ImprovFestivals.orgDramatic Improv Festival
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 20-23, 2026 |
| Location | Chicago, IL, USA |
| Language | English |
| Organizer | Theatre Momentum |
| Website | dramaticimprovfest.com |
| The Dramatic Improv Festival | |
| @dramaticimprovfest |
Overview
The Dramatic Improv Festival (DIF) is a four-day celebration of emotionally grounded and narratively rich improvisation, held annually in Chicago. Produced by Theatre Momentum - Chicago's only theatre dedicated exclusively to dramatic improvisation - the 2026 edition features 28 shows, 20 workshops, and over 100 performers.
Founded in 2019 by Tony Rielage, artistic director of Theatre Momentum, the festival grew out of the Dramatic Improv Worldwide Facebook group, which demonstrated strong demand for this style of work. As Rielage has described it, DIF is "an entire festival dedicated to the art of improvisation as seen through the lens of drama," emphasizing honesty, vulnerability, and bravery in performance.
Headliners
The 2026 lineup spans 28 groups across seven sessions at The Edge Theater, including Las Tinas Improvised Telenovelas, Improvised Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poeprov, and Thrice the Drama (NYC). All shows $20 via CrowdWork.
Submissions
Performance and workshop applications for DIF 2026 closed May 10, 2026 (extended from the original April 30 cutoff). Workshop instructors set their own pricing and receive 70% of class fees.