Since 1990 we have been Wellington's premier permanent corporate Theatre Company.

We excite, we invigorate and we entertain. In short, we make 'em laugh!!

We have worked in partnership with most of New Zealand's major employers - promoting them to clients, educating staff, facilitating them to creatively embrace industry issues and celebrating successes with them.

Our comedy and creativity is truly interactive. Every performance is unique.

We are constantly developing new and exciting products and services to meet and anticipate old and new clients' needs. Let us contribute to the success of your next event.

In 1990 the first International Festival of the Arts in Wellington saw the birth of The Improvisors.

Tim Gordon, Mark Wright, Liz Mullane, Robert Pollock and Alison Wall were performing the improvised murder mystery play "Suspect" when they formed The Improvisors to provide an alternative to the entertainment on offer at corporate events at the time. Up till 1990 the options consisted of bands, booze and ex-sportspeople telling stories about their lives. The cast of "Suspect" realised that improvisation, especially the Theatresports format, could provide a great entertainment option in a market starved for choices.

Tim, Mark, Liz, Robert and Alison were already masters of the art of Theatresports, having won the National Theatresports title in 1989 with Annie Ruth as "Otherwise Fine" - this was the first of many National titles that performers from The Improvisors were to win in the early 90s.

Other Wellington performers bought shares in the fledgling company which was originally a division of Paragon Arts, the parent company who had owned the rights to Theatresports and had promoted the successful United Theatresports programme in Wellington. By 1992 Paragon Arts had ceased trading and The Improvisors became the sole wellington license holder for the Theatresports format and staged "The Commonwealth Comedy Clash" as part of the 2nd International Festival of the Arts. In the meantime, the company had brought on board Canadian Lori Dungey as its first Artistic Director and with Lori's expertise had begun making a reputation for entertaining and innovative training, events and launches.

The company continued to perform public shows as well with seasons of Theatresports continued to prove popular at both the Paramount and University Memorial Theatres. Theatresports teams from The Improvisors were also successful during this period, winning the National Title in 1991,1992 and 1994.

When Circa Theatre moved to its new waterfront premises in 1994 The Improvisors made Circa their home - performing not only Theatresports but innovative improvisation shows such as the Soap Opera "Stir" and the ultra-competitive "Theatresports Max". During this period The Improvisors began their long and successful relationship with Wallaceville House in Upper Hutt creating an ever-changing array of murder-mystery dinner shows which continue to this very day.

The Improvisors corporate entertainment expertise has broadened from Theatresports to the world of corporate theatre. Under current Artistic Directors Tim Gordon and Greg Ellis, the company now looks to add a touch of the theatrical to any corporate or private event. From conferences to launches, from team-building to incentives, weddings to birthdays The Improvisors now bring over 15 years experience helping people to Celebrate, Educate and Facilitate wherever they may be.

To check out a history of our past shows click here

To see a list of past performers click here