SImps (The Stanford Improvisers)

The Stanford Improvisors (SImps, for short), are Stanford’s one and only improv troupe. Started in 1991, The SImps are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. They do short form, long form, dorm shows, house parties, big performances once a quarter, and pretty much anything else that sounds like fun!

The SImps was founded in the spring of 1991 by Patricia Ryan to train and perform improvisational games and theatrical forms, and especially those techniques developed by Keith Johnstone. They continue to teach and perform improv at Stanford and in the bay under the direction of Dan Klein. The SImps (short for the Stanford Improvisors) are Stanford University’s only improv theater group! Founded in 1991 by Patricia Ryan Madson (author of “Improv Wisdom”), the group studies, teaches and performs regularly on the Stanford campus, in the Drama Department and in the community. The SImps consists of students and Stanford affiliates of a wide variety of ages and disciplines, united around a shared love and aptitude for the core tenants of improv: to say yes and to delight our partners and our audience.