Pan Theater is Oakland`s Improv Theater. Pan was founded in February of 2002 to provide a place for people to study, practice and do improv. Improv theater shows. Pan offers: -Live Weekly Shows Improv Shows -A full improv performance training program (with thousands of alumni) -Ongoing performance opportunities -Drop-in and speciality classes We focus on improv that is organic, truthful and emotionally rich. Pan is a community improv theater. Students come from all walks of life. Teachers, students, homemakers, artists, techies, carpenters and more come together to explore improv, make friends and have fun. Pan is a place that inspires creativity and learning by doing. 30 seconds from BART.
I tried the free trial at Pan Theater and signed up for the full course the same week. The improv classes in Oakland are exactly what I was looking for. Welcoming to beginners, easy to access via BART, and the community is amazing. 24 years of experience really shows.
April 2026
Saw an improv show at Pan Theater last Friday and had a blast! Downtown Oakland's best-kept secret for live comedy. The troupe is talented, the venue is intimate, and tickets are way more affordable than similar improv theaters in San Francisco. If you're looking for improv shows in Oakland, this is the spot.
