Rigorous academics often take center stage at the University of Chicago, but a student group is proving that spontaneity, laughter and creativity deserve a spotlight of their own. Off-Off Campus, UChicago’s oldest improv and sketch comedy troupe that was founded in 1986 by The Second City co-founder Bernie Sahlins, AB’43, and encourages generations of performers to explore, connect and unwind.
Off-Off Campus has been a place for students seeking a creative outlet amid the whirlwind of coursework. According to second-year Sohaib Samad, joining the group has been a stimulating counterbalance to academic life.
“At this university especially, you spend so much time wrapped up in your classes,” Samad said. “Off-Off Campus gives a totally different vibe from the rest of the day. It stretches your brain in new ways. It’s super refreshing.”
A Space to Create and Collaborate
Improv, unlike most forms of performance art, requires both teamwork and vulnerability. Performers must build entire scenes in real time, drawing on intuition, trust and a commitment to what they call the “yes, and” philosophy—accepting and expanding on others’ ideas.
“You learn a lot about listening,” said Samad. “You have to let other people talk and give them the space to express their ideas. Sometimes you have to throw away your own ideas and adapt, and that’s part of it.”
Each rehearsal begins with warm-up games to shake off the day’s stress before the troupe dives into longer scenes, practicing for the performances that make Off-Off Campus unique. The group’s signature is long-form improv, where stories unfold organically, often transforming from emotional beginnings into high-energy finales filled with clever callbacks and satisfying resolutions.
“It’s like writing a story in real time,” Samad said. “You don’t know where it’s going to end, but the best shows tie together beautifully.”
Generations of Laughter and Mentorship
Second-years Frankie Polyak and Dylan Furbay, both members of Off-Off’s 39th generation, echo Samad’s sentiments about the sense of community that defines the troupe.
“We rehearse with the same group of people most days for three hours and we really get to know them,” Polyak said. “Improv relies on trust and understanding each other, so that closeness is essential.”
The troupe’s generational structure means each new cohort trains with upperclassmen who pass down not only comedic techniques, but also advice on navigating college life.
Beyond the performances and late-night rehearsals, members describe Off-Off as a family. Samad describes it in three words: “supportive, refreshing, developmental.”
“These are some of my closest friends,” Samad said. “Off-Off has helped me grow, not just as a performer but as a person. I’ve gained empathy, confidence and emotional maturity. It’s changed how I see myself and others.”
“It’s good to have role models who help you figure out how to move through college,” said Furbay.
For all three performers, that mentorship has been as formative as the comedy itself.
“They teach you more than improv,” Polyak said. “They teach you how to be part of something larger than yourself.”
Chaos and Creative Growth
With five shows each quarter, Off-Off Campus is one of the most prolific performing arts groups at UChicago. The troupe alternates between improv and sketch shows—some inspired by audience stories, others centered on themes like modern events or American culture. Their most recent show, “Hamilton Two: Back in Blood,” blended parody, music, and social satire in true Off-Off fashion.
“It’s Monday and we have no idea what’s going to be in the show that goes up Friday,” said Furbay. “That’s the thrill—you’re creating something from scratch.”
At a school often stereotyped as where fun goes to die, Off-Off Campus serves as a joyful counterpoint and a reminder that creativity and fun are vital parts of intellectual life.
“It shows that things can be unserious,” said Samad. “You can spend time doing something that has no implications for your degree, simply because you love it.”
Polyak agrees. “I love laughing,” he said. “And there’s never been a place where I’ve laughed as much as at Off-Off Campus rehearsals.”
As Off-Off Campus looks towards the future, its members hope to see the campus arts scene grow alongside them. Whether you’re a die-hard comedy fan or a student looking to unwind after midterms, their shows promise a night of laughter, community, and a sense of belonging. It’s living proof that even at a school known for its intensity, joy has a place at UChicago.