Washington Improv Theater to Open Permanent Home in NoMa in 2027
Washington Improv Theater is embarking on an ambitious new chapter as the organization prepares to establish its first permanent home in DC's thriving NoMa neighborhood. The nonprofit improv theater has secured a 30-year lease on a substantial 10,735 square foot space at 1222 3rd St. NE, marking a transformative moment for the 28-year-old institution.
The new facility will feature a 110-seat theater on the ground level, complemented by seven training and rehearsal rooms in the lower level. Plans also include a small café and bar area with outdoor seating, creating a welcoming community hub for improv enthusiasts and theatergoers alike. Local architectural firm DMArchitects, led by D. Matthew Alexander—himself an improviser who specializes in designing spaces that foster human connection—will bring the vision to life.
Currently, WIT maintains its artistic residence at Studio Theatre in Northwest DC for performances, now in its fourth year. The organization's classes and rehearsals, however, are scattered across various rented locations throughout the city, including art facilities, churches, and flexible workspaces. This fragmented arrangement has long limited the theater's potential to serve its community.
As DC's only nonprofit improvisational theater, WIT has dedicated nearly three decades to its mission of facilitating joy and self-discovery through creative collaboration and community building. Recent initiatives like Laughing Matters, launched in March for current and former federal workers, exemplify this commitment.
"WIT has always used improv comedy as a force for social good, so we're embracing this opportunity to grow our audiences and give more people the chance to explore just how transformative this artform can be," says WIT's Artistic and Executive Director, Mark Chalfant.
"Improv has always offered play as a remedy for DC's work-centered, daily grind culture. Now, when division and social isolation are rife, WIT serves as a beacon for joy and connection, and we need those more than ever," he adds.
The new space, scheduled to open in January 2027, represents a dramatic expansion of WIT's capabilities. With full control over scheduling and operations, the theater anticipates producing roughly 450 shows annually—triple its current output. Adult improv class enrollments are expected to double to approximately 2,200 students per year. Additionally, WIT@Work, the organization's professional development division, will finally have the ability to host on-site retreats and workshops for nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, covering topics from leadership development to team building and effective communication.
"Having control over our space and scheduling will give us the agency and agility we've dreamed of for decades," says Chalfant. "Being able to respond to current events — like the recent government shutdown, when we gave furloughed employees $5 seats to see shows and free spots in our classes — and make quick decisions about how to deploy venue resources is crucial."
"After searching for this kind of opportunity for over 10 years, we're delighted to have found the right neighborhood and the right landlord at just the right time," he adds.
The NoMa location offers significant strategic advantages. Situated steps from the Red Line's NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station and the Metropolitan Branch Trail, the space is easily accessible from Capitol Hill, H Street NE, and Union Station. The neighborhood's dynamic bar and restaurant scene, particularly around Union Market, has made NoMa a destination for both residents and visitors. Known as one of DC's most successful live/work/play neighborhoods, NoMa provides an ideal setting for a premier improv comedy venue.
"We think this will be a productive reciprocal relationship," says Chalfant of the move to NoMa. "WIT is usually part of a night out for folks, and NoMa gives tons of options for filling in the other parts. Conversely, our classes and WIT@Work workshops will draw regular daytime and evening traffic to NoMa that otherwise would not be there, which we think will support nearby businesses."
Maura Brophy, President and CEO of the NoMa Business Improvement District, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Washington Improv Theater brings a rare blend of creativity, community-building, and cultural vibrancy, all qualities that reflect the spirit of NoMa. We're thrilled to welcome them as a new cultural anchor in NoMa, and look forward to the connections, laughter, and new audiences they will bring to the neighborhood."
With the lease finalized, WIT faces approximately a year of design, permitting, and construction work before the space becomes operational. The organization has launched a major capital campaign to support the project, which carries an estimated price tag of $4 million. Funding will be drawn from multiple sources, including grants, donations, a tenant improvement allowance, and savings WIT has accumulated over more than a decade of planning for this moment.