Imagine C-SPAN being suddenly swarmed by the cast of SNL”
— Minneapolis Star Tribune
Public policy meets improv? Cue the laugh track!
— The Bush Foundation
Using comedy to reframe hard thinky stuff
The Theater of Public Policy is the country’s favorite (and coincidentally only) civics-inspired improv comedy company. We connect audiences with timely issues and ideas by interviewing policymakers, big thinkers and subject-matter experts, and then our cast illuminates the content through an audience-engaging improv performance.
The Theater of Public Policy Upcoming Events
The best improv cast in the whole wide world!
What does it take to be “C-SPAN suddenly swarmed by the cast of SNL?” It takes a team of the craftiest improvisers and the smartest of cookies! Professional actors, academics, policy wonks, musicians, composers, embracers of their inner weirdos, writers, and all-around great people who are empathetic, curious and resourceful improvisers.
What is Civics-inspired Improv?
Get a glimpse into the world of the Theater of Public Policy and see for yourself how funny we make metro transit, fertility and heart disease.
A Tale of Two Transits Montage
This is a clip from the Theater of Public Policy show with Metropolitan Council Chair, Sue Haigh in 2015.
To Fertility and Beyond
An improv show on the topic of fertility? It can only be the Theater of Public Policy at Gustavus Adolphus College's 53rd Nobel Conference.
Infrastructure of Dreams: If we improv, will they come?
This show is from a residency the Theater of Public Policy had in Washington DC at the Capital Fringe Theater.
Our audiences say the nicest things
“The Theater has a policy purpose and fun format; it takes on issues of public policy, invites opposing experts to discuss the topic and then “improv” actors have some fun with what they learned about the issue. Think Dudley Riggs doing public policy!”
— Kim Crockett, Center of the American Experiment
“Danger Boat has to be one of the most significant and successful educational experiences that has visited our campus in the last decade. Our students were engaged, enthusiastic and cannot stop talking about it.”
— Jack E. Rogers, Ph.D., Director of Forensics, University of Central Missouri
Public Policy Podcasts
The Theater of Public Policy coming to you from your phone? Bring your political content to life with your favorite (and only) civics-inspired improv comedy company. Reach out to us today to find out how!
The Millenial Farmer
Zach Johnson is a fifth-generation Minnesota farmer. The industry obviously looks much different than it did when his great-great-grandfather was working the land. Yet there are very modern challenges as well, like a precarious trade situation and landscape impacted by climate change. We asked Johnson all about this, and how he finds time to maintain a YouTube channel while harvesting his crops.
Is this the era for the ERA?
Should gender equity be written into Minnesota law? For decades, advocates have been pushing for just that, and earlier this year they got a major win when the Minnesota House voted to put an Equal Rights Amendment in front of voters in 2020. Is this the time for the ERA in Minnesota? We asked Betty Folliard, founder of ERA Minnesota. (Hint: she says yes!)
The Commissioner of Public Safety
Who oversees police and public safety across the state of Minnesota? It’s former Metro Transit and St. Paul police chief John Harrington! Needless to say, Harrington has goals to diversify police departments across the state and improve police community relations.