FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DIABLO IMPROV FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WALNUT CREEK FOR THREE DAYS OF LIVE COMEDY, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY

October 16–18, 2026 at the Lesher Center for the Arts

Media Contact:
Della Watson
dellakwatson@gmail.com
(510) 289-8744
Instagram: @diablo_improv_festival
Facebook: Diablo Improv Festival

Attachments: Full press release and promotional photo. For the photo: “San Francisco’s Secret Improv Society will perform at the Second Annual Diablo Improv Festival.”

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – The Diablo Improv Festival (DIF) returns to the Lesher Center for the Arts, October 16–18, 2026, for its second annual celebration of unscripted theater.

This year’s festival features four multi-troupe performance showcases, 11 workshops led by 12 instructors and two open improv jams, bringing together performers, teachers and audiences from across the Bay Area and beyond.

Whether attending a single performance, taking a workshop or making a weekend of it, DIF offers audiences and improvisers alike a chance to watch, learn and play.

Come for a show. Stay for the weekend.

A Major Comedy Attraction Joins the Weekend

During festival weekend, the Lesher Center’s 2026/27 Headliners Series presents The Best of The Second City on Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.

The legendary Chicago comedy institution brings its signature mix of sketch comedy and improvisation to Walnut Creek as part of the Lesher Center’s Headliners Series.

Festival Performances and Workshops

DIF performance showcases will feature:

Your Favorite Story • Rollin’ in Riches • Secret Improv Society • Wine and Weasels • Emotional Overtones • Spontaneous Mind Over Matter • All That Jazz • BATS • Emmy • Nibling Rivalry • Women in ___

The festival’s 11 workshops explore character, listening, relationships, game, spontaneity, comic structure and theatrical style, with instructors including Asa Erlendson, Shulie Cowen, Karen Twelves, Amber Dyson, Mark Duncanson, Navaris Darson, Randy Wight, Rebecca Castelli, Jennifer Simmons, Jaime Rich, Paul Hitlin and Regina Saisi.

Two Open Jams give improvisers an opportunity to step onstage and become part of the weekend themselves.

“Improvisation is more than an art form. It’s a community that brings people together,” said Kenn Adams, DIF Co-Producer and Artistic Director of Synergy Theater. “You end up making friends that last a lifetime.”

“Could we all use a good laugh and an excuse to play right about now?” asks Jaime Rich, DIF Co-Producer and Executive Director of Spontaneous Mind. “We are delighted to provide you with the space to do just this at the Diablo Improv Festival. We are never too old to have fun playing and being silly.

“Improv is all about saying ‘yes, and…,” says Della Watson, DIF Co-Producer and DKW Productions Founder. “It’s also a great philosophy for life. Come join us and say yes to new adventures, new friends, and new paths to joy.”

“If you’ve never taken an improv class, my advice is simple: get off the sidelines,” said Randy Wight, DIF Co-Producer and Spontaneous Mind Co-Founder. “The Diablo Improv Festival gives people the opportunity to learn from terrific instructors, see a remarkable range of performers and discover just how many different directions this art form can go.”

Event Information

Diablo Improv Festival
October 16–18, 2026
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Tickets, festival packages and the full schedule are available at lesherartscenter.org. Search “Diablo Improv Festival.”

Instagram: @diablo_improv_festival
Facebook: Diablo Improv Festival

#DiabloImprovFestival #DiabloImprovFest #DIF2026

About the Diablo Improv Festival

The Diablo Improv Festival is an annual celebration of unscripted theater featuring performances, workshops, jams and community at the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek.

The festival is produced in partnership by Spontaneous Mind, Synergy Theater, DKW Productions and the Lesher Center for the Arts.

Yours,

Kenn Adams, Della Watson, Jaime Rich, and Randy Wight
Producers, The Diablo Improv Festival