What BATS Improv does

BATS Improv (legally Bay Area Theatresports) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit improv theatre company and school founded in 1986 and headquartered at the 200-seat Bayfront Theatre inside Fort Mason Center on the San Francisco waterfront. The organization operates an integrated three-pillar model: live improvised theatrical performances (shortform formats such as Theatresports and longform narrative improv in genres like RomCom, Kung Fu, and Film Noir); a School of Improv with a six-level Foundational Series, specialty workshops, August Intensives, Performance Labs, and youth programs; and an Improv @Work corporate training vertical delivering teambuilding, leadership, and innovation workshops to enterprise clients. It also operates venue rentals for its Annex and main stage spaces. BATS bills its craft as 'radical cooperation in action,' performing improvisation through ensemble listening and 'yes, and' techniques developed continuously since 1986.

The business model blends consumer revenue from individual ticket sales (via Eventbrite), class tuition (via GoPassage and Eventbrite), and ancillary products like VIP packages, group tickets, and gift cards; enterprise revenue from corporate workshops priced at $225 per hour per group (up to 16 students); venue rental income from the 200-seat Bayfront Theatre and BATS Annex; and nonprofit funding through tax-deductible donations, employer matching gift programs, grants, and a needs-based scholarship program including a Communities of Color Scholarship. Named corporate customers span technology (Google, Apple, Oracle, Twitter, Adobe, Pixar), healthcare (Kaiser Permanente), and education (Stanford University). Marketing is multi-channel, led by Eventbrite, GoPassage, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, email newsletter, and Yelp reviews.

The organization is led by Co-Artistic Directors Karen Brelsford and Derek Yee and Managing Director Marilyn Langbehn, with a core staff of 11-50 (including a Head of School, Head of Corporate Training, Head of Marketing, School Administrator, and Production Supervisor) and a Main Stage Company of approximately 20-25 performing members. Governance is provided by an independent Board of Directors whose members include senior leaders from Google, YouTube, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Sony Interactive Entertainment, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Northern Arizona University. BATS has received multiple 'Best Theater Company' and 'Best Comedy Troupe' recognitions from SF Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, San Francisco Chronicle, and Frommer's, and on November 10, 2006 the City of San Francisco officially proclaimed 'BATS Improv Day.'

Name

BATS Improv

Legal name

Bay Area Theatresports

Website

https://improv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BATS Improv is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company founded in 1986 in San Francisco that delivers live improvised performances, multi-level improv classes, and corporate training (Improv @Work) from its 200-seat Bayfront Theatre at Fort Mason Center, serving general audiences, improv students, and enterprise clients including Google, Apple, Pixar, and Stanford.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performing Arts and Improv Education

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ)

Keywords

• Live improv theatre
• Improv school classes
• Corporate improv training
• Theatre venue rentals
• Nonprofit performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Live Theatre Performances: Ticket sales for live improv shows including The Short Show, Super Scene, CAVE MATCH competitions, Spontaneous Broadway, and specialty performances like The Improvised Twilight Zone.
2. Improv Classes and Workshops: Revenue from introductory workshops, six-level Foundational Series curriculum, specialty classes, August Intensives, Performance Labs, and youth programs.
3. Corporate Training (@Work): Teambuilding workshops, Innovation Studio, and Development Lab programs for corporate clients teaching improv-based skills for leadership, collaboration, and creativity.
4. Venue Rentals: Rental income from the 200-seat Bayfront Theatre and BATS Annex spaces for rehearsals, performances, conferences, and events.
5. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BATS receives tax-deductible donations and operates a matching donation program through employer matching gift programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BATS Improv produces and performs live improvised theatre shows at its 200-seat Bayfront Theatre in San Francisco, teaches improv classes through a six-level Foundational Series plus specialty and youth programs, and delivers Improv @Work corporate workshops on teambuilding, leadership, and innovation. The organization also rents the Bayfront Theatre and BATS Annex spaces to outside groups. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it supplements earned revenue with donations and grants.

Product overview

BATS Improv is a nonprofit improvised theatre company and school (501(c)(3)) founded in 1986, offering a portfolio of live theatre performances, improv education, and corporate training services. The core offerings consist of Live Theatre Performances (spontaneous improv shows in various formats and genres), the School of Improv (foundational through advanced training classes and intensives), and Improv @Work (corporate workshops for team development). Supporting services include theatre rentals, group tickets, scholarship programs, and gift cards. The company operates from the Bayfront Theatre at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Theatre Performances Spontaneously improvised theatrical shows performed live at the 200-seat Bayfront Theatre in San Francisco. Includes shortform Theatresports (scenes, songs, games, audience participation) and longform narrative genres (RomCom, Kung Fu, Film Noir, Broadway Musical). For Bay Area audiences seeking live entertainment.
• School of Improv (Classes) Improv training program with a six-level Foundational Series (Foundation 1 Mindset & Skillset through Foundation 6 Performance Showcase), plus specialty classes, August Intensives, Performance Labs, Sunday Jams, and youth programs. Taught by experienced coaches covering mindset, movement, character, scenework, narrative, and performance. For adults and youth learners from beginner to advanced.
• Improv @Work Corporate Training

Quantifiable outcome

• BATS Improv has been creating shows since 1986 with a unique style pioneered over 30+ years

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Fort Mason CentercoreOthersBATS operates from Fort Mason Center, a National Historic Landmark housing 40+ nonprofit organizations. BATS Bayfront Theatre and Annex are located in this waterfront complex between Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Mason Center hosts 1.5 million visitors annually.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Second City: The largest and most established improv comedy theatre and school in North America, with training centers, Main Stage shows, and corporate communications programs. Directly comparable to BATS in the improv theatre + school + corporate training model, though at much greater scale and geographic footprint.
• iO Theater: Long-running Chicago improv theatre and training center known for the Harold format and a robust school + corporate workshop business. Closely matches BATS's integrated performance, school, and corporate training offering.
• ComedySportz: Improv comedy league with multiple cities offering shortform competitive improv shows, classes, and corporate workshops. Closely comparable to BATS's Theatresports-style shortform shows and applied improv @Work offering.
• The Groundlings: Los Angeles-based improv and sketch comedy theatre and school, famous for training comedic talent. Mirrors BATS's model of in-house training programs, a company of performers, and a primary theatre venue.
• Upright Citizens Brigade: Improv comedy theatre and training center founded in New York with locations in NYC and LA, offering shows, a multi-level school, and corporate workshops. Directly comparable as an improv-first organization running performances, classes, and applied training.
• The Magnet Theater: NYC-based improv theatre offering shows, a multi-level training center, and corporate workshops. Comparable as an improv-first venue running a school and applied improv programs for businesses.

Regional players

• ImprovBoston: New England-based improv theatre and training center offering shows, classes, and corporate team-building. Comparable to BATS in combining a school, Main Stage company, and applied improv training business.
• Unexpected Productions: Seattle's longest-running improv theatre and school, operating out of the Market Theatre. Comparable to BATS as a regional improv theatre + school + corporate training nonprofit anchored to a single city.
• Jet City Improv: Seattle-area nonprofit improv theatre and school running shows, classes, and corporate workshops. Closely mirrors BATS's nonprofit, single-theatre, school-plus-corporate model.

Emerging players

• Applied Improvisation Network: Global network of practitioners applying improv methodologies to corporate, educational, and therapeutic contexts. Comparable as the broader ecosystem in which BATS's @Work corporate training business competes for applied improv mindshare.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/batsimprov
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bats-improv
• Instagraminstagram.com/batsimprov
• Xx.com/BATSimprov

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 BATS Improv