Festival Unexpected Seattle 2026

Registration is open for Festival Unexpected Seattle, Unexpected Productions’ immersive improv festival and week-long learning experience. From August 24th to August 30th, improvisers from near and far will gather in Seattle for a full week of workshops, performances, parties, and community.

This year’s improv festival, featuring teachers Inbal Lori and Kelly Kitchens, focuses on the fun, messy, electric space between what people say and what they really mean.

Through workshops and performances centered on subtext and staging, improvisers will explore how silence, tension, movement, distance, and bold physical choices can turn a simple scene into something sharper, funnier, more cinematic, and surprisingly real. It is a festival for players who want to go beyond the obvious joke, stop just standing around talking, and discover the deeper choices that make improv feel alive, theatrical, and honest.

Spend the week learning, laughing, performing, and connecting with improvisers from around the world. Make new friends, catch up with old ones, and be part of an unforgettable celebration of improv in the heart of Seattle.

Festival Workshop & Performance Schedule

Monday, 8/24

• 7:00 pm: F.U. Orientation Party

Tuesday, 8/25

• 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Festival Duos/Trios/Groups (at Jules Maes)

Wednesday, 8/26

• 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Physical Improv
• 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Festival Duos/Trios/Group

Thursday, 8/27

• 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Festival Show by Inbal Lori

Friday, 8/28

• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm: Market Theater Workshop (Kelly Kitchens)
• 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Market Theater Workshop (Inbal Lori)
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Happy Hour Performance * Featuring festival participants (Sign-up required for either Friday or Saturday).
• 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Rebel Frequencies * An improvised play exploring hope in dystopian times.
• 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM: TheatreSports * A high-stakes Mainstage Battle featuring the UP Ensemble and Festival Guests.

Saturday, 8/29

• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm: Georgetown Workshop (Sessions 1 & 2)
• 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Georgetown Workshop (Sessions 3 & 4)

• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Happy Hour Performance * Featuring festival participants (Sign-up required for either Friday or Saturday).
• 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Rebel Frequencies * An improvised play exploring hope in dystopian times.
• 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM: TheatreSports * A high-stakes Mainstage Battle featuring the UP Ensemble and Festival Guests.

Sunday, Aug 30: Grand Finale

• 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM: Final Jam: The final participant showcase of the festival. Open to all students.
• 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Deep Dream (Starring Inbal Lori) A surrealist, dream-logic-inspired narrative performance.

Your Registration Includes:

• Friday: Attendance at group workshops with festival teachers.
• Saturday: Attendance at focused, deep-dive workshops with festival teachers.
• Full Access Passes: Tickets to attend all festival shows, including the guest teacher performances on Friday and Saturday.
• Performance Opportunities: A spot in Sunday’s Dust-Up performance, plus potential participation in select shows throughout the week (lineups to be determined).
• Socials: Entry to Monday’s welcoming party and various social events throughout the week.

Important Information

• Locations: Events will be held at Unexpected Productions' Market Theater (in the historic Pike Place Market) and at The Improv School in Georgetown.
• Prerequisite: These workshops are designed for intermediate to advanced improvisers, with at least some improv experience.
• Please note that events, workshops, teachers, and performances are subject to change.

Your registration includes

• Attendance at group workshops on Friday with the Kelly Kitchens and Inbal Lori
• Attendance at focused morning and afternoon workshops with the festival teachers on Saturday
• Tickets to attend all shows, including the guest teacher performances on Friday and Saturday
• Performance opportunities in Sunday’s Dust-Up performance
• Attendance at Monday’s welcoming party and social events throughout the week
• Participation in select shows throughout the week (to be determined later)

Events will be held at Unexpected Productions' Market Theater in the historic Pike Place Market and at The Improv School in Georgetown.

Previous improv experience is required.

Please note that events, workshops, teachers, and performances are subject to change.