I've seen shows at the Magnet and recently completed their 101 one week intensive. I perform improv and sketch regularly throughout the Philly area, and am excited to begin the path of getting my "official degree" through a mix of classes at both Magnet and UCB. I had taken a workshop with Elana in Philadelphia and was thrilled to have her lead the one week intensive. Magnet provides a great foundation for those looking to perform and for those simply looking to up their public speaking ability. The Armando on Saturday nights is one of the more popular improv shows in NYC and for good reason! If you're looking for a great spot to begin your journey with improv, Magnet is it. Only wish is for the addition of a water fountain or jug of some kind so I didn't have to rely on plastic while in the theatre. Thanks for a great experience Magnet! read more

I took an improv class as part of a team building, bring your coworkers out of their shell experience and absolutely loved it! 90 minutes of exercises had us all vibing by the end of the day. We can't wait to start rolling this out more regularly, and the participants all said while they were hesitant at first, by the end they didn't want it to stop. What a success! read more

Fun and cheap improv show for a night out. Went on a Saturday night for the Armando Diaz Experience. It was pretty funny and got a lot of laughs from the audience. Space is small and intimate, was packed on a Saturday. Overall a great time. Only downside is there's only one bathroom, so ended up waiting a long time in line. But I think they let people to use the restroom at the bar next door as well. read more

Magnet Theater - Stage - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Good people, good teachers, good vibe and lots of talent! They were also great in 2020-2021 when we all had to work on Zoom

I have been visiting this place for a few years now. I have taken classes here, had shows here, and watched shows here. Overall, it's really a gem in New York City. I can't count how many weekend nights when I had nothing to do, and I would just come here to spend an awesome night. If you ever consider coming here to watch a show. Friday and Saturday is the best since most of the actors have been playing for many years. They know what they are dong. However, if you come here on other nights, you might bump into a student show, and sometimes it can get kinda awkward lol. Overall, I recommend everyone to bookmark this place on their google map. Oh, if you're ever getting tired of waiting in the bathroom line. You can also go to the bar next door. Since the bar and the theater have been opening for so long. The bar knows that sometimes people who finish watching a show would come to their bar to take a piss lol haha. read more

Magnet Theater - ADX night - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Wow! Came here on a Sunday night to see 'Darkness Falls' and wow! It was funny and engaging! Loved how it was very emersive allowing the audience to be a part of the theater. I absolutely enjoyed it and would definitely be back. Magnet theater was very easy to find as it was my first time. Well done Magnet! read more

Magnet Theater - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a small, cozy theater. They have a great improv show. Drinks are a fantastic deal. Wine is $6 and water is $1. Definitely a nice, low key place to catch a performance. read more

We adored our evening at Magnet Theater. We stopped in on Saturday night to see "Kornfeld & Andrews" improv show. It was so funny and we had the best time. The show was affordable for the value. These two were very good improv comedians. Highly recommend. Don't forget your covid card! read more

My Home Away from Home! Your Unforgettable Introduction to Improv Comedy! The friendliest and most authentic community of individuals! A place of laughter, joy, and where the most beautiful memories can be made. Been coming here for years and will continue to do so as long as it remains Right where it is! SOOOO GLAD it survived COVID and was not one of the unfortunate casualties! My heart would have been broken for myself, everyone who knows and loves it, and everyone who had yet to be introduced to it! LOVE YOU MAGNET THEATER!!! read more

I was introduced to the Magnet shortly after my graduation by a college friend (who was actually still a student at the time, doing the reverse commute from Chinatown to Westchester). In the beginning I was really only there for her stuff but always felt good about the place. After a traumatic event, I left NYC in 2012. When I came back a few years later, another former classmate (this time from high school) had been performing there for some time and invited me back, thinking I might be interested in a program she had gone through and was now teaching. She could not have been more right! The musical improv program is informative, well-paced, and a good blend of teaching both narrative structure and song structure. The programming is a good mix of regular (weekly or biweekly) shows and one-off shows with new and interesting themes. The staff, at least in my experience, are dedicated to making students and performers feel comfortable and safe, and the only real nuisances are the people in the audience who sing along. If I could give the place ten stars I would. read more

