MANILA, Philippines — Improvisational theater takes center stage once again as the Manila Improv Festival (MIF) 2026, Asia’s largest festival dedicated to improv comedy and performance, returns for its 7th edition from March 25 to 29, 2026 at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell.
First launched in 2015 by SPIT Manila and its improv school Third World Improv, the festival has steadily grown into a major gathering for improvisers, performers, and theater enthusiasts from around the world. Over the years, the event has built a strong reputation as a creative hub where performers collaborate, learn, and share the spontaneity and artistry of improvisational theater.
With the rise of improv comedy in mainstream entertainment—largely fueled by the viral success of SPIT Manila and other improv groups on social media—the festival continues its mission of making improvisation more accessible to wider and more diverse audiences.
This year’s 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.
“We are very excited to be part of this year’s Manila Improv Festival,” said Irvinne Redor, MIF 2026 Festival Director and Producer. “Sanghimig is a firm believer in creating experiences that build and strengthen creative communities across borders. It’s a privilege for us to help shape this global meeting point for improvisers while also providing a platform to showcase Filipino talent in the performing arts.”
Carrying the theme “Rise to the Moment,” MIF 2026 will bring together more than 70 improv groups from the Philippines and over 20 countries, making it one of the most diverse lineups in the festival’s history.
The festival will open on March 25 at The Proscenium Main Theater with a special performance featuring SPIT Manila, together with Galaw.Co Dance Theater and Drum Circle PH. Throughout the week, audiences can catch performances from various Filipino improv groups including Housekeeping Improv, Noted with Thanks, Isprikitik Improv, and Buwan ng Wika Improv at the Proscenium Black Box Theater and other pocket venues within the complex.
MIF 2026 will also welcome a strong roster of international improv performers such as Oshow (Japan), Landry and Summers (United States), Formosa Improv Group (Taiwan), Beijing Improv (China), Improv Lore (India), The Joy Riders (Australia), Imfrog (South Korea), and Les Musicables (Singapore).
Beyond the stage performances, the festival will also offer over 30 improv workshops facilitated by both local and international improvisers. These workshops will take place in different venues around Makati and will cover a wide range of topics related to improvisational theater and applied improv techniques.
“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 this year’s Manila Improv Festival again. It allows us to experience our ‘home’ while bringing together improviser friends from all over the world and sharing our art with Filipino audiences.”
The Manila Improv Festival 2026 is supported by Celeteque, Sunlife, GrabCar, GrabFood, Move It, Australia’s Own, Ceres Fruit Juices, Evian, CDO Foodsphere, McDonald’s, and Nestlé KitKat, along with 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.
Show tickets and limited workshop passes are now available via the official website. For updates on the lineup, schedules, and festival activities, follow the Manila Improv Festival on social media.
For more information and tickets, visit manilaimprovfestival.com/tickets.
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Facebook: Manila Improv Festival
Instagram & TikTok: @manilaimprovfest
