Kickstand Comedy
Kickstand Comedy is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a comedy theater and training center that offers improv, stand-up, sketch, and specialty classes, ticketed live shows, free outdoor Comedy in the Park events, and corporate team-building training.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kickstand Comedy does
Kickstand Comedy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comedy theater and training center based in Portland, Oregon, founded in 2014 by Dylan Reiff and Kara Moore. The organization operates a single physical venue at 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd — the former Brody Theater building, renovated via an April 2019 Kickstarter campaign that raised over $34,000 — and runs a parallel free outdoor summer series, Comedy in the Park, at Laurelhurst Park now in its sixth consecutive season (2026). Programming spans four disciplines: improv, stand-up, sketch, and experimental 'weird' comedy formats.
The core product portfolio comprises ticketed live shows at the venue, the free outdoor Comedy in the Park series, and a structured comedy education curriculum. The education offering includes a five-level improv track (Levels 1-5 plus Advanced Study), specialty classes in Sketch, Stand-Up, Clown, Solo Performance, and Storytelling, and a dedicated BIPOC Comedy Program that is free or pay-what-you-will through Level 3, with scholarships bridging students into higher levels. The 'Hire Us' corporate improv and team-building training program adds a B2B services arm. Distribution is omnichannel but localized: direct ticketing via Crowdwork and Fourth Wall Tickets, email newsletter, Instagram, XRAY.fm radio (The Aardvark Hour, Kickin' Off Your Weekend), and earned press from Willamette Week and Portland Mercury.
Revenue is generated from four streams: live show ticket sales (transaction fees), 6-week comedy class sessions (one-time fees), corporate training (professional services fees), and donations and sponsorships (501(c)(3) fundraising). The customer base is structurally diversified across individual students, general-public show attendees, free outdoor audiences, and corporate clients, with no proprietary technology platform or AI/ML capabilities underpinning operations. Leadership comprises Executive Director Paul Stein (former Comedy Central Executive Producer), Educational Programs Manager Kristen Schier (formerly Co-Artistic Director of Curious Comedy and Improv Producer at Philly Improv Theater), and Programming Manager Michael Zimmer, supported by a 10-member Board of Directors.
Kickstand Comedy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kickstand Comedy
- Legal name
- Kickstand Comedy
- Website
- https://kickstandcomedy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Kickstand Comedy is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a comedy theater and training center that offers improv, stand-up, sketch, and specialty classes, ticketed live shows, free outdoor Comedy in the Park events, and corporate team-building training.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kickstand Comedy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Comedy Entertainment & Training
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- 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), Stand-Up Comedy Shows (MPAGACAA), Comedy Club & Showcase Nights (MPAGACAE)
Keywords
Where Kickstand Comedy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kickstand Comedy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Live Comedy Shows: Revenue generated from ticket sales to live comedy shows at the venue and outdoor Comedy in the Park events. Show types include improv, stand-up, sketch, and specialty performances.
- Comedy Classes and Training: Revenue from multi-level improv classes (Levels 1-5 plus Advanced Study), specialty classes (Sketch, Stand-Up, Clown, Solo Performance, Storytelling), and BIPOC comedy program. Classes run in 6-week sessions with 2.5 hours of instruction per week.
- Corporate Training: Corporate improv and team-building training services offered to businesses under the 'Hire Us' program.
- Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Kickstand accepts donations to support programs including Comedy in the Park, class scholarships, and accessibility initiatives. The outdoor summer series is supported by community sponsors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Level 1-5 Improv Classes (6 weeks each) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Advanced Study Classes (6 weeks) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Specialty Classes (Sketch, Stand-Up, Clown, etc.) |
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | BIPOC Comedy Program (Levels 1-3) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Scholarships |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Kickstand Comedy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kickstand Comedy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comedy theater and training center in Portland, Oregon that presents live comedy shows, multi-level improv and specialty comedy classes, and community-based programs. It runs a permanent venue at 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd and the free outdoor summer series Comedy in the Park at Laurelhurst Park, with a dedicated BIPOC Comedy Program and a separate 'Hire Us' corporate improv training service.
Product overview
Kickstand Comedy is a nonprofit comedy theater and training center in Portland, Oregon offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include: a comprehensive comedy class curriculum (improv Levels 1-5, Advanced Study, specialty classes in Sketch/Stand-Up/Clown/Storytelling, and a dedicated BIPOC Comedy Program with scholarship support); ticketed live comedy shows featuring improv, stand-up, sketch, and experimental formats; and a free outdoor summer series called Comedy in the Park. The organization also provides corporate/improv-based training services through its 'HIRE US' program. All offerings are connected by the organization's mission to eliminate barriers to comedy participation and support diverse voices in the Portland comedy community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Comedy in the Park: A free outdoor comedy series held every Friday during summer at Laurelhurst Park in Portland, now in its 6th season.
- BIPOC Comedy Program
Products and services
- Comedy Classes Multi-level improv and specialty comedy training programs for adults including a five-level improv track (Levels 1-5 plus Advanced Study) and specialty classes in Sketch, Stand-Up, Clown, Solo Performance, Storytelling, and Acting. Classes run in 6-week sessions with 2.5 hours of weekly instruction and culminate in class shows for Levels 1-3.
- Comedy in the Park Free outdoor summer comedy series held every Friday from June through September at Laurelhurst Park in Portland, featuring local and touring comedians performing clean, family-friendly material. Blankets drop at 6pm and the show begins at 6:30pm; the 2026 season is the 6th consecutive year.
