ImprovFestivals.orgSecret City Improv Comedy Festival
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 8-10, 2026 |
| Edition | 6th Annual |
| Location | Oak Ridge, TN, USA |
| Language | English |
| Organizer | Southern Fried Events |
| Website | secretcityimprovfest.com |
| Secret City Improv Comedy Festival | |
| @secretcityimprovfest |
Overview
The Secret City Improv Comedy Festival is the only improv festival in Eastern Tennessee, held annually at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. The festival originated as a spin-off of the Gatlinburg Improv Festival (2010-2020) and launched in September 2021 after a COVID-19 postponement. Founded by Aaron Campbell as a "love letter to the art of improv comedy," it has grown steadily, expanding to 28 performing teams and over 100 performers from 14 states by its 5th anniversary in 2025.
The Grove Theater, built during the Manhattan Project as a 1,000-seat concert hall, provides a historic backdrop with exceptional acoustics. The festival combines ticketed evening shows at the Grove with free workshops and performances at the Oak Ridge Public Library. Programming includes short-form, long-form, musical, and playback improv, along with a high school showcase introduced in 2022 and the recurring Slayden Cup Tournament. The festival won Event of the Year at the 2024 Secret City Community Choice Awards.
Submissions
Submissions for the 2026 festival are open through June 14, 2026. There is no submission fee. Teams must provide an unedited video of a recent performance, performer details, and confirm availability for the festival dates. Apply at secretcityimprovfest.com/submissions.