Such a super fun place! A unique experience well worth the price of admission. We cant wait to go back!

What an amazing surprise this is! We hardly noticed it walking by. It is the best find in Dayton! Ohios got talent! For just a few dollars and a cheap bottle of wine purchased from the local market, we had the most incredible evening with friends. Also nearby was a little corner diner with the tastiest food then across the street to an upscale trendy brew pub with great ambiance and atmosphere. There was a little outdoor patio where people could enjoy a beer with their pups. We met some new people and their faithful friends. Enjoy!

Fun evening

Love this place!! Tonight was our first visit and we cannot wait to return.Laughter is good for the soul, so you leave feeling better than when you arrived.

Omg it was like a Xperia.

I love the black box theater! Its a new experience every time you go. Notice I said new experience, thats very important. A lot of the performers are amature or just new to improv and you can tell. They also tell you that they are new. If you expect each bit to be hilarious or even just good then you will be disappointed. But if you appreciate people giving it their best and performing original material then you will love it!

Not only did I learn about improv by taking classes, I found a vibrant and welcoming community of funny people who are a wonderful part of what makes Dayton such a great place to live.

If you are looking for a good night out you have to check out this place. Its a cozy friendly atmosphere and the acts keep you laughing.

The black box improv experience is so much fun! The improv musical nights might be my favorite, but I’ve enjoyed the shows each time I’ve been!

My dad put on a show and it was amazing and there are two shows going on at once so you better choose witch one to go to

Great place for a fun night! We went for the Saturday night show and had a blast. The musical improv was impressive with a band playing the score and the cast making up some great songs. It is BYOB (for now?) So plan accordingly. They dont mind if you bring food but if you Door Dash something you might want the person working the ticket counter know.

Great place and BYOB. Space is well used, came on apparently a very busy night. Nice little beer and wine shop across the road if you forgot before arriving.Troupe apparently varies night to night. The folks that night were quite good at times doing challenging improv exercises. Very enjoyable and would return.

Great place first time visitng the Black box.The rat pack was the them of the show great poetry and singing/rapping

It was mostly very good experience when I took the first two levels of classes there. It ended badly, but the dirt the owner did refund my money. The biggest problem was a cancellation of the level three class which I missed because I only had time to take that before I left town. It was magic at least at the time that I was there. Im not sure if anything can or will quite replace it. The shows that Ive seen or hit or miss; when they were good they were really good!

A great date night/friend night/fun night. Besides being very enjoyable to watch, its a great price and you get to bring in your own food and drinks! Seriously, you have to check this place out.

Its truly amazing to have a place like this in our little city of Dayton! Top notch improv and BYOB! I highly recommend taking a class as improv training translates to so many corners of everyday life. Make sure to stop in when they do an Improv Musical! You will think that it was scripted, but it is all made up right on the spot. Come and check it out! You will not be disappointed!

It was such a great experience!!! Very funny

Always a good time at the Black Box. Intimate atmosphere up close and personal with the performers makes you really emmerse yourself in the show. Bring a drink and sit back and enjoy a good laugh.

Weve been before to performances at the Black Box and really enjoyed it. It truly is a great value for your entertainment dollar.But last night I took the first of class in an 8 week workshop to learn how to do improv. One of my children had previously taken classes and got a lot out of it. Justin, the owner, is a great mentor and teacher.So I expected to enjoy last night but I was surprised at how much I learned in a very short time. Justin went over some initial improv instruction. But what was even more enlightening was a combination of his use of his experience and collected data to explain why people react the way they do initially in improv, as well as, why and how we can learn to do it differently. He also went over how what we learn in improv translates into behaviors that can improve relationships both personal and professional.I had a blast night and I felt really uplifted and part of something bigger than me. That may sound hokey but after recent events here in Dayton it felt so good to be involved in something so positive. We are very lucky to have Justin and the Black Box family as our neighbors. I cant wait until next week for class and going to a performance this weekend. Check their website for details.

Loved it! Fun and cheap night out. The performers kept me laughing and wanting more. I was sad when the show ended. Ill definitely be back!

That was alot of fun! I would go again next week!

Great show. Will be back.

They are so ooooio funny! Cool place

The black box improv theater is a great place to come see amazing amateur performers jump right in as the audience gives them a word to play on. We had a great time. It was very similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway or Saturday Night Live. It cost only $5.00 per person to get in.

Great improv comedy groups!! Loved the performances!

