Great shows, variety, good vibes, slamming snack bar with cookies, popcorn, beer and wine -- and Nine Pin Cider. Theatresports, musical improv, guest shows... all in the cutest little theatre. Oh and the classes are reasonable and fun. For sure worth it and so much more memorable than a movie. You scan stream a movie, but these shows are all one of a kind. read more

We went to Mopco Improv Theatre TWICE in December. The first was for a "typical" show ... this theme was "Spontaneous Broadway". We went with another couple. The improv actors were funny and creative. The story lines were interesting... even more so because they were based on audience suggestions. Several of the improv artists were strong singers which made certain songs especially entertaining. The second time we went was for the New Year's Eve Family show at 7 pm. We took our 12 year old granddaughter. Good family fun with lots of laughs. Nice job to all. Prices are affordable. The cookies from the snack "bar" were excellent and a nice treat to accompany the show. read more

TL;DR - I love this place. Go. Leave smiling. Quick story. My very first experience with improv was when I was in High School. My friends and I were enjoying our new found independence, and we were always looking for places to go on a Saturday night. Many of my peers would go to the movies. And, you know, movies are cool and all. But I just wasn't really into that scene. Neither was the party circuit. I never saw the appeal in drinking crappy beer and behaving badly. For the sake of full disclosure, I wasn't invited to too many parties anyhow. However, there was this funky little improv troupe that performed in a small theater. The price of your ticket was a fixed dollar amount plus the sum from a roll of a six sided die. In the end, it didn't cost much more than a night at the movies, and it was much much more fun. Some of the bits I saw over the years were etched into my brain. Jump ahead (cough, cough years) to 2018. The Capital Region has an incredible improve troupe performing in a refurbished firehouse in Schenectady. It's not in the bad part of Schenectady. It's in the good part of Schenectady. Right across from Perreca's and next door to Civitello's on upper Jay Street. They even make grilled cheese sandwiches at the concession stand using Perreca's famous bread. I've been a fan of this group for many years. But just this past Saturday, I finally caught a performance of Spontaneous Broadway. Improv groups have all kinds of different games they play and different structures for applying what they do. In Spontaneous Broadway the audience gets to suggest different musicals for the improvisers to create. Then, the audience votes on which show they would like to see in full. After a fifteen minute intermission, the cast has created a set, the music director has written an overture, and the players emerge in costume. The show we were treated to on Saturday was "Legends of the Swamp" and featured the hit song "Floridian Prime". It was a love story about a mythical alligator who knew the secrets to paradise, and a theme park princess who had a penchant for evil. Even though that wasn't the show I voted for--or even my second runner up (I wanted to see "Be Happy Anyway" which better suited my mood)--it was a hoot. It's improv. So every night the cast makes stuff up. Some things are funny. Some things are not. And some things are so funny, you'll never ever forget them. And we have this. Here! Well, in Schenectady. But it's really accessible from anywhere. I used to drive 40 minutes to an hour through horrible Coconut Grove traffic on a Saturday night just to see improv. It's totally worth it. Plus if you're the kind of person who needs a beer, wine, or cider to have a good time, the concession stand has those too. And the theater bakes some house made sweets, which are pretty darn good for a concession stand. read more

The Mopco Improv Theatre - Spontaneous Broadway is just one of the fun shows you can catch at MopCo, but it's a hoot. - Performing Arts Near Me - Schenectady, New York

What a wonderful performance space! I was lucky enough to learn about last night's "Storytime Time" show through Yelp. There's a small concession area in the lobby with delicious looking baked goods (fresh outta the oven)....along with popcorn, candy and some choice adult bevvies. There was a total of 6 "story tellers" plus the fabulous host Ethan. I would totally come back here for another "Storytime Time" and other performances. Love seeing local talent and smiling faces! Congrats on the new space! read more

The Mopco Improv Theatre - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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We got invited here through a friend who was performing improv. I had never been to an improv type of comedy show so I was very intrigued. When you first walk in to this theater it is super adorable And smells delicious from the food being made. The beer selection was great and you can even bring your beer into the theater! It's a very small theater but it makes it even more personable. We had so much fun I would highly recommend that you catch a show. The area is perfect as well because you can plan on going out before or after or both in the Schenectady area. Food, bars and fun - it was a great night out! read more

