ABOUT COLDTOWNE

In September 2005, right after Hurricane Katrina, Michael Jastroch, Arthur Simone, and Justin York evacuated New Orleans and landed in Austin, where the improv community was already strong and gaining momentum. The owner of the iconic local video store, I Luv Video, allowed ColdTowne to launch a long form Chicago-style improv training center next door to his establishment. It was the first of its kind in Austin.

Soon, ColdTowne was producing improv comedy shows in addition to classes. The ColdTowne crew was joined by their friends, the award winning improv troupe, The Frank Mills (Rachel Madorsky, Dave Buckman, Erika May McNichol and Bob McNichol), in opening the theater on October 28th, 2006, to a packed audience. 

ColdTowne Theater has been Austin’s main stage for alternative comedy since 2006, featuring the funniest comedians in Central Texas. Until 2020, the theater offered shows 7 days a week featuring all forms of comedy: improv, stand-up, sketch, film, music, and much more. To date, nationally recognized acts perform here as well as the best local performers. ColdTowne Theater also runs a conservatory facilitating  the most fun acting, improv and sketch classes Austin has to offer.

Like many arts and performance organizations across the country, ColdTowne was hit hard by 2020 and COVID-19. We not only lost the ability to produce shows and classes for live audiences, we also lost the lease to the black box theater that we called home for 15 years. 

We were fortunate to find our current space at 1700 E 2nd Street, but once our lease expires, the building is set to be replaced with condominiums. We would love your help. Check out our Support Page to help us find our forever home!

ColdTowne Theater is a Sponsored Project of the Austin Creative Alliance.

Our vision is to provide a safe, inclusive, joyful space for everyone to learn, grow, perform and enjoy comedy for a long, long time. Thank you for supporting live comedy and ColdTowne!