop in Chicago, where Charna Halpern was an improv student. Charna Halpern became David Shepherd's assistant, and eventually the producer of the competitions. There were also competitions at a network of local bars and clubs.
In 1982, the ImprovOlympic moved from The Players Workshop to its own space at Thomas Goodman's CrossCurrents theatre, 3207 N. Wilton Street.{{cite news |last1=Zehme |first1=Bill |title=Charna Halpern |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/December-2017/Charna-Halpern/ |work=Chicago Magazine |publisher=Tribune Publishing |date=November 14, 2017}} Teams began to form out of every major improv troupe in Chicago.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Shows began shifting to a long-form approach by 1983.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
In 1995, the ImprovOlympic moved to its location on Clark St. in Chicago.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.ioimprov.com/about/about |title=IO Chicago Theater |access-date=May 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410182406/http://chicago.ioimprov.com/about/about |archive-date=April 10, 2010 }}
=iO West=
Image:Hollywood iO West Theatre.jpg
An additional theater, iO West, was opened by Paul Vaillancourt in Los Angeles, California in 1997. The theater originally took up residence at The Stella Adler Theater (6773 Hollywood Boulevard), then The Complex Theater (6470 Santa Monica Boulevard), before finally moving into a new purpose-built space in the Palmer Building (6366 Hollywood Blvd) in 2000.{{Cite news |title=iO West, the L.A. branch of Chicago improv house, to close next week |author=Darel Jevens |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/2/13/18362557/io-west-the-l-a-branch-of-chicago-improv-house-to-close-next-week |newspaper=Chicago Sun Times |date=February 13, 2018 |language=en-US}} The theater was home to the Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival. It was managed by Colleen Doyle and Zach Huddleston, before closing on February 24, 2018.{{Cite web|date=2018-03-29|title=The Death of an Improv Theater: Mismanagement and Neglect at iO West|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/io-west-theatre/the-death-of-an-improv-theater-mismanagement-and-n/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=pastemagazine.com|language=en}}
=Name change=
In 2001, the International Olympic Committee legally threatened the theater over its use of the name "ImprovOlympic" and the name was subsequently changed to "iO." On September 2, 2005, iO held its 25th anniversary show at the Chicago Theatre in downtown Chicago.{{Cite web|title=New Improv Page: I.O. Rebranding and 25th Anniversary|url=http://fuzzyco.com/improv/theaters/io_rebranding_a.html|access-date=2021-05-30|website=fuzzyco.com}} The wireless microphones went dead shortly into the show, so the improvisers played using wired mics for the rest of the performance. Celebrity veterans of the iO program who returned to play included Mike Myers, Tim Meadows, Amy Poehler, and Ike Barinholtz. The opening to the Harold piece performed was conducted by the most veteran iO house team, The Reckoning.{{Cite web|title=The Reckoning|url=https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2008/05/14/the-reckoning/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Charleston City Paper}} A DVD of The Reckoning is included in the book Art By Committee{{Cite web|title=Art by Committee: A Guide to Advanced Improvisation{{!}}Other Format|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/art-by-committee-charna-halpern/1122985211|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Barnes & Noble|language=en}} a sequel to Truth in Comedy.
In August 2014, after almost 20 years in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood, Charna Halpern bought a building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and moved the iO Theater to its new home at 1501 N. Kingsbury St.
=Closure and reopening=
On June 18, 2020, it was announced that iO would be closing permanently. Controversy ensued regarding whether the closure was due to financial difficulties or allegations of racism that had emerged in the form of an online petition that began circulating only a few days before.{{cite web| url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/chris-jones/ct-ent-chicago-io-improv-theater-petition-20200611-yyqmy6yybfen3lo6njmh7tyy4y-story.html| title = Petition accuses Chicago's iO Theater of racism | website = Chicago Tribune}} Halpern stressed that the reasons were strictly financial, highlighting the property taxes bills of nearly $100,000 that "would have had to come out of her personal savings" as the theater was not making any income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledging that, if not for the pandemic, she would not be closing.{{Cite web|title=Chicago's famed iO Theater is closing|url=https://www.avclub.com/chicagos-famed-io-theater-is-closing-1844089607|access-date=2021-05-30|website=The A.V. Club|date=19 June 2020 |language=en-us}} "I'm 68 years old," she said. "It's scary for me. We're in a pandemic right now and there's no end in sight. Even if we were able to open at half capacity it was not going to work."{{Cite web|last=George|first=Doug|title=Chicago's iO Theater is shutting down permanently|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ent-io-theater-to-close-permanently-0819-20200618-2apv5ycvj5aeti665tg3uxagxy-story.html|access-date=2021-05-30|website=chicagotribune.com}}
In July 2021 the theater was bought by Scott Gendell and Larry Weiner of Chicago. The duo stated their intention to resume shows and classes at the theater, which was due to reopen on November 3, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/7/19/22584537/io-sold-theater-chicago-improv-buy-charna-halpern-scott-gendell-larry-weiner| title = iO theater sold: Buyers plan to resume improv shows and classes - Chicago Sun-Times| date = 20 July 2021}}{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/19/arts/television/io-theater-chicago-sale.html| title = Chicago Comedy Institution iO Theater Will Reopen After Sale | website = The New York Times| date = 19 July 2021| last1 = Jacobs| first1 = Julia}}
