The Village Theatre

This place is a GREAT value! I brought my boyfriend here as a part of a birthday celebration, and we had a blast.
I bought tickets online without a hitch, and then just showed the online tickets at the door. You can also print out the tickets as well. If you don’t purchase in advance, you can also buy at the door.
Parking is free, if you use the lot it shares with other shops. Or you could try your hand at the street parking that is all around the area. It is also literally right next to the MLK MARTA station if you want to be more environmentally conscious.
There is a bar inside so you can buy beer or wine or soda. Prices seemed pretty reasonable for drinks. Not much else to say there.
The seating inside the theater is set up bleacher style, I.e. Rows sit up higher as you get further back. This is particularly nice for people like me who are vertically challenged. The seats aren’t the comfiest ones ever, but they were fine for the duration of the show.
We went to go improv a-​hole, which was so much fun. You do get to participate in the audience and shout out suggestions. If you’re going to see improv a-​hole, definitely get a drink. It’s a part of the whole show. There is one intermission during the show as well.
We were offered admission to their second show that night since we paid for the first, but since it was an act that geared more towards women, we didn’t stay. It was a nice offer for sure!
All in all, we had a wonderful time, laughed a lot, and are looking forward to coming back again!

Fun and entertaining place with a staff that makes you feel safe and welcome. So glad we finished an amazing night here. If you are looking for a true Atlanta experience, this is it.
They even helped get us a cab, (über was unsafe and rude) Back to the hotel.

I was beyond excited to have a night of laughs at The Village Theatre after reading so many glowing reviews from my fellow Unilocal-​ers. To be fair, I recently moved to Atlanta from LA where top quality comedy is on every corner. However, I’m also very realistic and, being in the entertainment business myself, am very forgiving when it comes to judging performances. Sadly, this was one of the most uncomfortably bad improv shows I’ve ever been to. I love to laugh and can appreciate pretty much any type of humor… but the humor was severely lacking. It felt like watching a showcase for a beginner improv class… which would be TOTALLY FINE if that was how the show was marketed. Yes, tickets were only $ 5, so one can’t be too upset. But I was very confused by the lack of quality after reading so many rockin’ reviews.
Maybe weekends are better?

If you’re looking for an inexpensive show with high quality laughs the Village Theater is definitely the place. Tickets were only $ 10, we saw Improv A-​Hole and also had the option to see the later shows FREE! From the moment you walked through the doors the host made you feel comfortable and the house music was pulsating, you could feel the energy. They had a bar with affordable beer, wine and snacks.
Every scene was highly entertaining and the audience had an opportunity to get in on the improv experience making it even more fun.
After every scene the audience got to vote on which actor was the biggest A-​hole LOL. The A-​hole is then given a particular scenario in which they have to fit into a following scene. These actors were talented, comical, witty, and would certainly leave you in stitches!
Near the end of the show the fire alarm went off so we decided not to stick around for the later shows. However we will most certainly be back again.

This was the first improv show I’ve ever been to and I’m so glad it was here! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard! My friend got a free beer when he made a good which was pretty awesome (I mean, laughter and a free beer, what could be better?)! And when Cassidy (I think that’s her name) busted into miss new booty on stage she automatically became my hero! They were also really cool people who stayed and hung out and talked to us after the show!!! I will definitely be going back!

I took classes at the Village Theatre for a year and a half and learned so much in that time. I’m so grateful to have had my mind opened to improv… it’s honestly the most fun I’ve ever had! I’ve been able to bring it into my daytime job as a teacher, and the kids love it! The teachers at VT are top notch, the performers and great to watch, the specialty themed shows are always special, and everyone working there is always so friendly. I’m glad to have found such a great spot in ATL that has become a meaningful place for me! Take classes and watch as many shows as possible… you won’t regret it!

This is easily the best improv comedy theater in Atlanta. They do both long form and short form improv here, which really sets it apart as most theaters only do short form.
They also have a variety of other events, including variety shows such as Ladylike (a personal favorite), an event called song missing where the whole night is theme around a famous music performer, as well as a host of other events.

