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402-720-7670

The Backline

1618 Harney St.

Omaha NE 68102


All Shows 18+

(Unless otherwise specified, or with Parent/Guardian)

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  • SHOWS
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Upcoming Events

June 28 - July 26

House Improv Teams

These are official Backline House Teams bringing you three different improv teams and shows, with new teams every six months! Check out veteran improvisers alongside the best up-and-coming talent coached by Will Meinen, Chris Bottom, and Rachel Ware.

Catch these teams twice a month on Tuesdays at The Backline and stick around afterward for an open stage!

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Tue, Jun 28, 2022
7:00 PM
Tue, Jul 12, 2022
7:00 PM
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
7:00 PM
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June 28 - August 30

Open Stage

Like an Open Mic for improv & sketch, the Open Stage will offer 4 minutes of stage time for each performer. This can mean that a team of 5 can do a 20 minute set, or maybe the 5 people only need 10 minutes and they each use their remaining 2 minutes with other teams or ideas. Hosted by Todd Dylan and Dylan Rohde every Tuesday at 8:15pm. (Signup in advance in the Omaha Improv page on Facebook)

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Tue, Jun 28, 2022
8:15 PM
Tue, Jul 5, 2022
8:15 PM
Tue, Jul 12, 2022
8:15 PM
Tue, Jul 19, 2022
8:15 PM
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
8:15 PM
Tue, Aug 2, 2022
8:15 PM
More Dates Available
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June 29 - August 31

Standup Showcase

The Backline will be showcasing both veteran and up-and-coming comedians every Wednesday at 7pm. Delivering a funny and diverse cast so anyone in our audience can find their new favorite local comedians! (Sometimes we'll have guests from other cities!)

Also, stick around after this show for our Open Mic at 8pm where anyone can get up on stage!

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Wed, Jun 29, 2022
7:00 PM
Wed, Jul 6, 2022
7:00 PM
Wed, Jul 13, 2022
7:00 PM
Wed, Jul 20, 2022
7:00 PM
Wed, Jul 27, 2022
7:00 PM
Wed, Aug 3, 2022
7:00 PM
More Dates Available
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June 29 - August 31

Open Mic

Brooke Barsell & Todd Dylan host The Backline Open Mic (standup) every Wednesday at 8pm. Each comedian will be allowed 4 minutes, and names will be drawn from a hat for those who show up before 8pm, people who show up afterward will be added to a 2nd list. Whether it's your first time or you perform weekly, why not try out your material in front of a great crowd at one of the best standup venues in town?

Since names are pulled at random, comics are encouraged to sit and watch everyone else, creating a fun and encouraging audience. 5 seconds of grace period before music plays you off. Prepare accordingly.

This show is FREE for everyone!

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Wed, Jun 29, 2022
8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 6, 2022
8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 13, 2022
8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 20, 2022
8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 27, 2022
8:00 PM
Wed, Aug 3, 2022
8:00 PM
More Dates Available
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July 01 - August 26

The ARENA

The ARENA is Omaha's #1 Improv Competition pitting together 2 improv teams to find out which Omaha team is the best. Each competition is followed by previous Champions that get their own weekly slot until someone beats their record! As an added bonus, the show will start off with a set from previous Champions!

Whichever team wins the votes of the audience comes back the next week to face a new Challenging team, each getting 20 minutes to win over your votes. The #1 team "4 Average People" has won 16 weeks in a row! Will a team ever beat that record? You decide!

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Fri, Jul 1, 2022
7:00 PM
Fri, Jul 8, 2022
7:00 PM
Fri, Jul 15, 2022
7:00 PM
Fri, Jul 22, 2022
7:00 PM
Fri, Jul 29, 2022
7:00 PM
Fri, Aug 5, 2022
7:00 PM
More Dates Available
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July 01 - August 05

Pandemic! @ The Disco

Pandemic! @ the Disco! (aka the artists formerly known as PanNick! @ the Disco aka the artists formerly known as PanNick) are Omaha’s premiere (and only!) two person musical improv team. This duo performs the hero's journey, taking suggestions from the audience to define the hero, portrayed by Matt Johnson. We then watch as that hero goes on a journey meeting less-than-helpful supporters, silly antagonists, and bewildered bystanders- all portrayed by Musical Director and accompanist Robyn Helwig.

Pandemic! @ the Disco is a top performer on the Backline’s arena board, having won a streak of 14 weeks, and is also the only team to have made it on the board twice (having won 8 consecutive weeks in 2019 as PanNick! @ the Disco).

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Fri, Jul 1, 2022
8:30 PM
Fri, Aug 5, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 01 - August 05

Comedy Wars

William Allen Watts II Presents: Comedy Wars

Can I get a little energy in this show???

William Allen Watts II brings a great lineup of local comics to compete for your adoration and affection. The winner of this SHOW will advance to face the winner of the next edition's line-up of Comedy Wars.

