In the ever-changing landscape of the local arts community, sometimes even long-standing institutions are affected. Unfortunately, ImprovBoston has officially become the most recent venue to join that club.
As announced on Monday (December 11), the local sketch comedy institution, which has served as a launching pad for countless comedy talents in the region for over 40 years, will officially be closing its doors. The sad news comes after the theater initially faced financial challenges as a result of the pandemic in 2020, but was saved and resurrected as they continued operating and offering new classes and programs.
“This is intensely difficult,” managing director Matt Laidlaw states in a press release. “Everyone at ImprovBoston worked extremely hard over these last three years to keep our doors open, from leadership to our touring company, instructors, techs, staff, ensemble members, volunteers and students. I’m extraordinarily proud we were able to keep performing post pandemic and offer shows and classes to our beloved fans. However, without a full theater to call ‘our own’ our chances for surviving long-term are very low. The best decision for the business is to wind down, and wrap up operations.”
In addition to their long legacy of touring shows, the theater offered a myriad of programs and classes, including their award-winning comedy school, which cultivated a rich alumni roster of comedians and other artists who have gone to achieve success in the realm of theater, film, and television over the years.
The theater also helped a presence in the community as they worked with local school districts, underserved communities and other common-profit organizations around the area to increase their reach and education of the arts around the greater Boston area, and New England in general.
https://x.com/improvboston/status/1734382139418775781?s=46&t=jM-Oz4uBE9vOnQKzLIAq1Q