The Hideout Theatre
The Hideout Theatre is Austin's longest-running improv theater (founded 1999), producing live fully improvised comedy shows and offering a 9-level improv education curriculum, youth programs, corporate training, and theatre consulting for individual consumers, families, and corporate clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Hideout Theatre does
The Hideout Theatre is a privately held, Austin-based improv theater and school founded in 1999 by Roy Janik, operating as Austin's longest-running improvisational theater. The company produces live, fully improvised comedy shows every Thursday through Sunday across multiple formats including shortform games, longform narrative, and genre-based improvisation, with flagship shows such as Maestro, PGraph (Parallelogramophonograph), Glitter Witch, and The Improvised Movie. Its underlying "technology" is human performance craft — no scripts, no pre-planning — supported by a proprietary 9-level progressive curriculum, a free intro class funnel, and specialty workshops (musical improv, narrative, storytelling), plus youth programs for ages 5-18 including the Hideout Kids show and summer camps. The venue also runs community engagement programs including Sunday Jams (BIPOC, Femme, Pride, Narrative, Singing, Shakespeare) and a diversity scholarship program.
Monetization spans four streams: ticket sales at $5-$20 per show, adult and youth classes at $224-$355 per multi-week course, corporate training and private shows through the Hideout At Work program ($800-$2,100 per event) and theatre consulting ($75-$600 per session). The company serves individual consumers seeking entertainment or performance training, families enrolling children in youth programs, and corporate clients including Whole Foods, the University of Texas, and National Instruments seeking team-building and professional development. In March 2026, after 26 years at a downtown Congress Avenue location, the company was forced to relocate to a smaller 35-40-seat annex space in North-Central Austin and is currently running a community crowdfunding campaign to raise $500,000-$600,000 for renovation of a more permanent home. Ownership remains concentrated among three co-owners — Roy Janik (Artistic Director), Kareem Badr (Managing Director), and Jessica Arjet (Youth Director) — with no external institutional investment.
The Hideout Theatre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Hideout Theatre
- Legal name
- The Hideout Theatre
- Website
- https://www.hideouttheatre.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Hideout Theatre is Austin's longest-running improv theater (founded 1999), producing live fully improvised comedy shows and offering a 9-level improv education curriculum, youth programs, corporate training, and theatre consulting for individual consumers, families, and corporate clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Hideout Theatre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Improv Theater and Comedy School
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Community & Amateur Theatre (MPAGABAD)
Keywords
Where The Hideout Theatre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Hideout Theatre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Live Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for improv shows including Maestro, PGraph, Glitter Witch, The Improvised Movie, Hideout Kids, and Student Showcases. Ticket prices range from $5-$20.
- Improv Classes and Workshops: Multi-level class programs (Levels 1-9) and specialty workshops including musical improv, narrative, and storytelling. Classes range from free intro sessions to $355 for advanced workshops.
- Corporate Training and Private Events: The Hideout At Work program offers team building and corporate training for companies. Private shows range from $800-$2100 based on audience size.
- Theatre Consulting: Professional consulting services on theatre topics including youth programs, business operations, artistic direction, visual design, and special needs programming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Show Tickets |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Discounted Tickets |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Hideout Supporter Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | New Game Plus Workshop |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Level One Classes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Level Two-Nine Classes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Improvised Song Structure Workshop |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Shows |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Theatre Consulting |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Intro Classes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Hideout Theatre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Hideout Theatre operates a live improvisational theater and improv school in Austin, Texas, producing fully improvised shows (shortform games, longform scenes, narrative plays) every Thursday through Sunday. It sells tickets to public performances, runs a multi-level adult improv class program (Levels 1-9) plus specialty workshops and Sunday Jams, and offers youth/family classes and summer camps. Separately, it delivers corporate team-building, private shows, and theatre consulting through its dedicated Hideout At Work program.