Notable alumni
This includes people who have performed or taught at either iO West or iO Chicago:{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/category/alumni/|title=Alumni Archives - The iO Water Cooler|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
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- Stephen Colbert{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/stephen-colbert-13970|title=Stephen Colbert|date=25 January 2006|website=Avclub.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Chris Farley{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/chris-farley-9542500#background|title=Chris Farley Biography|website=Biography.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.apa-agency.com/comedy/Improv_Olympic.aspx|title=APA - Comedy/Spoken Word/Branded Properties > Improv Olympic|website=Biography.com|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618165047/http://www.apa-agency.com/comedy/Improv_Olympic.aspx|archive-date=18 June 2016|url-status=dead}}
- Tina Fey{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/tina-fey/|title=Tina Fey - The iO Water Cooler|date=10 April 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Kate Flannery{{cite web|url=http://thelampshades.com/about-2/kate-flannery/|title=Kate Flannery|website=Thelampshades.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Bill Hader{{cite web|url=http://splitsider.com/2013/03/second-city-vs-groundlings-vs-ucb-where-do-the-most-snl-cast-members-come-from/|title=Second City vs. Groundlings vs. UCB: Where Do the Most 'SNL' Cast Members Come From?|date=14 March 2013|website=Splitsider.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Seth Meyers{{cite web|url=http://funny-business.com/seth-meyers|title=Comedian Seth Meyers|website=Funny-business.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Mike Myers{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0000196/trivia|title=Mike Myers|website=M.IMDb.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Amy Poehler{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/Amy-Poehler/|title=Amy Poehler - The iO Water Cooler|date=14 March 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0688132/bio|title=Amy Poehler|website=IMDb.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Jason Sudeikis{{cite web|url=http://www.saturday-night-live.com/snl/news/2005/november/11-15_sudeikisinterview.html|title=Breaking News - How Jason Sudeikis Landed 'SNL'|website=Saturday-night-live.com|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220119/http://www.saturday-night-live.com/snl/news/2005/november/11-15_sudeikisinterview.html|url-status=dead}}
- Vince Vaughn
- Bob Odenkirk{{cite web|url=http://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/105865/20151217/50-facts-comedian-bob-odenkirk.htm|title=50 facts about comedian Bob Odenkirk|date=17 December 2015|website=Boomsbeat.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Scott Adsit{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2012/06/15/miracle-workers-scott-adsit-and-friends-improvise-at-io|title=Miracle workers: Scott Adsit and friends improvise at iO|website=Chicagoreader.com|date=15 June 2012 |access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Vanessa Bayer{{cite web|url=http://www.apa-agency.com/comedy/Vanessa_Bayer.aspx|title=APA - Comedy/Spoken Word/Branded Properties > Vanessa Bayer|website=Apa-agency.com|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529132927/http://www.apa-agency.com/comedy/Vanessa_Bayer.aspx|archive-date=29 May 2016|url-status=dead}}
- Matt Besser{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/arts/comics/features/upright-citizens-brigade-2011-10/|title=And Scene.|website=Nymag.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Maria Blasucci{{cite web| url = http://ioimprov.com/west/festivals/scripted-comedy-festival/panels/maria-blasucci/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170305003555/http://ioimprov.com/west/festivals/scripted-comedy-festival/panels/maria-blasucci/| archive-date = 2017-03-05| title = Maria Blasucci - The iO Theater - iO West}}
- Paul BrittainMoynihan, Rob. SNL{{'}}s "Fab Four", TV Guide, March 7, 2011, Pages 44-45
- Kipleigh Brown{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1089247/bio|title=Kipleigh Brown|website=IMDb.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Aidy Bryant{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/aidy-bryants-made-it-big-on-saturday-night-live-but-phoenix-still-feels-like-home-6555463|title=Aidy Bryant's Made It Big on Saturday Night Live, But Phoenix Still Feels Like Home|first=Claire|last=Lawton|date=2 October 2014|website=Phoenixnewtimes.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Kay Cannon{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/jason-winer-kay-cannon-pilot-picked-up-by-cbs/|title=Jason Winer & Kay Cannon Pilot Picked Up by CBS - The iO Water Cooler|date=12 September 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Wyatt Cenac{{cite web|url=http://www.carolines.com/comedian/wyatt-cenac/|title=Wyatt Cenac|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Andy Dick{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/andy-dick/|title=Andy Dick - The iO Water Cooler|date=23 December 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Kevin Dorff{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/kevin-dorff/|title=Kevin Dorff - The iO Water Cooler|date=23 December 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Rachel Dratch{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/rachel-dratch-star-broadway-show/|title=Rachel Dratch To Star In Off-Broadway Show - The iO Water Cooler|date=2 October 2014|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Jon Favreau{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/jon-favreau-13975|title=Jon Favreau|date=7 March 2006|website=Avclub.