Bandit Theater

What Bandit Theater does

Bandit Theater is a Seattle and Tacoma-based 501c3 non-profit improv comedy theater founded in 2018 by Annie Barry. The organization produces live improvised comedy shows built on long-form, game-based techniques drawn from the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Second City, and iO Chicago traditions, with a portfolio of roughly fifteen signature formats including First Date, Swipe Right, Mad Science, InkProv, The Couples Quiz, Star Clash, Regency, and Who's High?, performed at multiple partner venues across Seattle (Seattle Open Arts Place, Fremont Abbey, West of Lenin) and Tacoma (Real Art Tacoma). The company also produces The Awkward Show podcast distributed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and operates a Discord-based community for volunteers and supporters.

The organization generates revenue across five streams: ticket sales for live shows (many free, funded by the 4Culture Public Free Access Grant); paid education programs including a four-level Improv Training Program, three-level Sketch Writing Program, beginner Stand-Up classes ($325 for 8 weeks), kids classes, and rotating specialty workshops; customizable corporate team-building and leadership workshops sold direct-to-business (logos include Amazon, University of Washington, Starbucks, Ankrom); online merchandise (apparel, accessories, mugs, patches priced $10-$45); and charitable donations through Givebutter plus a $10/month Bandit Buckaroo recurring donor program. Operating expenses are funded in part by grants from ArtsFund and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Bandit serves three primary customer segments: Seattle-area comedy audiences attending live shows, adult learners enrolled in improv/sketch/stand-up training, and corporate clients purchasing workshops for team-building and leadership training. The organization has a 1-10 employee headcount, a board of directors led by Chris Carter (President) with Julia Kolski as Treasurer, and operates under artistic direction of founder Annie Barry, with show-direction distributed across a bench of directors trained at recognized national improv institutions.

Name

Bandit Theater

Legal name

Bandit Theater

Website

https://bandittheater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bandit Theater is a 501c3 non-profit improv comedy theater in Seattle and Tacoma that produces live improv shows, runs improv/sketch/stand-up training programs, and sells corporate team-building workshops to clients including Amazon and Starbucks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Comedy Education

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Improv Comedy Performances (MPAGACAB), Comedy Club & Showcase Nights (MPAGACAE), Sketch Comedy Shows (MPAGACAC), Stand-Up Comedy Shows (MPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Live improv comedy
• Comedy education programs
• Corporate team building
• Comedy theater performances
• Improv training classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Live Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for live improv shows at various Seattle and Tacoma venues. Many shows are free (supported by 4Culture grants), while others may have ticket prices.
2. Education Programs: Revenue from Improv Training Program classes (8-week courses across 4 levels), Sketch Writing Program, Stand-Up Training Program, and Kids programs. Classes run quarterly with registration fees.
3. Stand-Up Comedy Classes: 8-week beginner stand-up class priced at $325 plus taxes and fees, meeting weekly with Cam Kiernan as instructor.
4. Sketch Coaching: 1-on-1 sketch writing coaching sessions with Annie Barry at $150 plus taxes and fees for three 1-hour online sessions.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise store selling apparel (t-shirts, hoodies), accessories (hats, beanies, socks), mugs, patches, and class notebooks ranging from $10-$45.
6. Corporate Workshops: Customizable corporate team-building and training workshops taught using improv principles. Targets businesses for team-building events, leadership trainings, sales kick-offs, and company off-sites.
7. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations through Givebutter platform. Monthly 'Bandit Buckaroo' program at $10/month. Stock gifts accepted. 501c3 non-profit eligible for corporate matching. 4Culture Public Free Access Grant supports free programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bandit Theater operates a multi-format improv comedy theater in Seattle and Tacoma, producing live shows across 16+ signature formats, a four-level sequential improv training program, sketch writing and stand-up comedy classes, kids' programs, and customizable corporate team-building workshops. The 501c3 non-profit generates revenue from ticket sales, class registrations, merchandise, corporate workshop fees, and tax-deductible donations, with free programming supported by a 4Culture Public Free Access Grant.