I absolutely The Magnet Theater, both for its classes and its shows. I've taken a bunch of classes and watched a ton of shows, both pre- and post-pandemic: I've done the full musical improv program, the first three levels of the regular improv level -some as intensives- and planning to do more as soon a level 4 class that fits into my schedule is offered), and some workshops; I also attended Camp Magnet pre-COVID. The instructors at the Magnet are awesome, hilarious, smart, and extremely welcoming, as are the regular performers I've gotten to know! If you are considering taking an improv class, I highly recommend The Magnet Theater. (They also offer other classes like sketch comedies; I haven't taken any of those but I'm sure they're great too.). I've taken improv classes and watched many shows at the three main improv places in NYC (Magnet, PIT, and UCB) and I liked them all but the Magnet stands out for having a strong, friendly community vibe. The Magnet really stands out for its musical improv program, which is more comprehensive than any other improv theater that I'm aware of-and a lot of fun-both to watch and perform! As with all the improv theaters, the class and show offerings have been somewhat downsized post-COVID. But in my experience this hasn't affected the quality of the classes or the shows, and hopefully the theaters/classes will get busy enough to run at full capacity again some day :) If you are looking for improv shows to watch or some hilarious entertainment, then I highly recommend any of the Magnet's shows. I especially love musical improv and highly recommend the Musical Megawatt shows on Thursday nights -the ticket prices are low, and shows are generally only an hour long and you can get tickets at the door, so it's easy to fit into one's schedule after work, which is probably part of why I love improv shows so much. To sum up: the Magnet is awesome! Take a class or go watch a show! read more

I took a musical improv course with this company seven years ago, after doing a two-year musical theater songwriting workshop and desperately needing to find the fun again in writing. I threw myself into their beginner class and not only did I find the zest, goofiness, and playfulness of musical theater storytelling again, but I also learned the joy in letting go. The best part: I made two friends who, seven years later, I adore. 5 stars!!!!!! read more

This was my first time seeing an improv comedy act live. We went here yesterday and there was an act from Chicago and Texas. My favorite act was Challenger from Chicago. Although they had some uncomfortable humor moments I liked the part of the act that included the unhappy girlfriend. These guys were hilarious - do girls really play with their hair every time they talk?! haha The theater is small, but worth the experience. It's a fair price for a nice comedy sketch. I would go here again. I believe they also have classes if you want to become an improv comic. I actually do improv speaking for toastmaster so seeing an entire act based on improv was pretty cool. They have a small drinks area but I would say grab a bite before coming if you are hungry otherwise make arrangements to eat afterwards. As this is not like a lounge, its more of a stop before or after eating. read more

Magnet Theater - lobby - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

I came here on Sat night for an improv show (Trike) and it was AMAZING. The two guys asked the audience to name the show. Someone shouted out "Raise the Bar" and the two actors crafted and improv show around this title. They seamlessly moved from scene to scene, reading each other's queues. It was crazy they made it up on the spot. Such a fun way to spend a Sat night. Recommend!!! read more

Magnet Theater - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Friendly and helpful staff, might be the best rehearsal space NYC. Thanks a lot for everything!

I just got back from the midnight mixer at Magnet Theater and I must say, I was impressed! I think most of the performers (or participants) were also improv students, but they were incredibly talented and everyone seemed to have respect for each other, giving each other hugs when they finished performing. Overall, a very friendly atmosphere. The space is small, but it works. The hosts of the show were witty and personable. At one point, they also jumped in and participated in the show. As an audience member, you also have the choice to do some improv on stage. Towards the end of the mixer, they ask whether anyone from the audience who hasn't signed up to do improv wants to do it anyway. The show consists of two-person acts, each lasting for a few minutes. Each act is accompanied by deejayed music (which, oddly enough, the one I went to, had pirate music). The atmosphere was jovial, all the actors/students were encouraging of one another, and there were some incredibly funny acts that came out of the pirate music. Plus, it's free! What more can you ask for? I'm definitely making this place part of my Saturday night routine! read more

