An exterior view of the entrance of the HUGE Improv Theater showing a primary sign spelling out "HUGE".
An exterior view of the entrance of the HUGE Improv Theater showing a primary sign spelling out "HUGE" with passerbyers walking past.
An interior view of the HUGE Improv entry vestibule, box office desk, concessions, and theater entrance with pops of red accents throughout in the chairs and overhead supports.
The ticket box office at the HUGE Improv Theater with someone sitting behind the desk, and someone else in conversation with them.
A person walking into the primary theater entrance and someone taking a person's order at the adjacent concession stand at the former HUGE Improv Theater.
Someone placing an order at the concession stand inside the HUGE Improv Theater. Large plants flock the side of the concessions.
A large beam detail in the ceiling of the HUGE Improv Theater painted red to match the organization's branding.
The two doors to the main entrance of the HUGE Improv Theater closed with red text covering them that reads "theater".
A straight-on view of the HUGE Improv Theater and the audience seating and stage for live performances with red arches overhead.
A side view of the HUGE Improv Theater and the audience seating and stage for live performances with red arches overhead.
A view of the HUGE Improv Theater and the audience seating and stage for live performances with red arches overhead from the tech booth in the back.
Audience members ordering at the concession stand at the HUGE Improv Theater during intermission.
Four male actors on stage at the HUGE Improv Theater performing a live show.
One male actor on stage at the HUGE Improv Theater performing a live show.
A man seated at the tech booth of the HUGE Improv Theater during a live performance.
Four male actors and one female actress on stage at the HUGE Improv Theater during a live show. The audience is seated and watching the show.
Three male actors and one female actor on stage during a live performance at the HUGE Improv Theater.
Three male actors on stage during a live performance at the HUGE Improv Theater.
Audience members talking and ordering at the concession stand in the lobby of the HUGE Improv Theater during a live performance intermission.
Audience members standing and waiting in the lobby of the HUGE Improv Theater during a live performance intermission.
A wall of framed photographs of groups that performed at the HUGE Improv Theater over the last few decades.

HUGE Improv Theater

HUGE Improv Theater — the first and only venue of its kind in the Twin Cities — had been a community staple since it opened its doors at 3037 Lyndale Avenue back in 2011. An artist-driven non-profit dedicated to long-form improv performance and education, HUGE’s mission was to make improv accessible for everyone — performers and audiences alike — “regardless of race, gender, orientation, ability, or background.”

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HUGE Improv Theater

HUGE Improv Theater — the first and only venue of its kind in the Twin Cities — had been a community staple since it opened its doors at 3037 Lyndale Avenue back in 2011. An artist-driven non-profit dedicated to long-form improv performance and education, HUGE’s mission was to make improv accessible for everyone — performers and audiences alike — “regardless of race, gender, orientation, ability, or background.”

Having expanded to hosting over 500 shows and 600 students per year, HUGE outgrew its original location and needed an upgraded space to accommodate the expanding improv community. Once a new site was selected just a few blocks up Lyndale Ave from the first HUGE Theater, renovations began to enhance the space’s facilities to better accommodate the needs of more performers and audience members.

Taking learnings from the original HUGE Theater (such as the need for a live musician on-stage and a larger tech booth), the renovation kicked off. Key upgrades included an expansion of the theater itself, the addition of dedicated classrooms, and improved stage accessibility. Additional features such as a state-of-the-art sound booth, a live music area, and projector screens were integrated to elevate the performance experience. In the hallway connecting the lobby to back of house areas, a photo gallery wall showcases the theater’s evolution and the diversity of groups that have performed at HUGE over the last decade.

The redesigned space also reflected HUGE’s upgraded branding approach which features the distinct red arch motif repeated throughout the new theater and in HUGE’s marketing messaging. Having larger, more functional performance, work, and education spaces has enabled HUGE to further solidify their national reputation in the improv scene and expand their impact.

A glimpse of the space:

Completed

2024

Team

Shelter, RJ Marco Construction Inc.

Photographer

Farm Kid Studios

An exterior view of the entrance of the HUGE Improv Theater showing a primary sign spelling out "HUGE".
An exterior view of the entrance of the HUGE Improv Theater showing a primary sign spelling out "HUGE" with passerbyers walking past.
An interior view of the HUGE Improv entry vestibule, box office desk, concessions, and theater entrance with pops of red accents throughout in the chairs and overhead supports.
The ticket box office at the HUGE Improv Theater with someone sitting behind the desk, and someone else in conversation with them.
A person walking into the primary theater entrance and someone taking a person's order at the adjacent concession stand at the former HUGE Improv Theater.
Someone placing an order at the concession stand inside the HUGE Improv Theater. Large plants flock the side of the concessions.
A large beam detail in the ceiling of the HUGE Improv Theater painted red to match the organization's branding.
The two doors to the main entrance of the HUGE Improv Theater closed with red text covering them that reads "theater".
A straight-on view of the HUGE Improv Theater and the audience seating and stage for live performances with red arches overhead.
A side view of the HUGE Improv Theater and the audience seating and stage for live performances with red arches overhead.
A view of the HUGE Improv Theater and the audience seating and stage for live performances with red arches overhead from the tech booth in the back.
Audience members ordering at the concession stand at the HUGE Improv Theater during intermission.
Four male actors on stage at the HUGE Improv Theater performing a live show.
One male actor on stage at the HUGE Improv Theater performing a live show.
A man seated at the tech booth of the HUGE Improv Theater during a live performance.
Four male actors and one female actress on stage at the HUGE Improv Theater during a live show. The audience is seated and watching the show.
Three male actors and one female actor on stage during a live performance at the HUGE Improv Theater.
Three male actors on stage during a live performance at the HUGE Improv Theater.
Audience members talking and ordering at the concession stand in the lobby of the HUGE Improv Theater during a live performance intermission.
Audience members standing and waiting in the lobby of the HUGE Improv Theater during a live performance intermission.
A wall of framed photographs of groups that performed at the HUGE Improv Theater over the last few decades.