iO West profile picture

iO West

Home of The Harold

About Me

Founded in 1980 by Charna Halpern, with assistance from the late Del Close starting in & '84, the iO Theater has prospered as a comedy training center and performance venue Located across the street from Wrigley Field (3541 N. Clark St) , iO is renowned for the performing and teaching of long-form improvisational theater (including the house specialty, the Harold). iO West is the Los Angeles arm of the world-famous IO in Chicago. We presents the best improvisation west of the Windy City. In addition to shows every night, iO West offers the finest improv training in Los Angeles, and is the home for the Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival. iO West, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and has been performing in it's Hollywood location since October 2001.


OCTOBER IMPROV CLASSES NOW ENROLLING!
New class session begins the week of Oct. 20th Registration is now OPEN for Level 1 classes.
To register, please call the iO West Training Center (323)962-7560 or Click here
Beer Shark Mice is Back!!
Every Saturday in October!!
Beer Shark Mice is Mike Coleman, Pat Finn, Neil Flynn, Pete Hulne and David Koechner
For years, Beer Shark Mice has been performing to sold out houses at the IO West theatre in Los Angeles.
Voted Chicago Improv Festival’s Ensemble of the Year and considered one of the best long-form improvisational groups in the country, the cast, which includes Mike Coleman, Pat Finn, Neil Flynn, Peter Hulne and David Koechner, boasts an impressive list of credits, both collectively and individually (Scrubs, Anchorman, Seinfeld, American Body Shop, How High, My Boys, Ed, Mean Girls, Thank You for Smoking, SNL, among many others).
These shows will sell out. So get your tickets now
Saturday, October 11 @ 09:00 PM in the Main Stage - tickets are $10
Saturday, October 18 @ 09:00 PM in the Main Stage - tickets are $10
Saturday, October 25 @ 09:00 PM in the Main Stage - tickets are $10


Please tell them you saw it on myspace.


You'll never know just who you might to see on the iO West Main Stage


Click on the links below to see some of the famous alumni of iO talk about what they've learned in our programs.
Mike Myers, Kevin Dorff, Adam McKay & Tim Meadows on long-form improvisation
Stephnie Weir, Neil Flynn, Rachel Dratch, Kevin Dorff & David Koechner on iO

Andy Dick, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey & David Koechner on working with an ensemble


My Interests



Dasariski

Three person Improv that will blow your mind. If you like seeing Impov done well you must see this show!
Dasariski are three seasoned performers that will destroy your pre-conceived notions of what long-form improv is, where it can go, and who can do what character the best.

The Real World Hollywood Cast "JOB" in the most recent season was to take improv comedy classes. What better place in Hollywood to learn improv than at our own iO West. The cast was privileged enough to take classes from iO and iO West's improv comedy guru, Charna Halpern. Catch the many repeats of the show and take the classes at iO West.

News Coverage of the iO West Crash

bignewsreport.wordpress.com

CBS News

Back Stage

trophywifeimprov.com



Check out some of the great shows at IOWest

Click here to see this months IOWest Main Stage show calendar
Beer Shark Mice

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Voted Chicago Improv Festival's Ensemble of the Year BSM is considered one of the best long-form improvisational groups in the country, the cast, which includes Mike Coleman, Pat Finn, Neil Flynn, Peter Hulne and David Koechner, boasts an impressive list of credits, both collectively and individually (Scrubs, Anchorman, Seinfeld, American Body Shop, How High, My Boys, Ed, Mean Girls, Thank You for Smoking, SNL, among many others).
Catch Second City Mainstage & E.T.C. alums Larry Joe Campbell (According to Jim), Marc Evan Jackson, Mad TV's Keegan Michael Key, Josh Funk and Nyima Funk perform an evening of improvisational theatre at it's best.

We asked the students and alumni from iOWest to send us links to online original video content, and we got just what we asked for. The clips below are the ones that made the cut.. Keep checking our profile for funny new stuff!

Email us with your on-line video content and maybe you can be featured on our profile.

Check out the new episode of Dad's Got Ninjas featured on myspaces Atomic Wedgie . It features Candace Brown of Brown and Grace , and Derek Miller of Opening Night: The Musical as Fonziebot.

Atomic Wedgie - Dad's Got Ninjas - Fonziebot


If you enjoyed you'll love this episode of Dad's Got Ninjas that features Neil Flynn of Scrubs and the great iO West live improv show Beer Shark Mice


Atomic Wedgie - Dad's Got Ninjas - Dinner with the Boss

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I'd like to meet:



Music:

Crushing Ice Cubes!

