Improv Entertainment Options

Main Stage Improv performs a unique laugh out loud show of improv games in the style of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” This interactive non-stop high energy show is driven by the suggestions of YOU-the audience! 

Main Stage Improv

Main Stage Improv with seven cast member headshots on a black background

Improv Workshops

Group photo of Garrett with teen Improv Group

Improve your quick thinking and have a blast with Main Stage Productions Improv Workshops, tailored to enhance your social fearlessness. Providing 1-hour and 2-hour sessions, Main Stage uses proven techniques from The Second City, Comedy Sportz, and Laugh Out Loud Theater to guide you through six interactive exercises. You’ll learn the fundamentals of improv, active listening, and confident speaking while also having fun and making new friends. Ideal for both individuals and teams, these workshops are a convenient way to elevate your improv skills.

Looking for a convenient local adult Improv class? Main Stage Productions offers a 8-week course designed to teach you the essentials and culminate in your own improv show. The course includes 7 two-hour classes, a 2-hour rehearsal, and a 1-hour graduation performance. You’ll learn basic improv principles, object work, character development, active listening, and team support. 

Registration for courses now open!

Improv Courses

Five people playing Improv game with arms locked. Garrett Gray instructing on the left

Improv At Your Doorstep

Main Stage Improv Workshop group photo

Hosting a private event at your company or a get-together at your house? Main Stage will come to your address to lead you and your guests in 1 hour of improv games and get everyone laughing, having fun, and breaking the ice! You and the guests will not only be the stars of the improv but also the hit of the event!

Some Testimonials From Others

All Garrett needed was a room full of party-goers and a little bit of space to quickly get the party started in our living room. Garrett is a passionate, amazing human being. He has excellent people skills and quickly finds what makes people laugh and connect with each other. Everyone (even the teenagers!) got involved and had a fun time!

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Liz McCrorey

Garrett’s 1 hour Superhero Improv workshop was the MOST fun I had at the 2022 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) event!

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Ihechi Uzoije

The Main Stage Improv show was outstanding! The cast was so talented, and everyone had great chemistry! We laughed non-stop.

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Danielle Myles

Best improv show I’ve ever seen! The cast is hilarious and extremely talented! I laughed non-stop throughout the entire show!

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Mark Avignone

The 2020 ‘Fundamentals and Characters in Improv’ course, taught by Garrett Gray was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Humor is tough, but Garrett makes it easy, and I am little bit funnier because of him. It taught me to how to safely run with scissors.

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Fouzia Khan

Garrett’s 7-week improv class in Orland Park has exceeded my expectations.  As a Toastmaster, I signed up thinking it would help elevate my public speaking skills and in just a few sessions I realized the training provides so much more.  I am learning how to be more present in the moment, how to actively listen, how to respond freely & authentically and how to make meaningful connections out of ordinary interactions.  The laughter filled environment created by Garrett and my fellow classmates allowed me to let go of my fear of failure and to simply have fun with the exercises.  Garrett’s teaching style is perfectly paired with improv too because he is enthusiastic, genuinely supportive and encouraging at both the individual level and to us as a team.  I highly recommend taking Garrett’s class to anyone looking for a unique opportunity for personal development.

Martha Sojka

I enrolled in Garrett’s 6-week improv course and I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible journey it took me on. The course content and structure not only met but far exceeded what I could have imagined. Each week brought a new dimension to my learning of the tools of improv! What truly set this course apart was the instructor, Garrett Gray, who shared his own insights and experiences from performing Improv onstage with various troupes. His authenticity and willingness to relate his personal knowledge and experiences made the learning process incredibly helpful and inspiring. He shared useful tips of the trade that help mold a group of improvisers into an improv TEAM! If you’re seeking a transformative Improv course to jump start your improv journey look no further than Garrett’s 6 week improv fundamental course! It will positively impact your life!

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Vineet Anand

If you are unsure on taking an Improv class–Don’t be. Take Main Stage Improv’s Fundamentals of Improv class! It has helped me tremendously with my stage fright. The class is fantastic and you will learn a lot. The instructor Garrett makes it easy, fun and comfortable to be on the stage. It is also a great way to meet new people and have a bunch of laughs. 

Student Main stage Improv

Kris Reid

Led by the charismatic Garrett Gray, improv games were an absolute hit at our club’s holiday party last year in 2022! They enlivened the atmosphere and injected an incredible dose of laughter and camaraderie. With Garrett’s well-selected games, the group truly came together to unleash their creativity in hilarious and unexpected ways. The improv games added an unforgettable layer of entertainment to the celebration, making our holiday gathering a memorable and heartwarming event!