Very entertaining! Would highly recommend going with a date or group of friends/family, and BYOB! We love going here, new content every time, and they do an excellent job.

The introductory class was astoundingly supportive and very well organized with an exellent learning curve. Had trouble finding parking but otherwise a very very delightful experience. Some of the best get to know you activities I have ever encountered.

Absolutely LOVE this improv group! Ive been going sporadically for two years now and I have never NOT cried from laughing in any show Ive been to! SO GOOD! Also, for those that are wondering, this isnt the kind of improv where they expect the audience members to get on stage or do anything crazy. The group will ask for some suggestions or stories at the beginning of the show for some ideas, but thats it.Bottom line, if you havent been and can enjoy a good laugh, you should definitely check it out!

What a treasure this is to have in Dayton. Just like the big cities, we have our own improv theatre! though not very big. I enjoyed a Wednesday night there. Very informal. Only $5 on Wednesdays. Every half hour a new group of performers come on stage. These are all local people who have taken classes in inprov. I enjoyed it very much. It is worth a try if you have never been to an improv. And you can bring your own food and drink.

Great local shop. Everytime i come here i laugh out loud.

Went one night just to check it out and now is my favorite place to take friends for a great night out! Also terrific for a date night with my husband! Make sure you BYOB, (which really helps make this an affordable night out) and prepare to laugh till your stomach hurts!

A very entertaining evening watching the level one class doing their first performance. Well done and highly recommended!

Absolutely amazing, there wasnt even a whole minute that I wasnt laughing.

BYOB and laugh until your sides hurt and tears are ruining your mascara! This place is a new and fun way to spend an evening....It is always a great time!!

So fun love that it is amateurs cant wait to go back

Various groups put on hilarious skits! BYOB so you always have your choice of beverage. Enjoy it with friends or as a date night.

Great performers and you get to bring your own food and drinks.

These guys were good. They really paid attention to the audience, it felt as though we were a part of the show. The venue itself was pretty cool. Bring your own booze was a new thing I havent encountered before at a theater. Wasnt the best comedy Ive seen but definitely worth the time and money.

1 hour of improv for 5 bucks not bad most of the performers are local and its not bad

Daytons best kept secret thats what this place is always something different. The performers are fantastic. Great place to break the ice on a new relationship and without a doubt date night .

Fun and funny. Also BYOB. The first half of the show is always fun scenes inspired but audience input. The second half has a unique structure that helps add variety to repeat visits. Im particularly fond of the improvised musicals.

Lots of laughs. Take class, its a great learning experience

Is Dayton the third city??? Those who know, do. The rest of us are left wondering and wandering! Do check back when you know for sure?

The classes are great and the shows are funny! Highly recommended.

Absolutely hilarious improvised musical! Loved it!

2nd visit here with the Friday cast. We love this place. Even when the scene isnt going so well, the cast is entertaining and makes you root for them. This will be one of our go-to spots for a night out.

Really fun place. If youre tired of the usual night out, this is a great place to experience something different and enjoyable.

They have great performances. The venue is small, but they make up for it by allowing you to bring food and you own drinks into the building. If you are looking for a good fun date, you should check them out.

Their all improve night was awesome! I just came home from their and have not laughed that hard in years. I would highly recommend going to check them out and will try to go see them regularly!

Great fun whether you are taking a course or going to a show. Go now. Go again tomorrow. Tell your friends. Black Box People ROCK!!

Only $5 for 2 hours of some decent comedy

Can improv get any better? These people are the definition of greatness. If you want to laugh, if you want to see something different, you have to come here. I dont get to Dayton often, but I have started to make Black Box a mandatory stop every time. The people continue to amaze!!!

Had one hell of a experience last night. Awesome show and very entertaining

My girlfriend and I love watching the local improvisors at the Black Box Improv Theatre! Always a great, funny time!

What an absolutely fabulous time. Laughed so hard I cried at one point. Nice change to the same ole dinner and a movie!

I appreciate the response from the owner. I did not take the refund since I moved to another state, so my life has been wild since than. However the notion of them fixing an error is good.

Best entertainment in Dayton. Great atmosphere, great cast, and a ton of fun.

Good fun, fair price, and nice people!

I am taking a class here and the teachers are excellent.

Had some great shows here and one not so great, but I think that comes with the territory of improv. I will continue to come because its fun and unique

A fantastic community of creative and brave performers. Get inspired and laugh all at the same time!

Great plays. Great cast. Love the trees.

A real gem in the city. Take a class, trust me!

