A young stand-up comedian holding a microphone with his right hand and a paper in his left hand, wearing a sports t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, speaking into the microphone.

What’s so great about this festival?

Since 2015, this annual festival has provided an opportunity for comedy fans of all ages to see high-quality, original improv, sketch & stand-up comedy.

We believe that for any improv student, seeing live comedy improvised by trained, experienced performers is crucial to learning the form. You wouldn’t expect someone to learn about music without ever hearing it, would you?

festival staff

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with short, wavy hair, wearing a sleeveless top, outdoors with blurred foliage in the background.

    Kristin Henn

    FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, EXCUSED ABSENCE COMEDY

  • Black and white poster for a comedy festival titled 'Excused Absence' with a large caption 'Comedy Festival' at the bottom. Features a cat and a microphone, and an improv chair, with a sign 'All Ages,' and a sign for a live comedy event.

    Julia Lopez-Mobilia

    FEST CO-PRODUCER, DESIGNER, MERCH ENTHUSIAST

  • Black and white poster for a comedy festival titled 'Excused Absence' with a large caption 'Comedy Festival' at the bottom. Features a cat and a microphone, and an improv chair, with a sign 'All Ages,' and a sign for a live comedy event.

    MORE SOON

    THERE ARE SO MANY HELPERS, THEY’LL BE HERE SOON

How to have the best fest

We encourage folks to come out and stay all day! Here is how you can make the most of it. More questions?

See our FAQs or send us an email.

Park for free in ColdTowne’s lot or find free street parking right outside our gate

Bring your own snacks, or purchase them in the lobby

Stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle and refill it all day long

Walk to yummy local restaurants and coffee shops during show breaks

Join in on all ages group warm-ups, jams and open mics for free!

Play giant connect 4 on ColdTowne’s shady patio

FAQs

  • Shows are organized into 50-minute blocks. Although blocks will vary, most blocks feature three acts: A youth act, an Offspring (adult + kid) act, and a top-notch adult act. Some blocks are all Improv, and some blocks contain stand-up and or sketch.

  • Tickets can be purchased for single shows, or you can purchase an All Show Badge for $25 and get access to all shows during the weekend.

  • Youth who attend shows on their own need to be capable of enjoying the festival independently!

  • Bring a water bottle if you are staying all day! Snacks are for sale in the lobby, but it’s fine to bring food in. There are also several great restaurants in walking distance.

  • Troupe Directors/Teachers should be in touch with details regarding Call-Times, etc. Players do not need to purchase a ticket for a block in which they perform. Please visit the Information for Performers page for general performer guidelines.

  • Volunteer! We still need help and would super appreciate your time. Check out the Volunteer page for details.

    Watch Shows. Hang out. Take a Workshop. They really are for everyone. We know, you’ve done your time and seen a bunch of your children’s shows and we know you’ve got a lot going on. But this festival is not a series of recitals. This is a legit comedy situation.

we ♥︎ our Volunteers

Want to get involved? We need volunteers! Best of all, Volunteers get an all-shows festival badge!

  • These volunteers will spend two or more hours at these tables. Their duties are primarily assisting performers & audience members with check-in, directions, merch and ticket sales. Schedules are determined on an individual basis.

  • These volunteers are the glue that makes the festival happen. They make sure communication is happening between the various parts of the operation. They are the people who can tell you what time it is and what that means.

  • Do you enjoy the sound of your own voice? We’ve got just the job for you!

  • Do you enjoy telling strangers where to sit? Asking them to show you a ticket? Pointing to the bathroom? This is the job for you!

  • Are you a parent or responsible teenager who longs for insight into the mysterious machinations of backstage organization? We need you. (Spoiler Alert: It’s mostly asking our younger performers to stop rolling around on wheeled chairs).

  • These volunteers will pitch in throughout the day and (fingers crossed!) help us clean up before we leave the theater. These volunteers are the most loved of all.

Interested in volunteering?

Contact us at exabimprov@gmail.com, 512 809 0017 or fill out this handy form: