Improv Troupes THEY improv (Boston Corporate) ImprovBoston (Cambridge) ImprovAsylum (Boston's North End)

Stand-Up Clubs Dick's Comedy Vault (Boston) Nick's Comedy Stop (Boston) Comedy Connection (Boston) Mottley's (Boston)

Sketch Comedy Improv Asylum (Boston)

Improv What Is Improv? Is It Really Made Up? Where Did Improv Come From? Can You Learn To Be Funny? Who Teaches Improv? Can I Be Famous? How Long Does It Take? What Is Long vs. Short Form? How Can I Start Performing?

Stand-Up What Is Stand-Up? What Is An Open-Mic? How Did Stand-Up Start? Can You Learn To Be Funny? Who Teaches Stand-Up? Can I Be Famous? How Long Does It Take? How Long Is A Set? How Can I Get Started?

Terminology Blue Dying Killing Long Form Scene Set Short Form Sketch Skit

Where Did Comedy Come From?

Comedy is as old as the verbal story-telling tradition, including Commedia Dell'Arte in Europe from the mid-1500's to the 18th century. Traveling troubadores would present shows on makeshift stages in public squares. Dialog was improvised within an outline provided by a set "scenario", and they would stand-up and be funny while others prepared costumes.

More information on the history of improv is available on the Improv Miami website and information on the history of stand-up is available on our History of Stand-Up page.