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iO Theater (Chicago)

1981-2020 (original) / 2022-present (reopened) · Chicago, IL

Also known as ImprovOlympic, Improv Olympic, i.O.

Del Close and Charna Halpern's laboratory for long-form — the birthplace of the Harold and the pipeline that fed UCB and SNL for three decades.

Known for

Founded in 1981 by Charna Halpern and David Shepherd as ImprovOlympic (a tournament format); Del Close joined shortly after and took it toward long-form.
Home of the Harold — the house form Close developed through the 1980s-90s.
Alumni: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Stephen Colbert, Rachel Dratch, Andy Richter, Adam McKay, Jack McBrayer, Seth Meyers.
Closed permanently June 2020 citing COVID revenue collapse and a $100K property-tax bill. Halpern sold the building to Larry Weiner and Scott Gendell; iO reopened under new ownership on November 3, 2022.

Connected to

People

Del Close Charna Halpern David Shepherd

Forms

Concepts

Game of the Scene

Schools & Theaters

iO West Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (New York)

Sources

Referenced by

Schools & Theaters

Boom Chicago Collegiate Improv (US)iO Theater (ImprovOlympic)iO West Magnet Theater The Annoyance Theatre The Improv Conspiracy Theatre The Maydays Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (New York)