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Kristian Kind

After taking Main Stage Improv’s Adult Improv Fundamentals Course, I am so impressed with Garrett Gray’s amazing teaching qualities including: Preparation – each class began with a handout for the material we would cover along with occasionally homework assignments; Adaptability – even though we were sometimes faced with location challenges, Garrett managed to adapt and overcome the hurdles; Positive Encouragement – Garrett ended each class be having members express positive feedback observations to each other and he also provided weekly specific encouragement to each student individually. I urge anyone seeking to stretch themselves, and have tons of fun doing so, to take one of Garrett Gray’s Improv classes. You won’t regret it!

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Bill McQuillan

Garrett instructed a group of us in many improv games at Centennial Park in Naperville. The games Garrett chose were fun, included everyone and had EVERYONE laughing. I definitely recommend Garrett’s “Improv at Your Doorstep” for anyone who wants to have a great time! It was so fun I can’t wait for the next one!

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John Paul Balderas

I highly recommend Main Stage Improv’s Adult Fundamentals Course! Garrett is a great instructor who helps you feel supported and confident in your improv abilities. Monday nights became my favorite night of the week as I looked forward to improvising and laughing with my team!

Student Main Stage Improv

Megan Cavanaugh

Looking for a fresh, fun, and exciting environment to get out of your comfort zone, laugh hysterically, and just be in the moment? Garrett’s Improv class is it! Not only do you learn about the fundamentals of Improv but you discover things that you never thought you could do or saw yourself doing. Garrett is an awesome teacher who motivates and encourages his students to go beyond what they “think” they can do. He walks along side of you on the journey making sure you come out on the other side. Whatever your reasons are for taking the class (each person is different) you’ll be glad you did! There’s nothing to it, but to do it. Just say, “Yes, And!” Take the leap. I’m glad I did.

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Keisha Haley

Attended an improv workshop with Garrett in 2024!  So much fun!  His positive method of teaching and group exercises helped me to get past feelings of awkwardness and thinking outside of MY box, making for more effective (and entertaining) communication.

Rick Dobczyk

I took Garrett’s online improv course and it was a game-changer in improving my ability to think on my feet. His improv classes are not just entertaining; they’ve given me invaluable skills in communication, quick thinking, and adaptability. I’ve seen his impact on others too—transforming even the most reserved individuals into confident communicators!

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Mike Scampini

The Improv in the park was a really great experience! I went into it having done ZERO improv before. I had never even seen an Improv show. But Garrett was able engage us, lead us and teach us how to do improv on the spot. On top of learning improv skills, I was able meet new people and get to know others better who I really didn’t know prior to this event.

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Denny Chuong

The Main Stage Improv group was sensational! I don’t recall a moment where I stopped laughing during their entire show. I can’t wait to watch them perform in their next show!

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Erin Hallstrom

These Improv workshops are great for all levels of improv experience. Garrett does a great job of creating a fun and safe environment for learning. He gave us smaller improv games to practice and teach us technique. It was a great experience for me, and it helped to build my confidence and my ability to adapt to a scene on the fly.

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Andrea Taylor

Why do improv? Because improv is a chance to be free and do whatever you feel — be funny, be serious, be a grump. Whatever you choose, IT DOESN’T MATTER! I was hesitant at first, but week-by-week with Garrett’s coaching, my teammates and I came to trust each other as we improvised scenes. When I learned to trust and not hold back, I got to experience true freedom and make some friends along the way. AND THAT’S WHAT MATTERS!

Student Main Stage Improv

Dara Burris

Garrett’s improv class has “improv”ed my skill set and made life better! Signing up—I just wanted to improve the skill of speaking on my feet. And yet this class has been so much MORE! Not only do you learn to think and speak on your feet but you also learn object work to enhance communication, and active listening which in turn helps build relationships and leadership skills. And did I mention we laughed in class—A LOT—even out to the parking lot. Every night I drove away from class, my face would hurt from all the laughs and thinking about all the fun we had. Outside of class, I began seeing the new skills at play and a lightness of laughter and intention show up in other areas of my life. No need to go to Second City—Garrett’s an awesome improv instructor! He’s not only Second City trained but closer to home! He provides a safe space to learn, grow in different skill sets, and laugh. He also creates a culture that inspires, empowers, and encourages each of his students in their journey. I believe anyone can improve with Improv. I challenge you—don’t hold back—this class will change and “improv”e your life!

