More Fun than typical 

San Francisco Comedy Clubs

(Dan, Jon and Elgin from Liquid Mind- 2011)

At Pan we focus on improv theater. We perform both long form improv (dramatic improv) and comedy improv (short form improv).

We provide improvised comedy that is a fun all ages alternative to many San Francisco comedy clubs. Our work is typically G or PG so it is family fun.

Unlike a typical comedy club in San Francisco our performers are literally making it up on the spot. Pan performers take audience ideas and create scenes, characters and monologues on the spot.

A Pan performance includes a team that works together rather than a list of performers that may or may not have worked together before. Improv is a team art that involves not only the performers but also the audience.

While the topics of the scenes may not always be funny often the truthful responses of the actors to the events creates a comedy that you wouldn't see at one of the San Francisco Comedy clubs. The comedy comes from the audiences ability to identify with the character. Humor also comes from recall and recognition.

In improv, unlike standup at the comedy clubs, we're not trying to be funny. We allow funny to happen. When it does - WOW! The audience also enjoys the moments of emotion that often are part of the shows. 

The ahhs and ohs that the audience lets out in response to a scene show the connection between performers and audience.

The spontaneous clapping at the end of a set help frame it and let the performers know the scene has peaked.

Pan is only 13 minutes away from San Francisco BART. We're 30 seconds away from BART in Oakland’s Frank Ogawa Plaza. We are in close to both Oakland's Fox and Paramount Theaters. 

For someone looking for something to do when visiting San Francisco or Oakland - Pan provides an affordable and fun night of entertainment without the expensive price tag of a comedy club.

If you're considering checking out a show you can get our current show schedule here.

Better yet, you can try improv at our popular Intro to Improv class on Tuesdays. If watching a show is fun - actually doing it is double the fun.