Steel City Improv Theater

Founding (2010)

Justin Zell and Kasey Daley, who had spent a decade in New York City's improv and theatre community, returned to Pittsburgh in 2010 and began teaching long-form improv out of a community center in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Their philosophy centered on "Listen, Commit, and Play" as the foundational principles of ensemble work.

Permanent Venues (2011 and 2014)

The company opened its first 40-seat theater in East Deutschtown in 2011, providing a dedicated performance home for the growing Pittsburgh improv community. In 2014 Steel City relocated to an 80-seat venue in the Shadyside neighborhood, expanding capacity for its classes, shows, and corporate workshops.

Pandemic Closure and Return

The theater closed temporarily from March 2020 through July 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming its weekend show, class, and corporate workshop schedule. The company continues to operate in Shadyside as Pittsburgh's primary dedicated long-form improv institution.

Steel City Improv Theater presents long-form improv centered on ensemble listening, commitment, and play. Zell and Daley's New York City backgrounds inform a training curriculum that prioritizes the fundamentals of ensemble work over games-based short-form. The company serves Pittsburgh performers through structured class tracks and house ensemble programming.