Arcade Comedy Theater, Pittsburgh’s home for live comedy, is thrilled to announce the launch of its fall season with the premiere of the House Team Hot Spot on Friday, September 6th. This program will feature Arcade’s five newly formed house teams—two teams that perform short-form improv, “Most Murderous Cat” and “Danger Stage,” and three teams featuring long-form improv, “Scam Likely,” “Grave Sugar,” and “WORM.” Consisting of 50 performers selected through a competitive audition process in spring 2024, these teams have been rehearsing all summer to deliver fresh, spontaneous comedy every Friday night at 7:00 PM.
The House Team Hot Spot, now in its second year, returned in the fall of 2023 for the first time since before the COVID-19 lockdowns. The overwhelming success of its first year prompted Arcade to double the number of shows, making the show a weekly fixture. Now, every Friday night at 7:00 PM, Pittsburghers can count on a guaranteed night of laughter. Tickets are $15 each, with $10 tickets available to students. Patrons who are 21+ can also BYOB for $5.
“Arcade Comedy Theater was founded over a decade ago in downtown Pittsburgh with the mission to spread joy and laughter throughout our city,” said Katie Tarara, Interim Executive Director at Arcade Comedy Theater.
“We are so proud of the incredible talent that makes up our new house teams. They have worked tirelessly through the summer, and we can’t wait for Pittsburgh to see them shine. These teams embody the spirit of Arcade—bold, creative, and unapologetically funny.”
Every Friday night, the House Team Hot Spot will showcase the skills and creativity of Arcade’s house teams as they turn audience suggestions into side-splitting scenes and unforgettable moments. This program not only offers a platform for performers to sharpen their craft but also provides Pittsburgh audiences with a front-row seat to watch comedy evolve in real time.
The new house teams are the result of Arcade’s ongoing efforts to foster a vibrant comedy community. By providing structured opportunities and consistent stage time, Arcade Comedy Theater ensures that its performers can develop their unique comedic voices and connect deeply with audiences. The performers range from fresh faces to seasoned veterans, all united by their passion for improv and dedication to bringing laughter to the Steel City.
Arcade’s commitment to developing local comedy talent extends across a variety of programs and comedy styles. “The Stand Up Laboratory”, a monthly show, provides Pittsburgh stand-up comics with a platform to test new material, while the “Sketch Comedy Lab” is open to anyone with a comedy sketch to develop. Writers polish their draft sketches through collaborative writing sessions and the sketches are then presented in bimonthly staged readings with local comedic actors playing the roles. This initiative reached new heights with the “Sketch Lab Report, Volume 1,” a fully produced sketch comedy revue that wowed audiences in July 2024.
Also in September, Arcade will revive its “Beta Stage” program. This monthly show allows producers to test new comedy show concepts with live audiences, gather feedback, and refine their work, with the hope of garnering a primetime spot at Arcade. Finally, the new “In D(i)evelopment” show will debut to give local independent improv teams the chance to perform at Arcade with other indie teams. The show will be hosted through three-month residencies, starting with the team “Barbara, a Mother,” a local favorite.
Interest forms for producers, writers, comics, performers, and teams for all of the Lab programs (Stand Up, Sketch, Beta Stage, and In Development) are available on Arcade’s website.
With the fall launch, Arcade Comedy Theater invites everyone in Pittsburgh to experience the joy of live comedy and discover the emerging stars of the local comedy scene. From regular improv shows to experimental comedy nights, Arcade offers a diverse range of programming that appeals to all ages and tastes. And for anyone who wants to join in the fun, Arcade hosts weekly improv jams and offers adult comedy classes.
“We’re thrilled that thousands of Pittsburghers have experienced the magic of our shows, and we’re excited to welcome many more,” added Tarara. “We believe comedy thrives on the powerful connection between performers and audiences. Our commitment to nurturing new comedy talent is at the heart of everything we do to keep that vibrant exchange alive and growing, ensuring that Pittsburgh remains a city of laughter and creativity.”
For more information about Arcade Comedy Theater’s fall season, tickets, upcoming shows, classes, and private events, please visit https://www.arcadecomedytheater.com/ or follow Arcade Comedy Theater on social media.