The Manila Improv Festival 2026 is back at the Proscenium Theater

Editor’s note: This press release is from The Manila Improv Festival and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.

Manila Improv Festival, Asia’s biggest festival for improvisational theater and comedy, returns for its seventh year happening on March 25 to 29 at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell.

Started in 2015 by SPIT Manila and its school Third World Improv, the Manila Improv Festival has earned an increasing following from local and international improvisers, enthusiasts, and fans. Recently, improv comedy has broken through mainstream media with the success of SPIT Manila and other improv groups on social media. The festival aims to make improvisation more accessible to a wider, more diverse audience than ever before.

This year’s Manila Improv Festival is produced by Sanghimig Performing Arts and Travel Consultancy in association with SPIT Manila and in partnership with Rockwell Center’s The Proscenium Theater. 

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP. This year’s Manila Improv Festival features more than 70 improv groups from the Philippines and other parts of the globe

“We are very excited to be part of this year’s Manila Improv Festival! Sanghimig is a firm believer in creating experiences that build and strengthen creative communities  across borders,” said Irvinne Redor, MIF 2026 festival director and producer. “It’s a privilege for us in shaping this global meeting point for improvisers that also provides a platform to showcase Filipino talent in the performing arts.”

With the theme of “Rise to the Moment”, Filipino audiences can expect over 70 improv groups from the Philippines and over 20 countries. 

SPIT Manila, together with dance group Galaw.Co Dance Theater and Drum Circle PH, will open the festival at the The Proscenium Main Stage, and throughout the festival will feature more Filipino improv groups such as Housekeeping Improv, Noted with Thanks, Isprikitik Improv, and Buwan ng Wika Improv performing at the The Proscenium Black Box Theater, and other pocket locations in the complex. 

CROWD FAVORITE. A photo of SPIT Manila’s Madame Oracle performing at the Manila Improv Festival 2023

Notable international improv groups performing at the MIF 2026 include Oshow (Japan), Landry and Summers (US), Formosa Improv Group (Taiwan), Beijing Improv (China), Improv Lore (India), The Joy Riders (Australia), Imfrog (South Korea), and Les Musicables (Singapore). 

The festival will also feature over 30 improv workshops held in several locations in Makati, and are facilitated by local and international improvisers spanning a wide range of improvisation theater and applied improv topics.

GLOBAL TALENTS. Singapore’s Improvper Conduct is one of the international groups joining the Manila Improv Fest 2026

“For most improvisers, the art form is so close to their heart – almost like home,” said Karl Echaluse, MIF 2026 artistic director. “That’s why we’re so excited to host again this year’s Manila Improv Festival as we get to experience our ‘home’ as well as bring together our improviser friends from all over the world and share our art here to Filipino audiences.”

The Manila Improv Festival is supported by Celeteque, Sunlife, GrabCar, GrabFood MoveIt, Australia’s Own, Ceres Fruit Juices, Evian, CDO Foodsphere, McDonald’s, and Nestle Kitkat, as well as hotel and event partners Aruga Residences, School of Fashion and the Arts, Araw Rewards, UNWND Boutique Hotel, What’s Your Poison?, Common Ground, Emperador, and Perfect Pint. 

GROWING COMMUNITY. Housekeeping Improv is one of the many acts part of MIF 2026, which aims to make improvisation more accessible to diverse audiences

Show tickets and limited workshop passes are currently on-sale at manilaimprovfestival.com/tickets. To be updated about the groups and schedules during MIF 2026, follow Manila Improv Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. – Rappler.com