Name: The Hideout Theatre
Telephone: (512) 443-3688

Austin’s downtown venue for improvised theatre and comedy. Shows, classes and professional development.

The Hideout Theatre hosts improv comedy shows every weekend, Thursday-Sunday. Something for everyone, including a kids’ show on Sunday afternoons! Start your night with some fantastic improv, right in the heart of downtown Austin, TX.

We are in the business of improvisational theatre, and have been since 1999. We make up all our shows on the spot. We showcase many different kinds of improv: short form (games like you might see on Whose Line is it Anyway?), long form (longer scenes that feature relationship and character work) or narrative (a full-length play made up on the spot).

We teach many levels of improv classes, weeknights and weekends, for adults as well as children and teens.

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(512) 443-3688

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**Update: The Hideout is at a new location and no longer downtown. Read more to see why**

I’ve been going to the Hideout Theatre for over 24 years. Since I was a young teen. I’ve performed there and worked there, and it’s a second home for me. Fantastic people, shows, and classes, and we all loved our downtown space. We kept things affordable as everything got expensive around us. No one got rich here, but our lives are all better for what we learned and made in this creative space.

In March of 2026, after 26 years, we were forced to leave as a lawyer bought the building in order to turn the whole space into another bar and canceled the lease.

We are now open at a new location (Google won’t update this listing yet, I don’t know why) at 5555 N. Lamar Blvd, B103
Austin, TX 78751. In the same complex as the Goodwill and Half Price Books – to the left of the Goodwill. If you look up “Hideout Annex” you can find it. It was a classroom space we’ve turned into a little theatre and lounge where you can see affordable and delightful shows.

If you see my review, please heart it so others can see this info and find us again. We’re a true Hideout now. This place means so much to so many. All are welcome. Come join in!
Kaci Beeler , 1 month ago
Super fun improv comedy shows happen here. It’s small but intimate with the audience. I had the best time. Definitely a hidden gem for comedy clubs. I love that there is a cafe below the theatre so you can grab what you want prior to going up. Reasonably priced shows.
Krista Clement , 4 months ago
The Hideout blew us away! This improv show was hands-down one of the best we’ve ever seen. The performers were incredibly talented and had the whole room laughing nonstop all night. You could really feel the energy and creativity from the stage—each scene was funnier than the last. At just $15 per person, it felt like a steal. Honestly, I would’ve paid double for the kind of experience we had. The staff was welcoming, the vibe was great, and the whole night was just pure joy. Can’t wait to come back!
Shannon Felder , 1 year ago
This is an improv show, and for the first timers like me who saw the Saturday 9:30 PM show who don’t know what to expect, it is as follows:

Location: Will take you to a coffee shop they run, but the box office and actual theater is at the back of the building. It’s first come first serve seating, so get there at least 10 mins early before doors open (5 mins before the show starts) to ensure you get seating with friends/family.

Setup: There are 12 improv actor/actressss (all that have taken classes through this theater and have varying levels of experience), that compete in various different skits. The organizers will draw random numbers and different actors who have their number called will come on stage and perform a skit assigned by the organizer (for example, a group of clowns in the circus). Audience feedback will be collected on a scale of 1-5 (5 bring the best) by clapping, and the actors will get points (also audience members are highly involved in participating in the show). After every actor has gone once, points are summed up and the lowest performers are eliminated. This continues on for several rounds until one performer is left standing and crowned improv king/queen of the night. In total this lasts about 1.5 hours, no intermission. Based on the performance and language, I would not recommend bringing younger kids.

Rating: 9/10. Very comfy place, easily good location in downtown Austin. Parking is street parking or the garages and wasn’t too bad for a Saturday night. Organizers were good and controlled the pace well, AV team was top notch and always had great timing with their music and lights. Some of the performers were clearly more experienced than others and it showed. Wished a couple of the stronger performers had a chance to perform together, but that’s okay. It was still pretty fun and I even got to perform on stage in one of the skits, so that was a cool experience. Would highly recommend for those that want to see a different style of comedy and a fun competition based theme.
Edward Cao , 1 year ago
I have taken all 6 levels of classes at the Hideout Theatre and can honestly say it was some of the best money I have ever spent. At first I just thought it would be something fun, and then I went down the wormhole and discovered an art form that is magical, amazing fun, and a great way to build community and make new friends.

The theatre is enormously supportive of new improvisers and there are loads of opportunities to perform at the theatre for those that desire. Also, you have student showcases at the end of each level (except level 1) and the opportunity to build your performing skills. The teachers here are all excellent and regularly perform (so you know they got actual skills!)

Experienced improvisers are very encouraging to new ones, and I remember being encouraged to audition for a show that I was way under qualified for, but the director still made me feel welcome and not like a complete idiot when I fudged my monologue for the audition!

Check them out, it is amazing fun.

I continue to perform here and participate in all the great events they have including but not limited to:

Improv Marathon – every June
OOB Fest – every Labor Day/weekend/week
Maestro – every Saturday night
Monthly happy hours/mixers
Heather M. , 11 years ago
I have seen a few shows at the Hideout and always had a blast!

My daughter attended the summer camp there and really loved it. She was on the younger end of the group but felt very confident going every day, made friends, laughed and played a lot of games. The instructors seemed excellent and really gave her the attention and entertainment she needed to enjoy herself!
Julie L. , 11 years ago
Hilarious! We went to an hour long murder mystery performance that was part of their 46 hour improv marathon. This was our first time here and the show was hilarious! The actors were good and funny! And to top it off, tickets were only $5 each!
Rashi J. , 11 years ago
I’ve seen 2 shows here, and the comedians are extremely talented! Plus they sold drinks at happy hour prices during the show – bonus! The most recent one I saw (Austin Secrets) was a combination of funny and real/dramatic/moving skits. I was impressed at how well they could move back and forth between making you want to laugh and cry.

The theatre room itself is a bit warm and stuffy, and they could use a little more space for seating (but couldn’t we all use more space in Austin?) Intermission is a welcome reprieve for some fresh air. That being said, it’s still great fun, and I’m totally going back! 🙂
Katie C. , 11 years ago
This is good entertainment.

I went to see “Austin Secrets” and the experimentation in the craft and the stage skills are remarkable. These actors know how to take a stage without hesitation. Good timing, good presence, and wonderful way to read an audience. I would recommend checking them out to any seasoned or new improv performer.

Great job!
David E. , 11 years ago

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