BYOB & Food! The perfect combo as you watch friends perform on stage.

My wife and I decided to have an impromptu date night early in the afternoon. I scrambled to find something interesting or fun or different to do for it. After trolling through the various local events, I saw an ad for A.I. and Womit 2.0. A quick text to confirm that this would be a potentially acceptable date, tickets purchased online, and we were set. Ive seen some improv and even been slightly involved once (I was the audience member picked for part of a scene - so not that involved). We have watched a entirely too many episodes of Whose Line. ., so we had an idea of what to expect.We arrived at the theater about when it opened, 30 minutes before a performance, and found our reserved table, second row with an excellent view of the stage. By excellent view, I mean it was about five feet away, so it was definitely ideal. It was fun listening to the music and watching people come in to fill the performance - it wasnt quite a sell-out crowd but pretty close.[Note: The Black Box offers a couple of soft drinks and water. The mistake I had made was that I didnt read where they suggest bringing your own drinks/food, if youd like more. That said, it was dang funny sober.]Womit 2.0 is a series of improv sketches keyed off a single word heard by the cast called out by the audience at the beginning of the performance. This nights word was collectibles. Each scene built off of the original scene, which was built around the word. It was creative and organic and there was definitely a story that evolved - Ive watched movies with a lot less plot than they made up as they went along. I laughed a lot, the audience laughed a lot, and I dont think Ive seen my wife laugh that hard without having hurt myself in a long time.A.I. is sort of a hybrid improv. One actor has a script and sticks to it regardless of what happens. In addition, there are two improvisers who have no idea what the script is about dealing with the chaos a focused participant can bring. Two of the scenes grabbed me as especially great - the Dad discussions and the Existential Crisis with two airline pilots. Both had the audience locked into the story, anticipating what twists and turns and laughs were going to come next.We will definitely be back. If you havent been to a show, I heartily recommend you fix that - bring a date, bring friends, bring your dates friends - it is worth it.I had been talking with some college friends about how the theater reminds me of one of the theaters at our school - and as I described the theater and the performance during intermission, one of them said, Im glad you hit improv gold! and we definitely had. Keep up the good work.

Good humor. I took improv classes here and it was a great experience. I even went on stage and had a show.

Fun place

Great night out with our couple friends! It was hilarious!

I have been through two levels of black box improv classes now and I hopped on here to see some of the reviews out of curiosity and I was very surprised to see the negative ones I read. I felt compelled to tell my experience from taking classes since it differed so greatly from some things I read. I couldnt disagree more with the review calling out the owner. In my opinion he has created a great environment to learn improv and have fun. He also seems to have some really great advice that I find very helpful. I couldnt recommend taking the classes enough.On top of that the shows are always a good time and very enjoyable. If youre concerned about seeing the sketch shows like others have noted, they do not do sketch anymore so fear not!

Phenomenal, if you didnt laugh (which seems impossible) come another night. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday shows. BYOB

My boyfriend and I have been here several times and always leave with a stomach ache from laughing so hard. We love the Black Box Theater and intend to visit many more times.

Really enjoyed. Bring your own drink even made it more affordable.

Hilarious troupe, fun atmosphere. And BYOB is fantastic! (You could buy beer across the street at Barrelhouse!)

Have been here several times and its always something different. I have never left feeling disappointed.

I would not recommend the classes.The owner is a jerk. He’s like that really irritating kid from high school that constantly wanted to be the center of attention. He walks in and out of the room while class is going on. Has conversations in the room, eats, randomly interrupts to tell jokes or make mildly sexist comments, and cuts off the person actually teaching the class to repeat things that were said when he wasn’t around. At one point he bragged about how his wife didn’t get the theater in their divorce. Spends a lot of time telling you how amazing he is at doing improv (if he was as good as he’s claims he wouldn’t need to try to convince you). And it’s not like there’s no other space for him to be, he has an office in a separate room.If this was just a need for attention or him being oblivious to how disrespectful he is to everyone, it could probably be ignored. But his defense of this behavior was: “I’m the king of this space, I don’t have to listen to anyone.” “Students are just a $100 dollars to me, I don’t care if people don’t have a good time. I’ve got 70-80 people desperate to get on my stage, I don’t need to make anyone happy.” “I can do whatever I want, you can drive to Columbus if you don’t like it because I’m the only choice here. There’s some lady that does stuff at Wiley’s, but they suck.” “I tell people that complain to go start their own theaters.” “Everyone that comes in here sucks, I don’t know why they just do.”It was pretty clear that he was not actually interested in teaching people and thinks he has some sort of holy-grail in having a performance space. If the best defense you have for your behavior is that people have no other choice than to deal with you and you’re okay with that I don’t want know what to say. I’ve done improv for about 7 years, and I do it because it’s usually fun and most people are friendly. The person that’s ‘desperate’ to get on stage is rare. If you’re interested in having fun and doing improv, I would recommend taking the owner’s advice and driving to Columbus, or Cincinnati, or getting in touch with the Lofty Aspirations (the lady that does stuff at Wiley’s), instead of coming here. If you really are ‘desperate’ to get on stage, you might be better off trying an open mic night.

