The Improvisational Repertory Theatre Ensemble (IRTE) is a New York City-based, award-winning company of improvisational actors, producers, and creators of original, character-driven improvisational comedy theatre. Our 2026 season celebrates our 14th Anniversary of creating, producing and performing new and expanded theatrical productions that weave together the best elements of improvisational comedy and traditional theatre, live musical performance, and opportunities for audience interaction with every show!

This year marks IRTE’s 14th season of unstoppable creativity, with brand-new comedy that’s as unpredictable as ever. Wow Wee! Adventures of a Little Girl Killbot Christmas Special! will make the exciting leap from our hit improvised show to a fully scripted production. Meanwhile, our second show — a brand-new improvised comedy inspired by the films of Alfred Hitchcock — will showcase IRTE’s signature wit and inventive spirit.

 

That’s where the magic of IRTE lives — at the intersection of spontaneity and craft. With your support, we’ll launch these two bold new projects, bring our work to a festival stage, and keep original, independent theater thriving in New York City. Together, we are truly Unscripted and Unstoppable.
 

IRTE now has over three dozen distinct productions under our collective belt performed in New York City and all over the country at various theatre festivals. We also host workshops for actors and improvisers every season, giving performers of every stripe an opportunity to expand their skill sets and their community. This season we will create scripted work using improvisational techniques across multiple workshops!

 

At IRTE, we stand shoulder to shoulder with other passionate arts organizations, united by our shared reliance on the kindness of donors like you to bring our creative visions to life. Although we sustain ourselves in part through ticket sales, our annual online fundraising campaign stands as the cornerstone of our ability to craft a season brimming with imagination.

In the heart of the fiercely competitive live entertainment scene of New York City, our ensemble shoulders the responsibility of sharing our work with an ever-growing audience and performance community. Behind the scenes, we secure rehearsal and performance space, gather our tech and creative staff, promote our shows and workshops, and much more. We're focused on the success of this season through dedication, sweat, and sheer determination.

 

The honor and privilege of creating the kind of improvised comedy theatre that we love is very rewarding, and we also greatly appreciate the awards and kind words we’ve received over the years. Here are a few highlights we’d like to share with you…
  

“…the actors in this cast were so agile, so fast on their feet, that I found myself wondering how they were doing it, even with all my book learnin'. The choices they made were just...smart. And funny. And at times, moving. It was stunning.” – Tom Angelo

“...surprise-a-minute…” - Jay Lloyd, CBS Philly, KYW News Radio
   

“...wildly unique and wildly funny shows.” - Natasha Dawsen, Drama Queens
   

“...theatre-goers will have a phenomenal time.” - Amy Carothers, NYC Travels
  

“...raucous and a hell of a lot of fun.” - Jan Ewing, Hi Drama
 

“...IRTE manages to strike a balance between both well-written comedic structure and pure improv, while also using both audience engagement and a creative assortment of props and makeup to stay on a low indie budget and still be uniquely laugh out loud funny...” - Anthony Piccione, OnStage Blog
 

“If a John Waters movie and Ex Machina had a baby, it might look like WOWEE! ADVENTURES OF A GIRL KILLBOT… This reviewer snorted with laughter.” - First Looks - PortFringe 2018!
 

“Magnificent...fantastic...one of the finest improv troupes today!” - Outerstage - IRTE MITF A-OK