Product overview

Bandit Theater is a Seattle and Tacoma-based improv comedy theater operating as a multi-format entertainment venue and education organization. The core offerings include live improv comedy shows (Swipe Right, First Date, InkProv, The Couples Quiz, The Awkward Show podcast, Mad Science, Star Clash, Who's High?, Lucky Draw, Regency, SpaceShip, Round Up Improv Jam, Hot Hot Suggie, Tumbleweeds, Showdown, and Seasonal Shows), an education division with Improv Training Program, Sketch Writing Program, Stand-Up Training Program, kids classes, and corporate workshops, plus a merchandise store. The company functions as a 501c3 nonprofit supported by grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Improv Training Program Sequential four-level improv comedy training program (8-week courses per level) teaching long-form game-based improv from fundamentals to performance, with optional student showcases. For adults seeking skill development, confidence building, and creative expression.
• Sketch Writing Program Three-level sketch comedy writing curriculum from fundamentals to mounted performances, plus Sketch Greenhouse drop-in workshops and one-on-one coaching. For adults seeking comedic writing skill development.
• Stand-Up Training Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of adults served annually through education programs

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Seattle Open Arts Place (formerly 18th & Union)coreOthersPrimary Seattle venue for Bandit Theater performances including Regency, Star Clash, Who's High?, and other shows. Located at 1406 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122.
• Real Art TacomacoreOthersTacoma venue hosting InkProv Tacoma and First Date Tacoma shows. Located at 5412 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409.
• Fremont AbbeysupportingOthersSeattle venue used for various shows including The Hot Hot Suggie Show, The Couples Quiz, and InkProv. Located at 4272 Fremont Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103.
• West of LeninsupportingOthersSeattle venue used for Round Up Improv Jam and various shows. Located at 203 N 36th St #204, Seattle, WA 98103.
• Theater Puget SoundcoreOthersPartner venue for improv and stand-up classes in Seattle. Located at 305 Harrison St (Armory), Seattle, WA 98109.
• Queer Stability FoundationsupportingOthersPartner venue for Tacoma improv classes. Located at 1305 Tacoma Ave S Suite 320, Tacoma, WA 98402.
• Corporate Workshop ClientssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate clients including Amazon, University of Washington, Starbucks, and other businesses that purchase team-building workshops. Logos shown on corporate workshops page indicate past client relationships.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Unexpected Productions: Seattle's longest-running improv theater (since 1983) offering improv shows, classes, and corporate training in the same Pacific Northwest market as Bandit. Directly comparable in format (live improv shows + classes + corporate workshops) and geography.
• Jet City Improv: Seattle/Washington-based improv theater offering long-form shows, training programs, and outreach. Overlaps directly with Bandit's improv show calendar, multi-level training curriculum, and Pacific Northwest regional positioning.
• Kickstand Comedy: Portland-based nonprofit improv theater running shows, classes, and community programming in the Pacific Northwest. Shares Bandit's nonprofit structure, training pipeline, and show-format driven operating model.
• ComedySportz Seattle: Short-form competitive improv ensemble performing in Seattle with training programs. Competes for the same casual comedy audience and adult learner pool as Bandit.

Broad incumbents

• The Second City: Chicago-founded improv and sketch comedy institution with theaters, training centers, and corporate workshops globally. Bandit's training curriculum explicitly references Second City methodology, and the corporate workshop business is directly analogous.
• Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Training Center: NYC/LA-based improv and sketch training institution where multiple Bandit directors studied. Comparable long-form improv curriculum, house teams, and classroom-to-stage pipeline model.
• The Groundlings: LA-based improv and sketch comedy theater with a famous training program and Sunday Company pipeline. Bandit director Robbie Lite trained at The Groundlings, and the structure (levels → performance company) mirrors Bandit's curriculum.
• iO Theater (Chicago): Chicago improv institution known for long-form Harold training. Comparable advanced-level training curriculum and explicit reference point for Bandit's directors (Robbie Lite trained at iO Chicago).

Regional players

• The Hideout Theatre: Austin, TX-based nonprofit improv theater running shows, classes, and outreach. Comparable nonprofit structure, training program, and format-driven show programming, but in a different regional market.

Emerging players

• Improvolution: Boutique improv training and corporate workshop provider offering custom team-building and leadership programs. Comparable to Bandit's corporate workshop motion in scope and B2B focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BanditTheater
• Instagraminstagram.com/bandittheater
• Xx.com/BanditTheater

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bandit Theater