If you're looking for a truly underground venue that is not overpriced or overhyped, then this is the place for you. When you go, it truly feels like what the UCB Theater must have been before it became so popular. No pretension & no snottiness here. I was originally going to go using a Living Social voucher for 4 people but 2 of my guests had to bail & we couldn't come up with 2 more to take their place. Since the price of the show we had planned to go to was reasonable, we decided not to worry about it & just pay for it. Upon checking into Foursquare, we got a 2 for 1 admission offer. I showed it to the guy when I came in; somehow, we ended up getting a comp. I still wonder if maybe he recognized me but chose not to say anything to me. We went in & you should know that if you need to use the bathroom, it's in the area of the stage & to the right. This place is definitely tiny but the improv was top notch (and I say this having taken improv classes myself & knowing a thing or two about talent vs. lack of it). I do think we will have to return; maybe next time I can get some folk to come with me. Let's just hope I don't recognize people or have to worry about people recognizing ME here. read more

This is one of the best places to watch improv shows. Sure, there's Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). Sure, there's the People's improv Theater (P.I.T.). But I don't think those 2 other places got shyt on Magnet. Other than maybe a more well known name to the public due to publicized actors/actresses whom had trained there and became successful. Trike on Saturday nights are a MUST SEE SHOW. If you ever wanted to watch GREAT improv, that is the one to watch. New York Times raved about it and they did not disappoint. They also gets packed EARLY so arrive EVEN EARLIER for your tickets and to get a good seat as you would going to the movie theaters. They have an assortment of other shows ranging from musical improv (I'm not a big musical theater fan but if you are, this is not to be missed) and other house team improv team shows (one of which my teacher is in THE WEAVE). I'm also a student at the Magnet currently and I definitely do plan on staying the full course in order to try out for one of their house teams in the near future. Speaking of classes, it is easier to get classes here than over at UCB or the PIT which means you can learn without having to be wait listed into classes that you shouldn't have to wait list for. I really enjoy the classes here so for me this is a WIN WIN. I'm such a fan of this place. Come to a show or two. Take a class or two. I dare you not to be a fan after that. Chances of that? NIL. read more

Magnet Theater - Trike is a MUST WATCH. NEW YORK TIMES CRITICS CHOICE. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

Joining this community is one of the best decisions I've made since moving to NYC. Seriously. Want to laugh? Want to meet warm, welcoming, hilarious people? Go take a class. In fact, go sign up for the FREE intro class right now - I'll wait: www.magnettheater.com/free-improv-class When I tell my "non-improv" friends to try it, they say that it sounds too scary. That they're not performers. That they're not funny. But seriously, none of that matters. I started taking improv as a way to "get out of my head," so to speak. Improv is great for that - the skills and ideas that the Magnet teaches are applicable to work, relationships, etc. And yeah, it's a bit scary... but it's so, SO much fun. Not ready to take a class? Check out a show! The Magnet has them every night of the week - improv, musical improv, sketch comedy, and storytelling. read more

Magnet Theater - Also, art. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

This place has a real youth-hostel atmosphere, and the crowd control is a pretty impressive display of efficient packing 'em in. I'm giving it two stars because the show I went to see was cancelled at the last moment and replaced with a different improv act. It was a Tuesday night and I was pretty pissed the guy I went to see wasn't showing. I got home after midnight and I doubt I would have gone out on a weeknight to see someone I didn't previously know of at all. Therefore, I'll update my review if I go here again. read more

Magnet Theater - The youth-hostel atmosphere of the waiting area paved the way for the performance. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

I love improv and go as often as possible. I came here on a Friday night to see the "Made Up Musical" at 10 pm. This show took improv to an entire new level! I was so impressed by the four man act- they could sing, they could dance, and they sure could make the audience laugh. It was really impressive how they put together a musical in which each number cohesively flowed together. On top of that, there were two live musicians (piano player + drummer)! If you're looking for an entertaining evening, I highly recommend the Magnet Theater. $10 well spent! read more

A great place to check out! I hear their classes are really good if you want to do long form improv. And their shows are only $5! The owners are all super nice, especially Alex Marino - he is the best! read more

Magnet Theater - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

I took Sketch Writing Level 1 with Armando Diaz and had a tremendous time. Armando is very attentive and has a great intuition with writing. He emphasizes that everyone has their own unique writing style and encourages his students to hone it. The energy at the magnet is unparalleled. I've attended classes and drop ins at multiple improv schools, but there is just something about this place. read more

Magnet theater saved my life during the Pandemic. I met the greatest people and found new a passion with the beginner Improv course. Just finished Improv 3! Thank you! read more

