About Countdown Improv Festival 2022

The Countdown Improv Festival, based in the Ybor City neighborhood of beautiful Tampa, Florida, is the only national improv festival devoted exclusively to trio, duo, and solo improv comedy. We're very excited to be back in Tampa for our sixth year in 2022. The venue is located in the heart of historic Ybor City, a neighborhood known for its local businesses and nightlife. Ybor is just a quick 10-minute (9 mile) ride from Tampa International Airport.

Our 2021 festival brought together over 100 trio, duo, and solo improvisers for a weekend's worth of shows, workshops, parties, and laughter. With three separate stages, a brand-new festival ensemble, and a night of online-only shows kicking everything off, 2022 promises to be our biggest and best year yet.

COVID-wise, as of this writing (March 2022) we are optimistic that we can safely hold an in-person festival this August. That said, we are prepared to postpone the festival or pivot to a fully online festival on short notice if it becomes clear that it wouldn’t make sense to host an in-person festival in mid-August. Our primary concern is the health and safety of all participants, and if we can’t safely host an in-person festival in mid-August, then we just won’t do it.

The Countdown Improv Festival is a truly performer-focused festival, and our main goal is ensuring that our performers have a good show and a great time. Founders Justin Peters and Kelly Buttermore are veteran touring improvisers who’ve performed at dozens of festivals; in creating the Countdown Improv Festival, they vowed to make it the sort of festival that they themselves would want to attend. We are committed to diversity, equality, and ensuring that our festival represents and reflects the community it serves.

The festival is covered in all the major local media outlets, and the shows routinely sell out. We do not have headliners and we do not stratify our participants; we welcome and value every performer on the bill. From the moment you arrive in Tampa to the moment you leave, you will feel appreciated, encouraged, and empowered to do your best work. If you are a solo, duo, or trio improviser, come join us! We really believe that Countdown is one of the best festivals in the world, and we’re eager to have you come and experience it for yourselves.