ImprovFestivals.orgOcean State Black & Funny Improv Festival
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 24-27, 2026 |
| Edition | 6th Annual |
| Location | Wakefield, RI, USA |
| Language | English |
| Founded | 2021 by John Gebretatose |
| Organizer | The Contemporary Theater Company |
| Website | contemporarytheatercompany.com |
| Ocean State Black and Funny Improv Festival | |
| @oceanstateblackandfunny |
Overview
The Ocean State Black & Funny Improv Festival is an annual celebration of Black improvisers held each fall at The Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Co-founded in 2021 by John Gebretatose, the festival brings together troupes and performers from across the country for nightly headliner shows, guest troupes, mixer performances, and workshops in improv, stand-up comedy, and freestyle rap.
The festival's mission is "to create an improv world where all are welcome to celebrate ourselves, learn from our differences, and build each other up while sharing in a space that is respectful and generous to all." It is a sibling event to the Ocean State Improv Festival held earlier in the year at the same venue.
Submissions
Submissions are open for the 2026 edition. Troupe submissions go through the festival page; ensemble submissions are accepted via this form. No deadline has been published.