Product overview
The Hideout Theatre is Austin's longest-running improv theater and school (since 1999), operating as a live performance venue combined with a comprehensive improv education institution. The company offers a unified portfolio of products organized around three pillars: (1) Live Improv Shows including Maestro, PGraph, Glitter Witch, The Improvised Movie, Hideout Kids, and Student Showcases; (2) Improv Education spanning Level One through Level Nine, Free Intro classes, Specialty Workshops, and Sunday Jams; and (3) Corporate and Consulting Services including Hideout At Work team building, Theatre Consulting, and Private Shows. The organization also maintains a Diversity Scholarship Program to increase accessibility. All shows and performances are fully improvised with no scripts, utilizing various formats including shortform games, longform narrative, and genre-based improvisation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hideout At Work: Corporate team building and professional development program bringing improv principles into the business world. Works with hundreds of companies around the country.
- Hideout Annex
- Hideout Kids
- Maestro
- PGraph (Parallelogramophonograph)
- Glitter Witch
- The Improvised Movie
Products and services
- Maestro Weekly improv competition show featuring twelve virtuoso comedians performing games and scenes based on audience suggestions, culminating in one performer being crowned Maestro. Ticket prices range from $12-$20.
- PGraph (Parallelogramophonograph) Award-winning resident improv troupe specializing in improvising full-length plays with genre-based improvisation ranging from delightful to dark and sinister. Performs every Friday at 10pm. Ticket prices $10-$12.
- Glitter Witch B. Iden Payne Award-winning improv troupe featuring three Austin comedians who create connected scenes based on audience suggestions. Ticket prices $8-$15.
- The Improvised Movie Mainstage production where performers create an entire improvised movie on stage, using audience suggestions to fuel plot, characters, and all elements of a film. Ticket prices $12-$18.
- Hideout Kids Family-friendly improv show (formerly The Flying Theater Machine) where young audience members provide suggestions and performers create interactive stories. Named Best Kid-Friendly Theatre by Austin Chronicle in 2015. Ticket prices $5-$10.
- Student Showcase Recitals where improv students perform for friends and family, demonstrating skills learned in their respective levels (Storytelling, Levels 2-9). Ticket prices $5-$15.
- Level One - Intro to Improvisation Six-week beginner workshop teaching the fundamentals of improv, designed for anyone wanting to loosen up, be more spontaneous, and learn to take risks on stage and in life. Prices: Regular $250, Supporter $265, Discount $224.
- Levels Two-Nine (Advanced Training) Progressive advanced curriculum covering Playing Games (Level 2), Playing Scenes (Level 3), Performance Feedback (Level 4), Performing Montage (Level 5), Special Formats (Level 6), Intro to Narrative Longform (Level 7), Genre Training (Level 8), and Graduation (Level 9). Prices $250-$333 regular; $265-$355 supporter.
- Free Improv Class 90-minute free sample class giving prospective students a taste of improv training before committing to Level One, with an optional $7 supporter donation.
- Specialty Workshops Short-term intensives on specific topics including Improvised Song Structure (~$270), Narrative Jams, Storytelling, Deep Spacework, New Game Plus ($333), and sessions with visiting instructors from other theaters.
- Sunday Jams Weekly free-form improv community jams held every Sunday at the Hideout Annex, including Shortform Jam, BIPOC Jam, Femme Jam, Pride Jam, Narrative Jam, Singing Jam, and Shakespeare Jam.
- Hideout At Work Corporate team building and professional development program bringing improv's spirit of support and collaboration into the workplace, serving hundreds of companies nationwide through workshops, virtual team building, and training.
- Theatre Consulting Professional consulting services covering Youth Improv Programs, Business of Running a Theater, Artistic Direction, Visual Design and Marketing, Classes and Community, and Improv for Special Needs. Pricing: In-person $600/day, In-town hourly $100/hour, Email/Zoom $75/hour.
- Kids and Family Improv Classes Year-round improv instruction for children and teens including spring and fall semesters, after-school programs, and week-long summer camps for ages 5-18, plus the Building Connections program for youth on the autism spectrum.
- Private Shows Customizable live improv performances for corporate events, parties, and special occasions, available at the theater or on-location. Pricing tiers: Under 20 people $800, 21-35 $1050, 36-50 $1350, 51-75 $1650, 76-95 $2100.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25 years of continuous operation as Austin's longest-running improv theater
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Hideout Theatre
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Hideout Theatre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Hideout Theatre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Whole FoodsminorCorporate client for team building and training programs through The Hideout At Work program. One of several major organizations that have utilized Hideout's corporate training services.
- The University of TexasminorUniversity client for corporate training and team building programs. One of several major organizations utilizing Hideout At Work services.
