The Birth of a Revolution
In 1981, Chicago’s improv scene was dominated by The Second City’s blend of short-form games and polished sketches. But producer Charna Halpern and her original partner, David Shepherd, envisioned something different. They started the ImprovOlympic, a place
focused on competition among improv teams. The goal was to elevate improv beyond simple gags. However, the theater’s true identity began to form when Halpern partnered with a near-mythical figure in Chicago theater: Del Close. Close, a brilliant but volatile director recently ousted from Second City, saw a chance to build an institution around a more patient, artful, and collaborative form of improvisation. Together, Halpern and Close would transform the ImprovOlympic from a series of competitions into a laboratory for long-form improvisation, establishing a philosophy that would ripple through American comedy for decades.
The 'Sketch' That Wasn't a Sketch: The Harold
The “hidden sketch” that truly defined iO wasn’t a written piece at all; it was a structure called “The Harold.” Developed by Close and his collaborators, and refined with Halpern at iO, The Harold was a long-form improvisational piece built entirely from a single audience suggestion. Over roughly 30 minutes, a team of improvisers would perform a series of seemingly disconnected scenes, only to weave them back together through recurring characters, themes, and ideas, creating a cohesive, spontaneous play. This was a radical departure from the quick-hit joke format. The Harold required performers to listen intently, build on each other’s ideas with the “yes, and…” principle, and trust that group intelligence would lead to something profound, hilarious, or both. It wasn’t about individual wit; it was about creating a shared mind. This structure became iO's signature form and the foundation of its curriculum.
A Factory for Comedy Gods
The philosophy embedded in The Harold proved to be an unparalleled training ground. From its longtime home in Wrigleyville, iO (the name was shortened in 2001 after a legal threat from the International Olympic Committee) became a magnet for aspiring comedians. The list of alumni is staggering, a veritable hall of fame: Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Bob Odenkirk, and Adam McKay are just a few who honed their craft on its stages. These performers learned to collaborate, to build worlds from nothing, and to find comedy in character and relationships—skills that would define their careers on shows like Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, and The Office. iO became known as the place you went to learn the art of improv, an essential stepping stone to a career in comedy.
The End of an Era and a Painful Reckoning
For nearly four decades, iO was an institution. But in June 2020, it came to a sudden halt. Co-founder Charna Halpern announced the theater would close permanently. The official reason was the crushing financial pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made operating impossible. However, the closure came amid a broader cultural moment. Just days before the announcement, a petition began circulating online, accusing the theater of institutional racism and fostering a toxic environment for BIPOC performers. Similar allegations of mishandling sexual harassment complaints had also surfaced over the years, particularly concerning its now-defunct Los Angeles branch, iO West. The theater's legacy was suddenly complicated, seen not just as a cradle of genius but as a flawed institution that failed parts of its community.
A Second Act and an Uncertain Future
After more than two years of being dark, the iO Theater building was purchased by new owners in 2021 and officially reopened in November 2022. With a renovated space and new management, the theater committed to upholding the artistic principles of its founders while creating a more inclusive and equitable environment. The new leadership has re-centered The Harold as a core part of its curriculum and performance schedule, signaling a return to the form that first made the theater famous. Now, the legendary venue faces the challenge of honoring its revolutionary past while rectifying its mistakes. The question remains whether the spirit of collaborative creation that once launched a thousand careers can be fully rekindled for a new generation.