Not exactly my cup of tea for a crowd... But that being said I'm no longer a college student or a trendy hipster. Show was pretty good though...no complaints. Everyone else seemed real happy, and the place was emptied out by 12... Pretty good for a weeknight. read more

Magnet Theater - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

I took the Free Intro to Improv class with Michael Lutton and it was so much fun! I wasn't sure what to expect going in but I was pleasantly surprised and glad I signed up. The class is very interactive: the various solo & group exercises teach you skills that you can apply to any aspects of your life: improvisation (obviously...) , creativity, story telling, public speaking and listening... You will LAUGH and you'll definitely want to take more classes. And you receive free tickets to attend a show at the theatre. read more

It's an amazing improv school. I come up from Phila PA to take classes. Schools where I live don't come close. Teachers are great. And I can't wait for my next class to start! read more

I've logged time in every dumpy rehearsal space in town, usually paying out the snoot for the privilege. The Magnet Training Center is a glowing exception to what we're all too often forced to settle for. The rehearsal rooms and common areas are clean and well maintained, and I appreciate the extra effort that went into creating a cheerful vibe - the red doors and trim, the blown up cartoon decals on the walls. The hourly rental rate are about as low as you're likely to find in Manhattan, with or without a non-profit discount. Boom! I just saved you hours of plumbing the outer fringes of SpaceFinder - a wonderful resource, but one in which even the grossest rathole of a rehearsal room can be made to look pretty-okay with craftily-angled photos. My favorite is Room A - it's the size of many Off-Off-Broadway theaters, and has black out curtains and a raised stage at one end. $20 / an hour? Shut the front door! I know plenty of nasty spaces that would charge more-than-double. As another user noted, the location on 32nd offers you a great choice of nearby eating and drinking options. Nothing like re-evaluating your life choices with some post-rehearsal soju-Sprite-in the hollowed out shell of a watermelon... read more

We we're there on a Thursday night during Christmas week. The improv was incredible. Just brilliant. The scenes we're grounded but so funny. The Blob is a crazy wonderful format and so well-executed. We left before the evening ended because we're old and need our beauty sleep but we hated to leave. Also there was just a nice vibe there. It seems like a great place to learn and grow into improv. read more

Great classes, just finishing Robert Weinstein's class, couldn't be more satisfied. Very interesting mix of people, Robert has extensive history teaching and storytelling himself. He brings both in depth knowledge on how to develop stories and how to deliver them effectively. Worth every dollar spent. This is among the best options in the city. read more

Great place to do Improv. The guy who started the theatre studied with Del Close so this is Improv royalty. Armando Diaz's show was so popular in Chicago at one time that Chris Farley would drop in and join the show. Improvolution has a great community and you can see hundreds of shows for free by attending one class, which is a totally amazing bargain. They have maybe 100+ shows a week so it's a real plus. read more

I came here for a free first class and enjoyed it so much. Improv is something I've always been interested in but too scared to do. I had to practically drag myself here but am so glad I did! Rick was such a supportive teacher and made sure to laugh extra loud the whole time :) Everyone was actually really supportive and we had a lot of fun doing the different exercises. I liked it so much that I am planning on signing up for the beginner class next month! read more

The Magnet Theater has the best bang for your buck for checking out some of the best improv comedy in NYC. There's never a dull night of the week to check out any of the shows, but if I had to pick one night to be there, it would be Thursdays, where for $5, you can watch 3 hours of the best improv (the Deconstruction @ 7:30pm, Hello Laser & the Boss, Junior Varsity @ 9pm & 10pm! And free pizza after the 9pm show! Wednesday night is also fun for checking out the Megawatt (Magnet house teams) groups perform. And Friday night is terrific for checking out the high energy of Once Upon a Time at 7pm, Lead McEnroe + Taco Supreme @ 8:30pm and the Made-Up Musical @ 10! Btw, did anyone mention cheap beer ($2 PBRs & $3 Red Stripes)? Seriously, why are you still reading this? read more

I have been to Magnet many-a-time because some of my friends study and perform improv comedy there. It's convenient to get to (steps away from Penn Station), the shows are affordable (every one I've ever attended is $5), the small blackbox-style theater is nice. My friends are all veterans of the Magnet and have taken multiple classes there. As a result, I know the classes are good, or they wouldn't have taken them again, and I wouldn't keep coming back to see the shows! Because bad comedy... is painful. And I would have come up with a good excuse to get out of it ("My fish is, um, swimming a little funny, so I probably won't be able to make it..."). Anyhow, I am happy to report that I have yet to see bad comedy at the Magnet! So: the moral of the story is, fun for actors, fun for spectators! read more

