In Chicago, improv comedy embraces every unexpected turn as a chance for creativity. Farrell Walsh, the artistic and managing director of CIC Theater, applies this principle both on stage and in managing the theater. He sees setbacks as opportunities to reassess and reimagine the theater’s path forward.
Since 2020, Walsh has been guiding CIC to find a new permanent location. The theater closed its doors at 1422 W. Irving Park Road in 2022. Walsh has been associated with CIC since the early 2000s, joining first as a performer before becoming the artistic director in 2005. Over the years, CIC moved from a space on Lincoln Avenue to Irving Park. During the pandemic, the theater managed to stay afloat when the landlord allowed partial rent payments.
However, in 2022, new landlords bought the building, disrupting attempts to create a new lease. The theater had to adapt and leave Irving Park, reverting to a mobile existence. By fall 2022, CIC arranged to perform at Finley Dunne’s Tavern on Lincoln Avenue, offering weekly shows on Wednesday and Thursday.
“I felt like that was the best use of the two nights,” Walsh said, “to kind of keep the fire burning.”
Despite the challenges, classes continued at a nearby rehearsal space, maintaining the sense of community essential to CIC. Though less known than iO or The Second City, CIC is celebrated for its unique approach. Featuring “vertical” play, each scene inspires the next, creating a seamless performance.
In late 2025, CIC once again started searching for a permanent space, evaluating over 100 locations. The challenge lay in finding affordable rent paired with a suitable facility. Eventually, Walsh and his partner, Kyle McCabe, found the right spot at 4301 N. Western Avenue, previously the Celtic Crown. This location offered a combination of bar and theater space.
Walsh explains the goal of supporting the community: I’m a big believer in trying to, you know, support the folks that have supported us.
A GoFundMe campaign surpassed its goal, showcasing strong community backing. Currently, CIC prepares for a grand reopening while classes and the new bar, The Western Bar & Kitchen, continue to draw patrons. While the full reopening awaits, Walsh and his team are confident about the theater’s future, backed by unwavering community support.
Ryan P.C. Trimble is a freelance writer.
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