Behind the Blue Door: A Brief 30 Year History

Celebrating 30 Years of Improv, Community, and Creativity

Thirty years ago, a small group of improvisers opened a door in Spokane as an invitation to play, create, laugh, and build a community around something creative and humorous. That door eventually became the Blue Door Theatre.

The Early Days: Unexpected Productions Spokane

The story begins in 1996, when Mark Robbins founded Unexpected Productions Spokane, which was the first incarnation of the Blue Door Theatre. In those early years, performers brought weekly shows to life every Friday night, creating a new space in town for improv comedy.

After years of performing in various spaces around Spokane, we found our first home in downtown Spokane. With the help of Jason and Harmony Frederick, we officially became The Blue Door Theatre, named simply because the front door was blue. This was also the moment when we became a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit arts organization. Becoming a non-profit was a major milestone that solidified our mission and long-term presence in the community.

A Community-Built Organization

In 2002, we moved into the Garland District, where we became a beloved home for performers and audiences alike. From the very beginning we were successful due to the commitment of volunteer performers, box office staff, board members, and countless supporters who have donated their time, talent, and funds to make the theatre thrive.

These early years were formative with weekly shows and a deepening connection with Spokane’s arts community. What began as a small troupe with big ideas and unknown future gradually became the home for improvised theatre in the region.

Expanding the Mission

As the years passed, we produced shows and grew our footprint as a place of learning and creative exploration. Classes, workshops, youth programs, and special performances all became part of what we offer.

In January 2023, we expanded our educational offerings by opening the Spokane School of Improv, a dedicated space for students of all ages to learn and grow their improv skills. This effort includes Improv League, which is our program where we send improv faculty into the high schools to teach improv. Along with improv, our students develop confidence and learn about communication, leadership, and how to express their creative voice. In addition, we have brought our courses to Airway Heights Correctional Center to teach incarcerated individuals improv and provide them with a unique experience. In 2025, these students held their first show which was an enormous success.

In January 2024, another milestone was reached when we moved from our long-time home on Garland to a new downtown location at 319 S. Cedar St., in the Milk Bottle building. Our new home is becoming a vibrant space that has opened us up to more community connections, increased courses, and additional opportunities for community engagement and creativity.

What Makes the Blue Door Special

Over three decades, we have never just been about the shows (though those are unforgettable). We are also about:

• Community: a volunteer-hearted organization where people grow together

• Play: improv that encourages listening, curiosity, and joy

• Learning and creativity: classes, workshops, and the School of Improv give tools for both stage and life skills

Over the years, you may have seen:

• Short-form improv shows with a fast-paced energy

• Genre-blending long-form performances

• Youth and adult workshops and educational programs

• Partnerships with community organizations

  
  

Looking to the Future

As we celebrate 30 years, we honor the past and embrace what is next. This anniversary year brings exciting events, collaborations, and expansions:

• The Northwest Improv Fest welcoming talent from across the region

• Stand Up Spokane comedy celebration 

• The Improvathon & Community Block Party

• New shows and educational initiatives

  
  

As always, our work remains the same to create space for courage, connection, laughter, and play. Though improv is created on the spot, its impact lasts a lifetime. 

Thank You

To every volunteer, instructor, performer, front staff, student, board leader, donor, and audience member who has stepped behind the blue door, we thank you. You are the heart of the organization. What started as a weekly show has grown into a vibrant cultural home where creativity thrives and community reigns.

Here’s to 30 years and many more to come.