About Us

Founded in 2015, Blackout is the Twin Cities first all-black improv troupe and we have redefined the improv scene in Minnesota. We seek to put more Black performers on more stages, to create comedic dialogue around serious truths, and to provide improv access for Black students. We create a dialogue with the audience with our flagship format, Swag Hat, and invite all experiences to the theater so that we can have an honest, inclusive conversation. 

Our troupe consists of seasoned improvisers, teachers, visual artists, actors, dancers, comedians, writers, and creatives dedicated to building experiences that bring people together. You may spot our members on stages across town, on screen, or producing their own works across the creative industry.

With over 10,000 hours of training, teaching, and individual experience under our belts, we have sold out shows, created partnerships, taught internationally, and mounted our own festival, the Black and Funny Improv Festival, which is held annually in Minnesota at HUGE Improv Theater.

Blackout's founders are Alsa Bruno, Joy Dolo Anfinson, Andy Hilbrands, John Gebretatose and Kory LaQuess Pullam.