What a cute little venue! Tucked away in a refurbished firehouse this small theater is perfect for standup, improv and as we attended story telling. Lobby is not large so important that people move along, on a sold out night this concept did not register with everyone and no one offered direction to the half dozen people blocking the entrance to the theater. Small concession stand offers refreshments for before or during the show. Nice option a lot of theaters do not offer. Seating is open and we arrived 1/2 hour before the show to find half of the seats marked as reserved. Only three rows of seats, we ended up in third row on the end. With so many reserved seats coming in we found ourselves getting up and down to allow this people in arriving after us. So not sure what time you would need to arrive to actually choose your seat!! We were attending for Story Time Time and Ethan Ultman was awesome as host! Engaging and funny, every thing you want in a host. Clearly, his years of doing this is evident in the mix of stories and story tellers. Some new and evident, some so experienced that you wanted the dramatic pause to be over and then some were just telling their stories and making you laugh! I believe Justin did the Cosco story, I will never look at the big box stores the same again! Very funny!! One complaint was the temperature, it was 32 outside and felt like 92 inside. Not a lot of room for coats with the seating sold out and got uncomfortably warm in under and hour. I am sure lights and number of bodies did not help. Might consider layers when dressing. read more

Our family went to Mopco today (including kids between 7 and 13), and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The cast was talented, professional, and appeared to be having as much fun as we were. Kids and adults alike were laughing hysterically during much of the show, and my children are already asking when we'll go again (which we will!). It was a great, affordable afternoon of family fun and we'll be back again soon. read more

I had a blast celebrating my friend's birthday at Mopco! I'm a huge "Whose Line is it Anyway" fan, so I was really looking forward to this. We attended a show called "Maestro", where 12 or so actors competed against each other through various improv games. One of my friends noted a scoring error, and they actually brought her on stage to fix it and keep score for a while. They were great sports about it! The improvising was top notch, and I laughed a lot. The lobby has a great concession stand with popcorn, baked goods, and local beers. Free popcorn if you check in on Yelp! I lucked out with a parking spot right on Jay Street, but there is a public lot a short walk away behind Perreca's if you need it. read more

I'm happy to write my 250th Yelp review for MopCo! What a fun show! They have a few different formats of entertaining performances, including Storytime Time (comics share true and funny stories with the crowd), Improv Jams (a workshop/show combo), and Spontaneous Broadway (Broadway-style songs created on the spot), plus improv classes for the young and old alike. In a previous location, I saw them do an improv performance similar to the TV show 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' with audience participation. The Storytime show was also fantastic, and I'm looking forward to checking out Spontaneous Broadway. The performers are super talented and very funny, and it's clear they work hard and take pride in their craft. In short, this is a fun, unique source of local entertainment in an intimate space with delicious refreshments, and a ticket price lower than seeing a movie. So why wouldn't you want to try it? Check their website for upcoming shows. read more

A lot of fun if you're in the area. Small, relaxed venue with good snacks. Will return

Stopped in for a drop-in class for $15, tickets through eventbrite, small class, great teacher: he was the owner.

Had a fun night out with my teenager (!). It was a blast to see what performers would come up with out of audience suggestions. Theatre has cool indie vibe. Recommend. read more

What a great show it was. I actually got on stage to help the professionals with my expert sound effects. It was a very funny night out.

If you're looking for a great night of entertainment and want to try something different, I highly recommend checking out this comedy troupe. I went to see them a couple weeks ago and they reminded me of one of my old favorite shows, "Who's Line Is It Anyway?", packaged with their own unique charm and cleverness, wrapped up in local Schenectady talent. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to some laughs. read more

Extremely talented group of comics. Clever and personable.

It was entertaining, I think I will go see it again at some time. The comics work hard to entertain you.

The show was very enjoyable! My girlfriend and I went here and loved it. I was in theater for 11yrs, and although little things may stick out, if you suspend your disbelief I'm sure you'll enjoy it. read more

I've seen the mop and bucket co a few different times. Before that I had only seen the improv shows at my college. Mopco is definitely a step up! If you're into improv/comedy and live in the capital region I'd check it out. They sort of rely on audience participation at times so be prepared for that. Don't worry though, they don't put audience members on the spot! All in all, it makes for an entertaining evening. read more

The Mopco Improv Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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The 14 players seemed to be having a great time as they screamed and laughed uproariously at each others improv, but the actors seemed to be putting on the show just for themselves. The actors all sat around the stage and could hear what was being said as the actors on stage whispered and mumbled under their breath. No one seemed to care that there was an audience (of only 8) who couldn't hear a word of what was being whispered and mumbled. Even the instructors gave out direction in hushed tones facing toward the actors who were just a few feet away. The instruction must not have been for the audience to hear as we were behind him and he certainly never tried to be heard by us. So the actors were making all sorts of jestures and waving of arms and I had no clue what they were doing or what noises they were making. But the other actors at the side of the stage were cheering them on and whooping it up. I felt ripped off paying $10 for what was really just a bunch of people getting together to practice improv amongst themselves. It was my first time going to Mopco and I won't ever go back. I couldn't wait for intermission so I could leave. read more