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Laurie Rusnak

I loved the way the audience was incorporated in the Main Stage Improv show. It felt like I was “in” on all the fun!

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Zina Watkins

Garrett’s improv course is the best around! So much fun! And, unlike many other introductory improv courses that focus on the very basics, Garrett will teach you the true fundamentals of performing improv. It’s taught in a very easy-to-learn manner, yet the course felt like an advanced improv class.

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Mark Avignone

At first I was afraid, I was petrified but with Garrett holding the reins he made me believe I would survive. I hadn’t really thought of myself as a funny person, just funny looking and taking Garrett’s adult improv fundamentals class helped me realize I am both! To anyone looking to dip their toes in improv, have some great laughs or even see how you can grow in ways you didn’t think you had in you, I implore you to take Garrett’s class and see for yourself that all three of those possibilities can happen in a mere seven weeks! With how much fun he makes the entire experience, you will undoubtedly be clamoring for more or your next pizza is free!

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Brenden Cummings

What are you afraid of?! What’s the worst thing that could happen?! That’s right, NOTHING! And the BEST things that WILL happen? You will grow. You will learn. You will be super proud of yourself! You will make new friends and gather new stories to tell. And, your current friends will be really impressed! TAKE THE LEAP! Try Main Stage Improv classes! I DID!” ” 

Lynn Comstock

Garrett always puts together a creative improv set of entertaining exercises for his improv workshops for people from all walks of life to enjoy. Garrett’s a Pro!

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Audy Krygeris

Garrett is full of improv mastery and is bar none one of the best communicators in Chi-town! Garrett led a group of my guests in improv games at a party at my house. He brought his signature charisma, creativity, and care to my event. Garrett left people feeling engaged, challenged, and inspired while at the same time having fun!

You’ll not only have a great improv experience with Garrett but also build relationships, foster growth in your own skill set, and at the same time have a lotta laughs! I highly recommend the G man for your event!

Laurie Rusnak Headshot

Laurie Rusnak

Wow! Main Stage Improv was really good with so many funny comedy bits! Bringing up the couple on stage that was my favorite! It was amazing to watch the cast exaggerate the couple’s story into a laugh filled adventure.

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Sai Siddartha Lingampelli

Main Stage Improv was absolutely hilarious! I couldn’t stop laughing 😂

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Iman Salami

The Main Stage Improv show was funny, creative and my cheeks hurt from laughing! Looking forward to the next show.

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Heather Paugh

The cast is amazing! I give it 5-stars!

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Noel Ganay

Taking an improv class felt like a leap of faith, especially since I had no prior performing experience, but Garrett made me feel welcome and appreciated from day 1. The skills I learned in class helped me feel confident not only in my stage presence and humor, but also in my ability to think on my feet in stressful situations. I would recommend this adult improv fundamentals class highly to all who are interested. You won’t be disappointed!

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Malavika McGrail

Improv for me was a bucket list item which I always wanted to do but never signed up for it. I found Garrett’s Main Stage Improv through my toastmasters class and I signed up for it. From the heart palpitating first class to an awesome graduation show, the journey has been fabulous. I could see changes in my professional life, I am able to articulate my conversations better than before without using filler words or struggling to put my thoughts into words. On my personal front, the improv classes were a blast. I enjoyed every minute of it and although it is no longer a bucket item for me, however, I am going to pursue this further and learn more from Garrett. This has been a transformation journey which has given a boost to my confidence and Garrett is an awesome coach and mentor who has elevated each one of us to a new level.
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Pranav Kumar

This adult improv class has brought out a different side of me I didn’t even know I had! I learned I’m kind of funny! Garrett is a master of bringing out the best in people, and getting to learn under him (and perform with him!) has been such an honor I won’t ever forget! His teaching style is ultra supportive, and even on bad days, going to this class made all the worries of the world melt away. This class is so inspiring and fun. Even when you feel like you can’t possibly be good at improv, Garrett is there to remind you that you can, will, AND kill it, too!

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Katie Jandeska

We love a good laugh, and had plenty during the Main Stage Improv show!

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Donna Furmanek and Phyllis Stungis

Garrett’s online improv fundamentals course kept my improv skills sharp during the pandemic. No longer performing with my previous improv troupe, I was elated to take Garrett’s class because it helped me keep my reps up and keep my improv skills sharp!

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Erin Hallstrom