About Countdown Improv Festival 2023

The Countdown Improv Festival, based in the historic Ybor City neighborhood of beautiful Tampa, Florida, is the world's only improv festival devoted exclusively to trio, duo, and solo improv comedy. We're very excited to be back in Tampa for our seventh year in 2023. We think that Countdown is one of the very best improv festivals in the entire world.

Our 2022 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 festival ensemble, half a dozen workshops, an improv summit, and the camaraderie and hospitality that we're known for, the 2023 edition of Countdown is bound to be our best festival yet.

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 headlined 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, inclusion, 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.