- Live Comedy Shows Ticketed live comedy performances held at the Kickstand Comedy venue featuring improv, stand-up, sketch, and experimental 'weird' comedy formats performed by local and visiting comedians.
- Corporate Training Improv-based team-building and professional development training marketed as the 'Hire Us' program, applying comedy and improv techniques to improve team cohesion, communication, and creative thinking for business and organizational clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6th season of Comedy in the Park, running every Friday June-September
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kickstand Comedy
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Kickstand Comedy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Kickstand Comedy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Outside IncoreNon-profit health and social services organization. Kickstand has consistently hosted and helped Outside In raise money since its creation.
- Planned ParenthoodcoreReproductive health and advocacy organization. Kickstand has hosted fundraising events for Planned Parenthood.
- Animal AidminorPortland-based animal welfare nonprofit. Kickstand has helped raise money for Animal Aid through comedy events.
- ACLUcoreAmerican Civil Liberties Union civil rights organization. Kickstand has hosted fundraising events for the ACLU.
- Hollywood TheatrecorePortland independent movie theater and arts venue. Listed as a community partner and sponsor of Comedy in the Park.
- XRAY.fmcorePortland community radio station. Hosts The Aardvark Hour with Kickstand Comedy and Comedy in the Park sponsors. Kickin' Off Your Weekend show also airs on XRAY.fm.
- Portland MercurycorePortland alternative weekly newspaper. Press partner and sponsor for Comedy in the Park. Provides media coverage and promotional support.
- Portland ParkscoreCity of Portland Parks & Recreation. Partner for Comedy in the Park outdoor event series held at Laurelhurst Park.
- Travel PortlandminorPortland tourism organization. Sponsors Comedy in the Park.
- BiketownminorPortland bike share program. Sponsor encouraging sustainable transportation to Comedy in the Park.
- Portland Art MuseumminorMajor Portland cultural institution. Community partner organization.
- CrowdworkcoreTicketing and event management platform. Official ticketing partner for Kickstand shows and Comedy in the Park.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Kickstand Comedy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Second City: Long-established Chicago-based comedy theater with training centers, scripted shows, and corporate training. Comparable improv training curriculum; much larger and broader portfolio than Kickstand's specialized nonprofit focus.
- iO Theater: Chicago improv theater and training school where co-founder Kara Moore previously performed. Comparable long-form improv training curriculum; operates as a larger commercial incumbent.
- The Groundlings: LA-based improv and sketch comedy training center and theater. Comparable multi-level training program structure and performer-development pipeline model.
- Annoyance Theater: Chicago-based improv and sketch comedy theater with classes and shows. Co-founder Dylan Reiff began his improv career here; comparable alternative/comedic voice orientation.
- Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre: NYC/LA improv comedy theater with training centers and shows; co-founders Dylan Reiff and Kara Moore both trained/performed here. Directly comparable improv pedagogy at much larger commercial scale.
Direct peers
- Curious Comedy: Portland-based nonprofit improv and sketch comedy theater offering classes, shows, and community programming. Most directly comparable to Kickstand given shared city, nonprofit status, and improv-focused curriculum — Kristen Schier was previously Co-Artistic Director here.
- Philly Improv Theater: Philadelphia improv theater offering classes, performances, and community programming. Directly comparable multi-level training-plus-show model; Kristen Schier previously served as Improv Producer here.
- Unexpected Productions: Seattle-based improv theater and training center running shows, classes, and corporate training. Regional Pacific Northwest peer with similar nonprofit-adjacent structure and multi-level improv curriculum.
- Improv Asylum: Comedy theater and training center operating shows, classes, and corporate team-building. Comparable on the training-plus-corporate-training revenue mix that Kickstand is pursuing.
- ComedySportz: Network of improv comedy theaters across multiple U.S. cities offering shows, classes, and training. Comparable on format (improv-driven shows) and training-center business model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kickstand Comedy social profiles
Digital presenceKickstand Comedy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kickstand Comedy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Kickstand Comedy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kickstand Comedy 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 Kickstand Comedy
What does Kickstand Comedy do?
Kickstand Comedy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comedy theater and training center in Portland, Oregon that presents live comedy shows, multi-level improv and specialty comedy classes, and community-based programs. It runs a permanent venue at 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd and the free outdoor summer series Comedy in the Park at Laurelhurst Park, with a dedicated BIPOC Comedy Program and a separate 'Hire Us' corporate improv training service.
Is Kickstand Comedy a public or private company?
Kickstand Comedy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Kickstand Comedy founded?
Kickstand Comedy was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Kickstand Comedy based?
Kickstand Comedy is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kickstand Comedy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Live Comedy Shows are the primary driver. The others are comedy Classes and Training, corporate Training and donations and Sponsorships.
Who are Kickstand Comedy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Second City, iO Theater, The Groundlings, Annoyance Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Direct peers are Curious Comedy, Philly Improv Theater, Unexpected Productions, Improv Asylum and ComedySportz.
Does Kickstand Comedy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kickstand Comedy.
What industry is Kickstand Comedy in?
Kickstand Comedy's product category is Live Comedy Entertainment & Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAJ, Improvisational Theatre, with a secondary code of MPAGACAB, Improv Comedy Performances. Its NAICS code is 611620 and its SIC code is 7900.