- National InstrumentsminorTechnology company client for team building and professional development programs through The Hideout At Work.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Hideout Theatre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ColdTowne Theater: Another long-running Austin improv theater and training center offering shows, classes, and corporate team-building. ColdTowne is the most direct local peer to The Hideout, competing for the same Austin improv audiences, students, and corporate clients with overlapping curriculum structures.
- The Institution Theater: Austin-based improv and sketch comedy theater running shows, classes, and corporate programs. The Institution competes head-to-head with The Hideout in the same metro for improv students, performers, and corporate training dollars, with comparable long-form and short-form programming.
- Esther's Follies: Austin's iconic sketch and improv comedy theater running long-form revue shows for over 40 years. Esther's competes with The Hideout for Austin live comedy audiences and corporate private event bookings, blending scripted sketch with improvised segments in a similar theatrical format.
- Cap City Comedy Club: Austin comedy club presenting stand-up, sketch, and improv shows with a full bar and ticketed performances. Competes with The Hideout for Austin live entertainment dollars and corporate group entertainment bookings, though with a stand-up rather than improv focus.
Broad incumbents
- Second City: The Chicago-based improv giant with theaters, training centers, corporate programs, and touring shows. Comparable to The Hideout in core activity (improv shows, classes, corporate training, consulting) but operates at vastly larger scale across multiple cities and a broader entertainment portfolio including scripted productions.
- iO Theater: Chicago improv theater and training school with long-form focus, multi-level classes, and corporate programming. Directly comparable to The Hideout's curriculum and show formats, but operates at a larger scale and has produced numerous high-profile alumni, positioning it as the broad incumbent in long-form improv.
- The Groundlings: Los Angeles improv and sketch comedy theater offering progressive classes, mainstage shows, and corporate training. Overlaps with The Hideout on multilevel improv education, sketch/improv shows, and corporate team-building, but operates at larger scale with broader sketch comedy programming.
- Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre: Improv and sketch comedy theater with locations in New York and Los Angeles, offering shows, training center, and corporate programs. Directly comparable business model to The Hideout (shows + multi-level classes + corporate work) but at significantly larger scale with multiple permanent venues.
Emerging players
- ComedySportz: Improvised comedy theater franchise with short-form competitive format, running shows and workshops across multiple cities. Comparable to The Hideout's short-form programming (Maestro uses a similar competitive games format) and educational offerings, with a more standardized franchised model.
Regional players
- Stages Theatre Company: Austin's regional theater presenting scripted plays, musicals, and new works with an in-house education program. Less directly comparable on improv (scripted focus) but competes for the same Austin arts audiences, education dollars, and corporate entertainment partnerships, representing an adjacent regional performing arts peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Hideout Theatre social profiles
Digital presenceThe Hideout Theatre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Hideout Theatre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Hideout Theatre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Hideout Theatre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Hideout Theatre
What does The Hideout Theatre do?
The Hideout Theatre operates a live improvisational theater and improv school in Austin, Texas, producing fully improvised shows (shortform games, longform scenes, narrative plays) every Thursday through Sunday. It sells tickets to public performances, runs a multi-level adult improv class program (Levels 1-9) plus specialty workshops and Sunday Jams, and offers youth/family classes and summer camps. Separately, it delivers corporate team-building, private shows, and theatre consulting through its dedicated Hideout At Work program.
Is The Hideout Theatre a public or private company?
The Hideout Theatre is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Hideout Theatre founded?
The Hideout Theatre was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Hideout Theatre based?
The Hideout Theatre is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Hideout Theatre make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Live Performance Tickets are the primary driver. The others are improv Classes and Workshops, corporate Training and Private Events and theatre Consulting.
Who are The Hideout Theatre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ColdTowne Theater, The Institution Theater, Esther's Follies and Cap City Comedy Club. Broad incumbents are Second City, iO Theater, The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. ComedySportz is listed as an emerging player. Stages Theatre Company is listed as a regional player.
Does The Hideout Theatre have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Hideout Theatre.
What industry is The Hideout Theatre in?
The Hideout Theatre's product category is Live Improv Theater and Comedy School. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAJ, Improvisational Theatre, with a secondary code of MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 71111 and its SIC code is 7990.