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The above clip is from one of IOWest longest running shows OPENING NIGHT: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL a Broadway-style musical that is made up on the spot, based on audience suggestion. Therefore, every night is the Opening Night of a musical that has never been seen! Friday nights @ IOWest. Click Here 4 More Info

Dig this!!! If you can get your hands on this far out album than you are a groovy cat. Man, It's a gas. it's Like a real album you can get hung up on, Ya Dig? If you can't get the album that could be a real drag. Just click on the album cover below and you can pick up on some sounds, Man.

How to Speak Hip ~ Del Close & John Brent

Movies:

The Foot Fist Way is a new comedy (presented by iO Alum Adam McKay and Will Ferrell)

Click Here to win exclusive passes to The Foot Fist Way screenings, and cool movie merchandise.


Check out this hilarious, trailer from Semi-Pro staring Will Ferrell!



Go and see the movie. Then come and see David Koechner, Tim Meadows of Semi-Pro perform live at iO West.

Television:

..

    MTV Music Videos MTV Shows Entertainment News


Big News is a weekly political satire with a new show @ IOWest every Sunday at 10p. Do you like the Daily Show? Do you like SNL? Then you'll love Big News. Check out this video clip. Check back often for the new Big News Updates.
Big News Report 9.09.07

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Big news plays live Sundays @ IOWest Click Here 4 Info

MadTV, SNL, Conan O'Brien, Scrubs, Naked Trucker Show, The Office, 30 Rock

Books:

Truth in Comedy, Art By Committee, Guru

Heroes:

Del Close

Charna Halpern

My Blog

October Improv Classes enrolling now!!!

OCTOBER IMPROV CLASSES NOW ENROLLING! New class session begins the week of Oct. 20thRegistration is now OPEN for Level 1 classes. To register, please call the iO West Training Center (323)962-7560 o...
Posted by iO West on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:10:00 PST

iO WEST IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW WEBSITE!

New website!!!! THE iO WEST IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW WEBSITE!http://west.ioimprov.com   For now, you can still go to www.iowest.com&n...
Posted by iO West on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:31:00 PST

THE NICEST SKETCH IN THE WHOLE WORLD CONTEST!

The Nicest Sketch in the Whole World Contest! Deadline: May 10th DAVE HOLMES & ROB DELANEY PRESENT: THE NICEST SKETCH IN THE WHOLE WORLD CONTEST! We're looking for sketches that ar...
Posted by iO West on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:21:00 PST

Free Improv Workshop April 19th

FREE Improv Workshop on Saturday, April 19th!Yes friends, iOwest is offering a Free Improv Workshop April 19th!  Are you looking to try improv for the first time? Are you familiar to improv and w...
Posted by iO West on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:52:00 PST

NEW CLASSES ANNOUNCED!!

Musical Improv Musical Improv for novices and experts alike! No prior singing   experience necessary (must have basic improv knowledge). Learn the fundamentals   of solo songs, duets, trios,...
Posted by iO West on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:49:00 PST

iO Wests Viral Video Night is accepting submissions until February 26th Deadline!

The iO West's Viral Video Night is accepting submissions until February 26th Deadline!Stop watching your video masterpieces in a tiny   window - see them on the big screen! The first Sunday of ev...
Posted by iO West on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:00:00 PST

Level 1 Improv Classes for March 2008: NOW ENROLLING!

  NEW IMPROV CLASSES BEGIN IN MARCH - NOW ENROLLING! Level 1 Improv Classes for March 2008:Mondays 7-10pm / Begins March 3Tuesdays 3-6pm / Begins March 4Wednesdays 7-10pm / Begins March 5Fridays...
Posted by iO West on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:37:00 PST

Check out iO WEST’s Lindsey Stoddart

Lindsey Stoddart (Sunset Heights, Tiny Hostages, The Extremely Special Lady Show) stars inHOLLYWOOD RESIDENTIALPremiering THIS Wed. the 23rd on STARZSet your tivo to Season Pass it then sit back, rela...
Posted by iO West on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:13:00 PST

iO West’s Viral Video Night is accepting submissions!

The iO West's Viral Video Night is accepting submissions until January 28th Deadline!Stop watching your video masterpieces in a tiny window - see them on the big screen! The first Sunday of every mont...
Posted by iO West on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:51:00 PST

WGA Strike Support Pics from iO WEST!

Find more photos like this on iO Community...
Posted by iO West on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:00:00 PST