Produced by Sam Dee, the founder of Mass Hysteria, Cleveland’s “female-focused” comedy festival, Improv Death Match celebrates its one-year anniversary with a special show that takes place at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.

In the competition, each troupe performs a 20-minute set based on an audience suggestion. One prevails as the evening’s winner. Each round is presented under the “watchful” eye of the “sword-wielding executioner” and the audience while performers give what might be their last unscripted performance. Each show kicks off with an “open jam” featuring audience members performing short-form improv games on stage.

Thursday’s show will feature This Improvised Life, a local improv/storytelling group, Funemployed, a long-form group from Lakewood created from Michael Busch classes, and the Houde Rats, short-form troupe from the Houde School of Acting.

Admission is $5.

Sign up for Scene’s weekly newsletters to get the latest on Cleveland news, things to do and places to eat delivered right to your inbox.

This article appears in Jun 12-18, 2019.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.