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Neil Flynn{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/Neil-Flynn/|title=Neil Flynn - The iO Water Cooler|date=15 October 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Rich Fulcher{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/io-alumni-strengthen-tv-film-projects-in-2013/|title=iO Alumni Strengthen TV & Film Projects in 2013 - The iO Water Cooler|date=15 May 2013|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Peter Gwinn{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/?s=Peter%20Gwinn|title=You searched for Peter Gwinn - The iO Water Cooler|website=Iowatercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- TJ Jagodowski{{cite web|url=http://ioimprov.com/chicago/team/tj-jagodowski/|title=TJ Jagodowski - The iO Theater - iO Chicago|website=Ioimprov.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Angela Kinsey{{cite web|url=http://www.hobotrashcan.com/2006/02/28/one-on-one-with-angela-kinsey/|title=One on One with Angela Kinsey - HoboTrashcan|website=Hobotrashcan.vom|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- David Koechner{{cite web|url=http://www.ifc.com/2011/11/david-koechner-comedy-interview|title=David Koechner talks improv, exploiting yourself to build great characters, and comedy by way of poly-sci|website=Ifc.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Steve Little
- John Lutz{{cite web|url=http://ucbcomedy.com/user/9936|title=John Lutz|website=Ucbcomedy.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Jack McBrayer{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/Actors/McBrayer,_Jack/Biography/|title=Jack McBrayer|website=Starpulse.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Adam McKay
- Tim Meadows{{cite web|url=http://tempeimprov.com/event.cfm?id=378267|title=Tim Meadows|website=Tempeimprov.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Susan Messing{{cite web|url=http://ioimprov.com/chicago/classes/instructors/|title=Instructors - The iO Theater - iO Chicago|website=Ioimprov.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Jerry Minor{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-17-wk-comedy17-story.html|title=On top of their game|first=Janice |last=Rhoshalle Littlejohn|date=17 April 2003|website=Articles.latimes.com|access-date=11 June 2016|via=LA Times}}
- Joel Murray{{cite web|url=http://tolucantimes.info/one-on-one/one-on-one-with-actor-joel-murray/|title=One-on-One with Actor Joel Murray|website=Tolucantimes.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Mick Napier{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/miamis-villain-theater-gets-a-chicago-makeover-with-mick-napier-from-second-city-8267426|title=Miami's Villain Theater Gets a Chicago Makeover With Mick Napier From Second City|first=Alexandra|last=Martinez|date=25 February 2016|website=Miaminewtimes.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Masi Oka{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5685c66f57eb8dfaac59885d/t/569715f63b0be3f9ce87b49e/1452742134870/Improv-Interview.pdf|title=David Razowsky - Part 1 - 2/15/07|website=Static1.squarespace.com|access-date=2016-06-11}}
- David Pasquesi{{cite web|url=http://www.reelchicago.com/article/making-it-interview-david-pasquesi-improv-powerhouse-busy-actor-and-show-creator|title=Making it Up: An interview with David Pasquesi, improv powerhouse, busy actor and show creator - Chicago film, commercials, advertising, video, production, post, tech news from ReelChicago.com|website=Reelchicago.com|date=14 July 2005 |access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Danny Pudi{{cite web|url=http://www.axs.com/t-j-miller-danny-pudi-top-chicago-sketch-comedy-festival-lineup-70503|title=T.J. Miller, Danny Pudi top Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival lineup|website=Axs.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Andy Richter
- Rick Roman{{cite web|url=http://splitsider.com/2012/04/talking-del-close-and-the-early-days-of-chicago-improv-with-snls-alex-baze/|title=Talking Del Close and the Early Days of Chicago Improv with SNL's Alex Baze|date=17 April 2012|website=Splisider.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Mitch Rouse{{cite web|url=http://iowatercooler.com/alumni-return-to-teach-at-io/|title=Alumni Return To Teach at iO - The iO Water Cooler|date=1 October 2013|website=Lowercooler.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Eric Stonestreet{{cite web|url=http://bigslickkc.org/hosts/eric-stonestreet/|title=Big Slick Celebrity Weekend - June 17-18, 2016|website=Bigslickkc.org|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527084039/http://bigslickkc.org/hosts/eric-stonestreet/|archive-date=27 May 2016|url-status=dead}}
- Cecily Strong{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/06/14/interview-snl-star-cecily-strong-returns-home-amid-dream-year/|title=SNL star Cecily Strong returns home amid dream year|website=Articles.chicagotribune.com|access-date=11 June 2016}}
- Stephnie Weir{{cite web|url=http://crasstalk.com/2011/11/the-quiet-genius-of-stephnie-weir/|title=The Quiet Genius of Stephnie Weir|website=Crasstalk.com|date=2 November 2011 |access-date=11 June 2016}}
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See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://ioimprov.com/ iO Chicago]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080914051111/http://west.ioimprov.com/ iO West]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20101203082005/http://vocalo.org/node/70659 Interview with iO founder, Charna Halpern, on BLACKOUTpresents: Radio]
{{Chicago}}
{{Chicago mtp}}
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Category:Arts organizations established in 1981