Planet Ant Theatre

Planet Ant is a non-profit professional theater founded on the principle of artistic freedom and artistic experimentation, leading to the growth of community, artistic fulfillment and artistic success. We're home to Metro-Detroit's longest running improv comedy show as well as some of the area's best scripted productions. Check out our season schedule for all we have to offer in the coming months. In 1993, Planet Ant began its 20-year history as a coffee house featuring live music six nights a week. Jack White was often a part of, and even host of, the Thursday night open mic night. Shortly after its inaugural year, the small coffee house won three Metro Times "Best of" awards, including Best No Cover Entertainment, Best Art Openings and Best Poetry Readings. n the summer of 1996, Planet Ant was featured in the feature length film "Get The Hell Out of Hamtown" starring Keegan Michael Key ("Key & Peele") and Larry Joe Campbell ("According To Jim"). Shortly after filming, Planet Ant transitioned to a theater, with its first theatrical event "Praying Mantis" directed by Key. Planet Ant then created its first original work, "Garage: A Rock Saga," starring Park: A Rock Band which eventually became a feature film and helped to kick off Planet Ant Records managing Park, The Nineteen Point Five Collective and other local bands. Planet Ant's history as a cornerstone of Detroit's improv community began in 2000 with the opening of "Sardines." Directed by Joshua Funk, the show was the theater's first original comedy created through improvisation using what is now called "The Ant Process." That same year, Funk, Nancy Hayden and Margaret Edwartowski formed the Improv Colony, launching Detroit's longest-running improv show, "Improv Mondays." The 8 p.m. Monday performance has continued for more than 13 years. In the last decade Planet Ant installed its landmark marquee, lighting up Caniff with its current and upcoming shows. Most recently, the theater completed renovation of the building's top floors, providing additional classroom, writing, and greenroom space for local artists. Throughout its 20 years, Planet Ant has produced five film festivals, 12 improv festivals, hosted two Detroit BoxFests, and hosted events by The 313 and other renowned local and national artists. On its stage, the theater has produced more than 130 high-quality plays and musicals with nearly 100 of them original works or those written by local artists. Its commitment to providing the best in theatrical productions continues to earn critical acclaim and awards from across the region.