I think Magnet's actually the best of the NYC improv theaters I've been to. Or maybe I just prefer Magnet's type of shows/vibe better. Anyway, it's worth checking out. Cheap tickets, cheap beers. I've seen the Megawatt show on Wednesdays before, and recommend the teams Featherweight and Crush. Statues of Liberty is really good, too (I think they're on Saturdays? Not sure). read more

A great improv comedy venue. Bright lobby and cheap drinks. And the show we caught by 4Track was amazing! They're consistently great. This is the go-to place for comedy lovers and improv fans. A small theater with a talented group of performers. We'll be back... read more

Magnet Theater - Comedy Clubs Near Me - New York, New York

This is a poor man's Upright Citizen's Brigade. I went to 4TRACK this evening, their Saturday 9pm show. The premise is that they take a suggestion from the audience and then do 40 minutes of skits based on that word. In reality, the various skits were mostly unrelated to the suggested word ("fruitfly"). They weren't bad skits, but they clearly weren't topical skits that had been made up on the spot. On the other hand, the show only cost $5, and Red Stripe bottles were only $3. And, unlike at the UCB, the place isn't jam-packed with people. Would I go back? Yes, I would. read more

Just returned from my first improv show at Magnet Theater and man, was it good. There was some serious lol-age at the 10:30 Trike show. It's amazing how just two guys can put on such clever, impressive, and well-timed performances without breaking a sweat. My friend had taken a free improv class earlier in the day and her instructor recommended this show. He said it was definitely his favorite and the two performers have great chemistry. I totally agree. The space is small but it works. Sitting in the front row was a big perk. It was roughly an hour-long without any breaks, and they jumped from scene to scene flawlessly. I have never seen a live improv show, but it was much better than I was anticipating. They take a line from the audience and run with it. The humor was occasionally edgy but not vulgar, and overall very, very witty. $7 well spent. As for the improv class they offer, it's free, and my friend had nothing but good things to say about it. I'd definitely be willing to check it out. read more

On a date night, really enjoyed the show. Not over crowded and fun, non expensive. Would definitely come back for more laughs read more

I feel like the theater and the school should be reviewed separately, but since there are not separate entries for each, I will have to do what I can. First, the theater: It's not very big, but that means there really isn't a bad seat in the house. The auditorium is rather run down. Most of the drink holders don't work (unless you have a huge cup I guess, but nothing of that sort is sold here). There is only one single-person bathroom. However, tickets are cheap and are often good for a whole evening of entertainment, if you so choose. Drinks are also reasonably priced, and they do have alcohol (including cheap PBR). The staff are usually pretty nice. They take reservations online. The comedy is very funny! If you don't laugh many times in a show there's probably something wrong with you, and you should seek immediate medical attention. If you're attending a "Megawatt" show (the house improv teams) I have generally found the more experienced teams play later in the evening. Theater overall: 3.5 stars The school: I've had the privilege of taking several classes here, and I'm still going. Before selecting an improv school, I did my research. The consensus was that Magnet had the best community, and that was important to me. And I agree! It's almost like being a part of big, crazy, funny family. I can go to a show and almost certainly I'll see people I know, both on stage and it the audience. Most of the classes are taught at the training center a block from the theater. The space there is functional and clean. Nothing special, but we don't need much. Unlike the theater there are two bathrooms! One of the rooms is set up much like the theater, but without the raised seating. This is used for class shows. The web site works well and the registration process is simple. There are new classes starting constantly, generally during the evenings or on weekends. In addition to the core curriculum, there are a number of electives that allow you to hone your skills in particular areas. Cost of the classes is competitive with other schools in the area. Not sure you want to try it? They offer free intro classes for regular and musical improv (haven't been brave enough to attempt the latter yet). The instruction is excellent. It's been tiered well, so that as you advance you are held to continually higher standards, and you build on what you learned before. Also, while you're a student you can go to almost any show at the theater for free! School overall: 4.5 stars Taken as a package, the theater and school come out to a solid 4 stars. read more