In July 2016, the Pack Theater opened on Santa Monica Boulevard with a seven-hour improv comedy marathon called Pack Con. It was the comedy school-slash-theater's big debut and it certainly was big, featuring legends like Bob Odenkirk and Adam McKay. Founder Miles Stroth, who studied under improv king Del Close, set out to open a theater that's set apart from iO, Second City and UCB by the specific lessons taught to students. Last year he said, “The [Pack's] underlying philosophy is that comedy should be constantly evolving. … Take risks, be bold, be weird, be you and, whatever you do, don't be boring.” From a patron's perspective, the theater has succeeded, with its schedule jam-packed with weekly improv showdowns and quirky monthly fare like Bill & Ted's Excellent History Report. The pay-what-you-can price structure is pretty bitchin', too.

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