Improv Utopia retreats are a three-night cabin-style camping experience for improvisers 18 and over. The camps are filled with workshops, camp activities, team building, campfires, arts and crafts, karaoke, improv jams, performances and more and have existed since 2011.

Our East & West retreats have you take four skilled based workshops from top instructors, while our Yosemite camp has you take one instructor the entire weekend who coaches you on an improv form they are a master of.

Improv Utopia Evolve is a conference-style retreat for advanced improvisers and professionals alike with a focus on professional development, business development, DEI Training, Teacher training, HR Training and, of course, traditional improv instruction taught at an advanced level.

For our East and West retreats no improv experience is required. We’ve had participants from all different experience levels, from never having done improv to the most skilled of improvisers. All events and workshops will work with all levels of experience.

For Yosemite and International retreats, you should be at least at an intermediate level to get the most out of it. You’ll be doing forms or intensives and need to have a basic level of improv experience.

Improv Utopia Evolve has a prerequisite of 5 years of improv for the Advanced Improv Track, while the Business Track is open to anyone interested in elevating their organization's management and operations, or ready to start a venture in improv.

The staff is committed to helping any participant with a food allergy or dietary needs have a great time at our retreats. Whether you’re a meat eater, vegetarian, or vegan our venue kitchens can accommodate. The facilities we rent are dedicated to working around many allergies and dietary needs. When registering just make sure to list your food allergies or dietary requirements and we’ll do our best to work with you. We do recommend vegans and folks with complex allergies bring their favorite snacks, to ensure they have sustainable food in a pinch. All of our venues have a means for cold storage; however, these units are often in public, so label your items with your name and our event name.

At IU Yosemite, you'll work with one dedicated teacher for the entire weekend, unlike the IU West and East retreats, where you experience four different workshops. While our West and East retreats focus on skill-based teaching, Yosemite offers a deep dive into a specific improv form taught by a master of that form. This year, you can explore options like 3Peat, La Ronde & The Party, Genre, Musical Improv, Create Your Own Form, and The Deconstruction.

At IU Evolve you will choose between two tracks: Advanced Improv Track which is designed for seasoned improvisers with over five years of experience who are at a performance level and Business Track which is designed for those interested in mastering the art of  operating and sustaining a successful improv business. 

We will have all-gender cabins and single-sex cabins and you can share your preference during registration. Any additional special requests or needed accommodations (early to bed, bottom bunk, etc.) can also be shared at registration.

All of our retreats have parking. We encourage you to carpool if you can to help save room and the environment.

We do not allow any outside attendees. If you register for IU you must stay on the premises. Improv Utopia is an experience and it is our mission to provide everyone who attends the chance to have community, camaraderie in nature.

We want camp to be welcome to those with diverse needs and we will do everything we can to help accommodate on campus. We currently provide carts and campus car rides for those with limitations. Unfortunately, due to insurance complications, we cannot allow campers to stay off campus, even with a medical exemption. However, campers are absolutely allowed to leave campus for errands, to get food or even if they need a quick break.

If you have any questions or concerns about this , please contact jacque@improvutopia.org or diversity@improvutopia.org and we'll get back to you. We want everyone to feel as safe and accommodated as possible.

The Improv Utopia experience is unique because of improv, community and camaraderie in nature including the shared cabin experience.

At our East, West and Yosemite camps, activities and shows for campers start on Friday night. You can arrive at camp starting at 4 p.m. with dinner usually starting around 6 p.m. After dinner there are events/shows all evening. Saturday and Sunday are workshops (Yosemite workshops start on Friday evening) and Monday there are no activities, just breakfast and saying your goodbyes. Campers must be out of their cabins by 10 a.m. and offsite by 11 a.m. There are AM and PM workshop sessions during Saturday and Sunday, with a huge break in the middle of the day for camp activities, elective workshops (only if offered/and which camp you’re attending) and more! Evenings we do jams, shows, activities, socializing and more!

Evolve schedule is pretty much the same but runs from Thursday - Sunday rather than Friday-Monday.

We select teachers from all over the world.

INTERESTED TEACHERS

Submit here & have ready: https://forms.gle/cEHXxegoaUVV9DQx7

• Bio & headshot

• Three workshop options

We look for master teachers who have at least 6 years experience performing and teaching. Teachers we’ve had in the past are Susan Messing, Patrick Rowland, Craig Cackowski, Joe Bill, Jill Bernard and many more.

We are currently looking for counselors for our West and East retreats. This is a leadership staff position. We have a formalized application process. Folks shouldn’t be intimidated by our application — fill it out to the best of your abilities. Every application will be considered. Contact Jacque@ImprovUtopia.org with any questions.

Apply to join our staff:

Submit Here