Such a nice theater! REALLY nice people at the door and everything operates in an organized manor. Saw the Danger show and enjoyed watching the team do a longform piece. The theater’s clean and the improv was really entertaining. I will always go back when I’m in town!
Nicole

If you’re thinking of taking improv classes I highly recommend taking them at Village Theater. Super laidback and flexible classes makes for a supportive learning environment and the opportunity to make friends. Plus you’ll get the opportunity to perform for friends and strangers at the end and you will love it!
The shows at the theater are all hilarious (as they should be) and cheap. They have a small bar as well, so really I see no reason for people not to be regulars unless they hate laughing, which would be weird.

I’ve been going to their Thursday night show («Danger») regularly for about a year, and it’s always been a fun evening. $ 5 for as much improv as you can handle?! Awesome :) Lately the format has been a mixture of short-​form game-​scenes and long-​form shows, so whether you like your improv fast and funny or thoughtful and smart, the experienced and quality cast means that you will always reliably get furious play and unpredictable content that will always make you say, with delight, «Did that just really happen?!»

The best pre-​game spot in Atlanta. If you’re looking for a fun time that doesn’t cost a lot of money, check out Village Theatre. I believe students get in free on Thursdays so bring your ID.
They also offer classes which I’ve taken and enjoyed. If your interested in improv, Village Theatre is a good place to start.

We went to the Underwear Comedy Party, in which all the comedians perform in their underwear! It was pretty funny, only a couple bombers but overall really great! Only 10 bucks and no drink minimum from what I saw. Very accessible free parking too.

This place was cute. It is a smaller venue than most so it’s intimate. The hours posted is wrong, since I went to a show at 9 and they were supposedly «closed». There is parking on the street and a parking deck for free.
I came to support my friend who was playing there. The seating was tiered but they were the typical metal folding chairs. It looked like they have a lot of local talent play here which is great for the art scene growth of Atlanta.
The beer and wine were reasonably priced around $ 4 – 5 dollars per beer depending on what you get. Wine starts at $ 5. I didn’t notice any food other than $ 2 cookies.
The tickets were $ 10 bucks each and $ 15 bucks at the door.
The vibe of the place is very hipster.

A warning to all, only go here if you are ready to have fun. Great venue, great actors/​actresses, plenty of laughs and fun for all to have. Perfect date spot for those who need to know whether their date has a sense of humor. Don’t be a tool, go to Village Theater and have fun.

Been to a few establishments for comedy entertainment and found this one is a neat location but is not the most comfortable for those of the larger than average persuasion. Although this was a downer the establish is clean and put together well, no sticky floors, dirty walls, or strange smells anywhere.
We attended a special event with friends who informed us that it was usually a better show, given that half of the show depended on actual non-​comedic people to help with the laughs I could certainly understand. Cost is not much, but again your mileage may vary depending on the show. I would recommend aiming for something that has a strong theme your familiar with and doesn’t involved part of the act on stage being audience members for the whole show.
I intend to give them another visit to see if this improves my overall impression.

