We are pleased to announce the opening of our new improv comedy venue coming to downtown Columbus this summer! The venue will focus on improv comedy but also provide audiences with standup, sketch and variety shows. A bar and seating for up to 90 to round out the space.
Read on for more details about the space and how you can get in on the fun!
The Hashtag Comedy Co Improv Comedy Venue Downtown
We started as a small improv group around the fall of 2012, and many of us fell in love with the art form at that time. Since then, we’ve grown from a small improv comedy cast to a full-fledged improv comedy company that offers shows, classes and training right here in the heart of Central Ohio.
“Opening a space for people to be creative and showcase their comedy has been a dream of ours for nearly our entire time together,” said Sarah J Storer, founding member, co-owner and Artistic Director at The Hashtag Comedy Company. “When this opportunity came to us to open a venue in the heart of the city we love, we knew it was the right time and place to make it happen.”
The new venue will open Summer 2020 at 346 E Long at the corner of Long and Grant in downtown Columbus. “We searched for the right place, in the right area with the right vibe for nearly two years,” said Matthew White, founding member and co-owner. “When we were first introduced to the space at E Long, it took a little imagination to see ourselves making a home there. Fortunately, we had exactly the right team to make that happen.”
Cozy Comedy Venue, Big Potential
The venue will hold 45-55 patrons on most nights, but can open to accommodate up to 90 for specialty shows and engagements. Stocked with a bar in the theater space and right next door to gourmet to-go kitchen Cluster Truck, patrons will be able to enjoy a great meal and a drink while taking in a show. Classes and corporate workshops will occupy the space during weekends and non-show nights as well as working hours during the day.
“One of the things we’re most excited about is the way we will be able to expand our brand and our offerings with a new space,” said Kenny Greer, co-owner and Director of Marketing. “We’ve been able to grow the way we have in part because of our wonderful partnerships with Columbus institutions who took a chance on us and what we do. But we’ve now grown to the point where we need a dedicated space for the next chapter in our business, and we’re happy we get to do that on E Long.”
How to Get Involved with the Hashtag Comedy Company
In the next few months, we will be looking for:
Friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic house managers and hosts
Folks who are interested in auditioning for different teams (e.g. short form, Harold, etc.)
Established groups who are interested in regular show spots
New show proposals and ideas
Veteran improvisers who are interested in coaching or teaching
If you’d be interested in anything we mentioned above, you can message us here and get notified of upcoming auditions and opportunities.
We’d also love if you followed us on Facebook and Instagram and shared the news with your family and friends! We will have announcements and progress pics and videos coming all spring and we can’t wait to show you the build out and get you locked in for our grand opening.
We’ll still be performing at venues all over the city this spring, so stay tuned to our show page for upcoming shows from TBD the Improvised Musical, You’ll Want to Sit Down for This, 5/10/15/20, Ladies Who Lounge and more!
Our Thanks to YOU
Last but certainly not least...we would not be here without you. Thank you for coming to our shows when we were new and were still figuring ourselves out. Thank you for the posts, for inviting friends and for showing up in snow and rain and everything else. Thank you for taking a chance on us, on our shows, classes and our workshops.
Because of you, we’ve been able to grow to the point where we need more room and opportunities to give folks space to showcase their funny. And we’re so excited for audiences to see what we have in store.
About the Hashtag Comedy Company
The Hashtag Comedy Company is a professional organization providing improv entertainment, education and experiences in Columbus, OH. The company was born eight years ago out of an improv class and its mission is to build and grow the art of improv in the heart of the Midwest. They perform regularly throughout Columbus and offer kids and adult classes, corporate improv workshops and improvised experiences in Central Ohio and beyond.