HISTORY

Venue History

Just The Funny, Miami's Home for Improv and Sketch Comedy, was founded in January 1999 by nine veteran improv actors who wanted create the funniest interactive comedy theater company in South Florida.  Just The Funny performed it's first show on March 5, 1999 at the Absinthe House Cinematheque, an eclectic arthouse movie theater in downtown Coral Gables, Florida.

After a successful four month run at the Absinthe House, Just The Funny spent a month performing at Florida International University in August of 1999, in exchange for a series of improv workshops for FIU's theater department.

Following the run at FIU, Just The Funny spent four months looking for a new venue to call home.  In January of 2000, Just The Funny began performing at the Holiday Inn across from the University of Miami in Coral Gables.

Just The Funny performed at the Holiday Inn for two successful years.  In December 2001, Just The Funny ended it's run at the Holiday Inn for a new venue.

Just The Funny then went on to perform from November 2001 to May 2003 at the beautiful and intimate Dreamers Theatre in Coral Gables.  During its run at the dreamers theatre, Just The Funny created The South Florida Improv Jam, which brought the 5 top improv groups from South Florida together to raise money for the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation.

In May of 2003, Just The Funny moved to the Miami Science Museum, where they performed for 4 years, until December of 2007.  During the run they created new shows and improv formats, and hosted four editions of the Miami Improv Festival, and The 5th Annual South Florida Improv Jam benefiting Children's Home Society of Florida, at which they sold out the 245 seat theater!

CURRENT Venue

Just The Funny now performs at the luxurious and spacious, yet intimate, Just The Funny Theater at 3119 Coral Way in Miami, 6 blocks East of Miracle Mile.  Be sure to catch them Fridays and Saturdays at their family-friendly show time of 9:00 p.m. and late-night show time of 11:00 p.m., with their new long-form shows, and their popular short-form show which will include more music and video!

miami improv festival

For one week in late-January early-February of 2003, Just The Funny hosted The 2003 Miami Improv Festival, a 6-day festival celebrating the best in improv and sketch comedy from across the United States to rave reviews.  MIF 2003 featured incredible performances from long-form, short-form, sketch, and musical groups, along with workshops and business seminars lead by the best facilitators in the improv industry.  At the festival JTF was highlighted and favorably reviewed by The Miami Herald, a major accomplishment for local improvisation.  JTF now hosts The Miami Improv Festival annually, with some of the best improv and sketch comedy groups from around the globe, making MIF one of the top improv festivals in the world!In 2005, the Miami Improv Festival was awarded Best of Miami by the New Times for "Best Festival."

LONGFORM IMPROV

On Valentines Day weekend 2003, Just The Funny became the first improv company in South Florida to perform long-form improvisation with its staging of the national long-form, couple-based improv format How We First Met to packed houses.  JTF then followed up with its Long-form Improv Jam after every one of its Saturday shows for the next 3 months, ushering in longform improv in South Florida.  JTF has brought back How We First Met in 2004 and 2005 to rave reviews and packed houses for 2005.  JTF now performs several longform formats, in addition to its original formats, and regularly travels to festivals and cities with its longform shows and workshops.

jUST THE FUNNY CARES

On August 24, 2003, Just The Funny performed its' first benefit show for its' new outreach program JTF Cares.  The first JTF Cares Show benefited Miami Children's Hospital Foundation and starred Just The Funny and NBC 6 weather-anchor Lonnie Quinn.  For more information on JTF Cares, go to our JTF Cares Page.

Since it's inception Just The Funny has thrived in South Florida, giving audiences the doses of laughter needed to escape the everyday stress of life, while giving back to the community.

sOUTH FLORIDA IMPROV JAM

Just The Funny is the creator and owner of The South Florida Improv Jam, which is an annual show comprising South Florida improv groups and raising thousands of dollars for several charities.  Although JTF hosted The First South Florida Improv Jam (2002) and will be hosting the 5th edition (2006), other local improv troupes have hosted the jam with the permission of Just The Funny.  Charities benefiting from the event have been: The Miami Children's Hospital Foundation (2002), Gilda's Club of South Florida (2003, 2005), The Chris Farley Foundation (2004), and Children's Home Society of South Florida (2006).

TOURING History

In 2005, Just The Funny began touring with its hit two-man longform show DUOCITY, as well as performing in other cities as guest performers.  Just The Funny has guest performed in Orlando with SAK Comedy Lab, in their Duel of Fools show, and in Charleston, South Carolina with The Have Nots.  DUOCITY performed at the Jacksonville Laugh Fest, and guest performed with Improv Jacksonville in their Gymprov show.  In November 2005 and October 2006, DUOCITY performed to a standing room only audience at The Gainesville Improv Festival.  In February 2006, DUOCITY performed at the Dirty South Improv Festival.

Just The Funny has also toured with its musically inspired longform ensemble show 4Track, and has performed it at the 2006 Gainesville Improv Festival.

IMPROV WORKSHOPS

Just The Funny has conducted improv workshops for: Coconut Grove Playhouse, Florida International University, Miami Dade College, North Miami Beach Senior High School, Barbara Goleman Senior High School, Coral Gables Senior High School and Miami-Palmetto Senior High School.  

Just The Funny has also taught longform improv workshops at: The 4th South Florida Improv Jam, The Jacksonville Laugh Fest, and The Gainesville Improv Festival.

PRIVATE SHOWS

Just The Funny's private shows have included, The Jackie Gleason Theater for the Performing Arts (Miami Beach), The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Hollywood), Improv Comedy Club (Miami), Ocean Reef Club (Key Largo),  PGA Golf Resort (Palm Beach Gardens), Temple Beth Am, Temple Judea, Books and Books (Coral Gables), Hillel (University of Miami), Florida International University, Belen Jesuit School, Miami-Coral Park Senior High, McArthur Senior High School, Victory For Youth, South Miami Middle School, and many shows at private homes and banquet halls.

AWARDS

Just The Funny has also been recognized for excellence in entertainment, and is the 4-time Best of Miami winner by the New Times for 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2006, and in 2004 won Street's Street Elite Award for "Elite Local Theater."

What's next for Just The Funny? Come to a show and find out!