The Cookout: I Blame Tyler Perry + Baggage Claim + Lena Dunham Improv

Say goodbye to the heat, the grind, and the headlines. Say hello to a night of laughter with WIT.

Now in its sixth year, The Cookout is WIT’s hugely popular celebration of Black improv in the DMV. It is the brainchild of WIT improvisers Krystal Ali and Jamal Newman, and features outstanding all-Black indie troupes from the DC area and Baltimore, as well as WIT’s all-Black company ensemble, Lena Dunham Improv.

The Cookout consistently sells out and, trust us, you don’t want to miss it!

I BLAME TYLER PERRY

They play with and exaggerate the themes found in Black dramedy. Like Tyler Perry, but not Tyler Perry.

Cast: Lexcia Carr, Imani Franklin , Chizo Nwagwu, Arie Rich, Jelicia Ross, Francesca Washington.

Baggage Claim

One of the longest-running all-Black indie improv troupes in the District specialize in unpacking your emotional baggage in front of a live audience! (It’s fun and funny, we promise!)

Cast: Samiyyah Ali, Kendall Hollimon, Precious Jenkins, Renee Namakau Ombaba, Clyde Thompson, Eddison Wilkinson

Lena Dunham Improv

The members of WIT’s all-Black ensemble transform your conversations with your Black friends into art.

Cast: Arie Rich, Darnell Eaton, Eva Lewis, Jamal Newman, Krystal Ali, Samiyyah Ali, Simone Webster, Slli’m Williams

ABOUT WIT

WIT shows are perfect for a date night, out-of-towners visiting, or just something new and spontaneous to do. All for just $20.

For 28 years, Washington Improv Theater’s experienced teams of improv comedians have taken a simple suggestion or story from an audience member and turned it into a never-before-seen comedy show. And because every performance is based on an audience suggestion, that night’s show will never happen again! Our homegrown talent has gone on to SNL, The Daily Show, HBO’s Insecure and The White Lotus, and more!

Accessible pricing: For those who experience cost as a barrier, a limited number of affordable pricing tickets are available using the code AFFORDABLE at check-out. 

Go to our Plan Your Visit page to learn about WIT shows and view our health and accessibility policies.

WIT may have still or video photography at its events. Entry to the event serves as consent to be filmed for WIT’s promotional purposes only.