House Team Program
Fostering the next generation of Pittsburgh improv.
Our House Team program is designed to foster the next generation of improv talent in Pittsburgh.
Join us on Friday nights to witness the brilliance of our house teams. Whether you’re a long-time fan of improv or new to the scene, these teams offer an evening of unpredictable, high-energy comedy that will leave you laughing long after the show ends.
About House Teams
Improv comedy has a rich and vibrant history, tracing its roots back to the legendary stages of places like Second City in Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. These pioneering theaters revolutionized comedy by embracing the art of improvisation—creating comedy on the fly, without a script, relying on the performers’ wit and audience’s imagination. House teams at these iconic venues have nurtured countless comedic talents, offering a playground for comedians to hone their craft, take creative risks, and grow as performers.
The purpose of house teams is to create a consistent platform where a group of dedicated performers can develop a unique comedic voice and chemistry, performing regularly to build their skills and connect with audiences. At Arcade Comedy Theater, our house teams are the backbone of our improv programming. They embody the spirit of spontaneity, creativity, and collaboration that makes improv such a magical experience.
Arcade Comedy Theater’s House Team Program is designed to foster the next generation of improv talent in Pittsburgh. Some teams have a concentrated duration of 12 weeks and are coached based on a show concept. Other teams have a longer duration and practice a specific form for several months. House team shows are on Friday nights, usually at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. The teams also get performance opportunities in other shows on Arcade’s stages, such as Co-Workers, Under the Radar, and form-specific Thursday night shows like Speedrun and Musical Improv Night.
2026-2027 House Teams
The Bridge Crew
The Bridge Crew is a 12-week, long-form team that performs in Laugh Long and Prosper, an improvised sci-fi adventure show.
Cast: Hillary Niblock, Avery Maycock, Mike Madsen, Ryan Nuzzo, Charlie Kanter, Justin Baumgarten, Lily Grbach, Lisa Baker, Christina Powers, and Andy Fennick.
Coach: Kevin Flinn
Producer: Andy Fennick
Grand Theft Alto
A musical improv team.
Cast: Paddy Bresnahan, Anna Failla, Victoria Kallsen, Danielle Kemick, Sarah McDavis, Plumm Mullins, Bob Rudenborg, and Tabitha Topham.
Coach: Kevin O’Brien
Undercover Peanut Butter
A short-form improv team.
Cast: Alex Bastianini, Elliott Beach, Leandro Bilello, Misty Lynne Cauthen, Erin Green, Arnab Guha Biswas, Val Koester, Sydnei Lewis, Mary Quick, Matt Solter, and Anthony Zabiegalski.
Coach: Beth Geatches
Harold House Team A
A long-form team that performs a 3-beat Harold structure.
Sign up for the September 2026 auditions by clicking here!
Coach: Raina Deerwater
Harold House Team B
A long-form team that performs a 3-beat Harold structure.
Sign up for the September 2026 auditions by clicking here!
Coach: Olivia Hartle
Tempest
A 12-week, long-form improv team performing a narrative set with a big shift or tempest midway. This form was first developed by the 2025 Arcade Academy IMPROV 310 class.
Coach: Connor McCanlus
Producer: Will Snavely
2025-2026 House Teams
The Allegheny Story Society
An advanced-level, long-form improv team with performances in the House Team Spotlight show.
Danger Stage
An advanced-level, short-form improv team with performances in the House Team Spotlight show.
Horse Divorce
A long-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
Hostile Makeover
A long-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
Ready or Not
A short-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
2024-2025 House Teams
Danger Stage
A short-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
Grave Sugar
A long-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
Most Murderous Cat
A short-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
Scam Likely
A long-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.
WORM
A long-form improv team with performances in the House Team Hot Spot.