I’ve been a fan of the Village Theatre ever since they were in their old location (since demolished) down the street. The popular improv group moved into its current location at the Pencil Factory Flats & Shops in late 2011. The current location is bigger and nicer than the old location. Whereas the old location could seat roughly 100 folks, the new location can now handle upwards of about 140 – 150 folks.
The Village Theatre is indeed one of the most affordable entertainment options and best «cheap dates» in town. For $ 10 a ticket, you get an evening filled with funny, live entertainment. If ordering online, Xorbia Tickets charges additional fees of $ 1.34 per ticket. Tickets can be emailed to you and/​or sent to your phone. You also receive handy text message reminders with links to your tickets.
Like other improv and comedy clubs, the Village Theatre consists of a bar/​lounge waiting area and the theater itself. To ensure good seats, it’s recommended you show up early. Buy a drink at the bar and relax on one of the couches. There are also other bars and restaurants at the Pencil Factory where you can grab a drink and/​or bite to eat (e.g. Caramba Café, Chow Bing) before or afterwards.
Seating is typically general admission. It’s first-​come, first-​served. However, if you are with a big group (e.g. for your birthday or with a club/​organization), you can reserve priority seating. Your group will be ushered into the theater first. For everyone else, the door to the theater is to the left of the section with the elevated couches. In the end, it’s a small venue and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Parking at the Pencil Factory is free and plentiful. There’s a garage in the back that is accessible directly via Decatur St. or from the side via Grant St. There’s a public back entrance to the theater from the garage.
All paying customers are stamped with the letters «PLF,» which stands for the theater’s slogan: «Party Like F***.» Get ready for (sometimes) crude humor and potentially offensive jokes. Most of the time, the audience is way worse than the cast. I’ve been to several improv/​comedy clubs around town (Dad’s Garage, Relapse, Whole World, Basement Theatre), and in my experience, Village Theatre’s brand of comedy is one of the tamer ones, which can be a good thing.
I like the seat setup at the current location way better than the old location. Each row of seats is stacked stadium-​style, so you never have to worry about someone in front of you blocking your view. I don’t like the actual seats. They’re the standard collapsible metal chairs with very thin to non-​existent seat cushions. Not very comfortable for prolonged periods on your bum.
Show lengths vary. I recently went to see a show titled «Armando,» where someone told a series of stories and the improv cast played off of those stories. The show lasted almost two hours with a brief intermission. Armando was then followed by «Captain’s Log,» which was Star Trek-​inspired improv. People who purchased tickets to Armando were free to stay and watch the second show.
Since the theme of the show and cast can change from night to night and suggestions from the audience can vary wildly, no two experiences at the Village Theatre are ever the same. Armando wasn’t as funny or entertaining as I was hoping, but at least the second half of the show was good. The second half of the show was short form improv, which is almost always reliable.
In Armando, the cast (of six) reenacted their own versions of stories told by a guest storyteller. In the short form improv segment, the cast played a series of games or skits (I’m not sure exactly what they’re called in improv lingo). There was a host, Mike, who has been with Village Theatre for years, who generally explained what was going on to everybody in the audience. He fielded suggestions from the crowd and also directed the cast throughout some of the skits.
An example of where a suggestion would be taken was, fill in the blank: «I like my men/​women like I like my [blank].» The crowd blurted out answers and the cast members stepped up and said why they like their men (or women) like they like their _​_​_​_​_​_​.
One game that always generates laughs is forward/​reverse, where the cast has to replay various parts of their skit, sometimes acted out differently, on-​demand at the behest of the host. There’s situational improv, where the situation of the skit is suggested by the audience. The cast can act out the situation speaking in different accents, also suggested by the audience.
Kudos to the talented and funny folks at Village Theatre. They are exponentially funnier and quicker to think up witty comebacks on their feet than I ever wish I could be. If you’re looking for some good laughs and a fun night out in Atlanta, I definitely recommend checking out a show. Enjoy!

«Is — is this a joke?» — Punchline (1988)
What a great night out! Thanks to Kristin B. for setting up a UYE as I had no idea about Village Theatre and their improv — shameful of me, I know. We came for Armando — where a local celeb tells stories and that is intertwined with some improv. So this part of the night, well, lacked. The stories were contrived and all involved Jimmy (the celeb) getting drunk — and none of it seemed believable. The improv in-​between was good, but also, not stellar. Also, could not figure out how one thing had anything to do with the other. Unless I know the celeb next time, I would probably skip Armando as a show.
However, after the 5 minute intermission — about half the crowd left (including a hard part of women)… maybe they didn’t like it either? Unsure. Anyway… we got back to the true spirit of improv. Mike was running the show and having the audience shout our dialects — except for a dumb blonde woman yelling out «Asian» — thank goodness he heckled her for that — the crowd came up with some great ones. Two of the actors began improving a father teaching a daughter to drive and they kept changing dialects — and OMG this was some funny stuff. But… that was not the best of the night — oh no.
Mike then got the team going on a «3 girls escape camp looking for alcohol» and he ran most of it — I have not laughed that hard in a LONG time. I was on the floor and my sides were in serious pain. That’s what I call comedy.
Kudos to the actors for their comedic timing and creativity, even in the face of a tough sell during Armando. You kept the audience attention — or most of us — and I would come back again (just probably for something different).
I would say though, guys — buy pants that fit you. No one wants to see your underwear — it’s distracting and not in a good way.

