New Local Improv Game Show Debuts in Portland
The show, filmed at Desert Island Studios, features three local improvisers competing in a series of comedic challenges.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Comedy
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Local comedian Kyle Stebbins is bringing the Portland improv scene to screens with the launch of his new game show, That Got Weird. Filmed at Desert Island Studios, the multicamera program features three local improvisers competing through increasingly strange comedic prompts.
Why it matters
The project serves as a creative effort to provide exposure for the local improv community in the years following the closure of the city's long-standing Brody Theater. Stebbins personally funded the production by repurposing savings originally set aside for a home down payment.
The show highlights three local improvisers in each episode, marking a new chapter for a performer who began his career in the city in 2015. While the show is funded by personal savings and a grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council, plans for a second season remain pending.
The players
Kyle Stebbins
A Portland-based comedian and performer who created the improv game show That Got Weird.
Regional Arts & Culture Council
A regional nonprofit organization that provides grants to support arts and culture projects.
Desert Island Studios
A creative production space in Portland where the show was filmed.
The details
Produced at Desert Island Studios, the show forces participants to react to escalating comedic scenarios. The project aims to bolster visibility for Portland talent. Stebbins, who has been in Portland for 14 years, secured support from the Regional Arts & Culture Council to supplement his personal investment in the first season.
Timeline
2015: Kyle Stebbins began performing improv.
2018: The Brody Theater closed.
October 27, 2026: The official show trailer was released.
Fall 2026: Show episodes are expected to debut.
Beyond the Bridges
The project serves as a creative response to the 2018 closure of the Brody Theater, which was a central hub for the local improv scene. This show attempts to bridge the gap in opportunities for performers that followed that institutional loss.
Fans of local improv can watch for the show's upcoming debut this fall. Following the initial release, viewers can keep an eye on social media channels for additional clips and updates regarding future seasons.
The takeaway
This show represents a significant personal investment by a local artist to keep the city's comedy scene vibrant. Residents interested in the local arts should watch for the full episode release later this fall.
Further reading
For more on the local comedy scene, see our coverage of Portland Comedy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Portland Tribune.
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