By Judy Gottleib, Artistic Director –
For 37 years, the Ventura Improv Company has been bringing laughter, creativity, and connection to our community. We are grateful to every performer, volunteer, supporter, collaborator, student, and audience member who has helped keep the VIC thriving since July 14, 1989. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just discovered us, thank you for being part of our journey. More than a performing group, the VIC is a family.
We are especially grateful to NAMBA Performing Arts, our performing home. Their generosity, encouragement, and beautiful venue have helped our community grow. We are proud to be part of the NAMBA family and deeply appreciate their friendship and support.
With heartfelt gratitude, I also want to recognize our founders, Sally and Tom Mueller, whose vision and passion brought the Ventura Improv Company to life. I also want to honor the artistic directors who came before me – Tom Mueller and the late Gary Best. Their creativity, dedication, and leadership helped shape the company into what it is today, and I am deeply honored to continue building on the foundation they created.
Here’s to 37 wonderful years of laughter and many more to come.
Thank you – Judy
Our Story
The Ventura Improv Company began on July 14, 1989, after Barbara Scott of Bay Area TheatreSports™ visited her mother in Santa Paula and led an improv workshop. At the time, a small group of Ventura performers—including Sally and Tom Mueller and Gary Best—attended the workshop and found short-form competitive improv to be a revelation. Inspired by the experience, Tom and Sally Mueller founded a local TheatreSports™ league.
Over the decades, the organization grew in both size and mission. In 1999, the company took over the lease of the historic Livery building in downtown Ventura, where it had already been teaching classes and presenting performances. The VIC transformed the space into its permanent home by building a stage, green room, and seating for up to 80 audience members. In 2008, Ventura Area TheatreSports™/Livery Theatre officially became the Ventura Improv Company.
In January 2017, the VIC began a new chapter, moving from its longtime home on Palm Street. Today, the company proudly performs and teaches classes at NAMBA Performing Arts, while also presenting special performances and events throughout Ventura County. The Ventura Improv Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. https://venturaimprov.com.