Wow! I give this place 5 stars because it’s such a great way to spend your saturday night. It’s an improve comedy show so the host ask for certain topics and make the story from there !
I went in with my husband after ready reviews on Unilocal and it did not disappoint !! Our bellies literally hurt from laughing so much. Plus we get to drink and snack during the performance which made everything so much better !
Amazing show and a magnificent way to spend a Saturday night with your friends or significant other .
Good show guys keep it up

My first Unilocal review. I have been using Unilocal for years as a lurker but not a registered user. I decided to sign up because of my first visit to the Village Theatre, and I have to say, this place is awesome!
The people running this place are cool and funny, it’s a non-​profit, so it’s suer cheap and the drinks are very reasonably priced.
I would have liked to have some food there since I skipped dinner, but they only had snacks; I guess next time I will eat first! lol
The stage was nice and spacious and the seats comfortable, I also enjoyed the clean restrooms.
Now to the staff, Chris Claybo (I hope I spelled it right) was hands down the best comedian there, followed by Big Mike and another tall bald dude, I forget the name.
The comedy was a little raunchy but never over the top.
I enjoyed this place a lot, I recommend it highly and will come back very soon.
KS

Comedic perfection!
I seriously applaud the owners of VT. I’ve been a regular patron since 2010, and I’m so impressed that they have stayed grounded and true to their comedic vision while growing the business significantly.
Heck, I remember the first Saturday night show I went to. The audience seating was about half-​full and the venue was a craphole. But it was THEIR craphole, and it had a certain charm. Then a few weeks later I went to VT and really thought they hit the big time, because they had sold out the show and were turning people away at the door.
Fast forward 3 years and 2 other venues, and now VT has their new home at Pencil Factory Lofts. This past Saturday night the lobby area was PACKED. I am so happy for this business! Congrats to them on making their business plan work.
The new, «mature» Village Theatre has a few changes since their early days. They now sell alcohol at the bar ($ 20/​bucket of 6 premium beers, like blue moon or 420, or $ 12/​bucket for domestic). Their stage area is a lot nicer that in previous venues, with a great view from any seat– although be ready to cozy up to your neighbor– good audio, lighting, etc. Great work.
Some things stay the same, like their comedy. Despite the fact that the audience demographic has definitely changed over time, they have not changed their style at all. They have no fear of dropping f-​bombs, being politically incorrect, and in generally being completely inappropriate. This is raw humor at its best. Those who are easily offended should stay home. In my opinion, though, these guys are ridiculously funny, and I often find myself keeled over multiple times in the show. In fact, I keep a list of my favorite jokes from the show on my iPhone, including:
«I’m smart, sensitive, and own a condo in midtown.» (The Dating Game)
«…have you EVER met a passive tranny?»
«All these avocados are a-​holes.» (…later in scene, avocado makes a jump for it.)
«I’m glad you’re here.»…“I don’t mean to be weird but… how did you know I was going to be here??” … «He’s here!» … «WTF. I go get a cup of coffee and I come back and he’s HERE?!?»
Every joke is a you-​had-​to-​be-​there type thing. You can’t really repeat it without the context of the rest of the scene, and if you’re like me, you can’t even remember what built up to the point of say, the avocado making a run for it. It’s a great way to make memories with friends and escape the realities of life for a while.
In their normal improv shows they always ask for suggestions, and they repeat some typical games like doing dialects (the best ones aren’t really dialects… I love «Call of Duty», «Monster Truck Show», and «Real Housewives»). They occasionally ask for volunteers but never force anyone into it, so don’t worry about sitting in the front row.
I have a great evening every time I come to VT. I feel like the actors are friends of mine now in the same creepy way that you feel like talk radio hosts are. I always know it’s going to be a great night if Chris Clabo, Dr. Frank, or Justin are up on stage. I have LOTS of other favorites too (I miss Prop though. Haven’t seen him in a while!!), and would honestly come to VT every weekend if my friends would let me. Highly recommend you check it out!