Very funny, laughed, and they have soda

Awesome hidden gem in the gem city. all locals perform at this hilarious improv theater! you can bring your own beer, none is served, and the shows are always a great time. highly recommended, so give it a go any friday or saturday night. perfect for a date night or just getting out of the house for something new. they also provide improv and sketch writing classes!

Summary: If you like improv a lot and none of the college troupes in the area are performing that night, it might be worth your time/money (the website does at least say when the sketch shows are playing so you can avoid them). Otherwise, you’re probably better off streaming a season of Whose Line for less.I’ve been to the theater a few times, figured I’d give it a few chances since improv is sometimes hit or miss. I guess it was too much to hope for the type of show you’d see in San Francisco, New York, or Austin (my points of reference) in Dayton, Ohio. It’s not bad, it’s just not great. They sometimes drift into that awkward high school play territory where the performers are clearly enjoying the show more than the audience and you feel sort of bad for them. It made me squirm in my seat like I was watching someone embarrassing themselves trying to sing on American Idol. Not the whole show, just one or two scenes here and there, but there’s a reason I don’t watch reality T.V.There big thing seems to be doing a show where they interview an audience member on stage and then do scenes based on this. The interviews were pretty funny, but I think some of that was just the people being interviewed. In two of the three shows I saw where they did this, they ended up acting out part of the person’s story nearly verbatim, but a little weirder and the original story was funnier.While the improv was okay, the sketch comedy was terrible. The nicest thing I can say is that it made it very clear that the first half of the show was improvised, because if they had planned it, it would have been a lot worse. The acting was bad with people stumbling over lines or making weird faces that I think were supposed to be emotions. The concepts of a few of the scenes were funny, but they just didn’t come together, and other sketches felt like they forgot to put in the punchline. And all of that might have been palatable, if it hadn’t been so slow. Each scene transition took probably 2-3 minutes (if felt longer) which is long for a theater with actual scenery and costumes to change and it just gave you time to stew on why the last scene didn’t make sense. The friend I went with kept asking if the long break meant they were done (and we could leave). If you’re going to go, definitely go on a night they’re not doing sketches. If you really want the experience save yourself $15 dollars, find the worst episode of the blue collar comedy tour sketch show on youtube and pause it for two minutes between each sketch.Which brings up the price. For starters their price is nowhere on their website, which is just irritating, and I am always suspicious when someone won’t be upfront about their cost. When I called to ask about the price the first time I went, it was 25 minutes before the show and no one answered. Before I go someplace, I want to know how much it’s going to be, whether I’ll need to bring cash or can pay by card, and where to park (None of which is on their useless website, but if you need to know the founders life story it’s there. I don’t know if it’s on their social media pages, because I’m not going to friend you on facebook and deal with your spam just to find out how much a show costs). Every time I went the price was different (there were a few months in between so maybe they just raised the price) and maybe they charge extra for their sketch show, which if they do is just insulting. Anyway, $15 dollars seems steep for an okay theater in Dayton. You can see Upright Citizens Brigade in New York for less and they’re way better and in a way more expensive city.P.S. I think at least one of the 5 star reviews was written by one of the performers.

Wonderful improv for very enjoyable evening

Great for date night, great atmosphere and talent!

It was a really fun show highly recommend

Do this! A unique and hilarious way to spend an evening!

Great evening out, overall great value

Fun and entertaining!

Very entertaining.

Went to the Friday show and was thoroughly impressed

Fun evening, lots of laughs

Laugh per dollar quotient is high

When theyre on, its a great time!

Look forward another visit.

Cheap and fun :)

Such a great place for Dayton

Great time out with friends

First time

Improv is an unique experience

Inexpensive fun

Improv. No frills, just great fun!

Always a great time.