I said, can I get a little energy in this show????

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Fri, Jul 1, 2022
10:00 PM
Fri, Aug 5, 2022
10:00 PM
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July 02

Nick Allen Empties the Notebook

Nick Allen ditched his job last summer and his old jokes in May. Join him as he empties his notebooks and see how an act is built from the ground floor. Nick has been seen on Last Comic Standing and can be heard daily on the Todd and Tyler Radio Empire. You can run into him every weekend pulling his Ford Focus up to bars and venues of varying degrees of classiness. Norm Macdonald once told him he loved him on national television.

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat Jul 2 2022, 7:00 PM
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July 02 - August 06

The Broken Magic Comedy Hour

The Broken Magic Comedy Hour is a standup comedy series brought to you by founding OK Party Member and national touring stand up comic Zach Peterson. Featuring some of the best stand up comics in the midwest and beyond, The BMCH is a professionally run stand up show that will have you coming back for more month after month.


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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat, Jul 2, 2022
8:30 PM
Sat, Aug 6, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 02 - August 06

Comedy After Dark

This show is Rated R for graphic language of adult situations.

A fearless standup show at Backline, but also one to avoid if you easily get rubbed the wrong way. We line up Omaha's top local comedians and give them a chance to perform some stuff they can't do at most shows. If this sounds like you something you would like, then you definitely will. If this sounds disgusting to you, we have other shows you should check out.


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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat, Jul 2, 2022
10:00 PM
Sat, Aug 6, 2022
10:00 PM
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July 05 - July 19

Double Feature

Genre-based improv comedy with new genres selected for each show. Maybe the groups will be improvising an action movie, slasher flick, or maybe something like a Disney Channel Original Movie. This show is free as are all our Tuesday night improv shows! A great option for a date, with some friends, or even just by yourself!

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Tue, Jul 5, 2022
7:00 PM
Tue, Jul 19, 2022
7:00 PM
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July 08 - August 12

Dad Jokes

Dad Jokes (featuring Michael Johnson, Michael Smith, Justin Edmonds, Taylor Grote, and Rachel Ware) has been voted as one of the best improv shows at The Backline. They don't tell 'jokes' and they aren't your dad, but you'll love them just the same. Their show is some of the best longform improv comedy you can find in Omaha!

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Fri, Jul 8, 2022
8:30 PM
Fri, Aug 12, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 09 - August 13

Date Night

Date Night is here!

Gather up your special someone (or any someone) and come see great two-person teams improvising their little hearts out. Whether you actually bring a date, this show will be just as fun to watch alone or with a group of friends. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a future date here.

Hosted by Justin Edmonds

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat, Jul 9, 2022
7:00 PM
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
7:00 PM
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July 09 - August 13

The Strangers

"The Strangers" is a 2-person improv show featuring Timmy Tamisiea and Will Meinen; two people who at one time didn't know each other and now they do!

Timmy trained and taught in Chicago and LA and continues to perform around the country with the Westside Comedy theater. Will got his start at The Backline, and trained/performed in Chicago at the iO and Second City theaters.

Both Timmy and Will moved back home to Omaha during the pandemic and decided to start performing together, initially as strangers and now as friends.

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat, Jul 9, 2022
8:30 PM
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 14

(Your Group)'s Improv Workshop

Do you have a group of friends you'd love to get together and do an improv workshop with? Well, this is your chance?

Whether a group of friends, employees, or maybe even family, this workshop is just you all and the coach leading it. No outside strangers. A 75-minute workshop on a stage running through a series of warm-ups and exercises designed for first-timers looking for a fun night. This is great team-building function at a low overall rate, led by one of the top improv coaches in the city. There's also a lobby up front so you can have a drink or two before or after your workshop. 

We plan to charge $200 for these, but for our very first one we are doing half off! (So only $100!) If you have 10 people, that's just $10 each. 

Only 1 spot, so sign up soon!

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No Drink Minimum. Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to workshop. No refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Thu Jul 14 2022, 7:30 PM
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July 15 - August 19

INTERROGATED

with Dylan Oakes Rohde

INTERROGATED is easily one of the best improv shows in Omaha and features Backline's top improvisers (sometimes featuring special guests too!) This fast-paced and very much 'adult-friendly' improv where we'll ask you, the audience, to confess true stories from a time where you got away with something. Maybe you stole a brownie from a roommate, or spun cookies in a football field, either way we'll take them! Our performers will create scenes based off these stories in a structured 'game-based' style of improv you'll only see similar to in LA and NYC.

If you haven't been here and want a great introduction to what we do best, see this show!




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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Fri, Jul 15, 2022
8:30 PM
Fri, Aug 19, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 16 - August 20

Yer Mom's Comedy Show

Yer Mom's Comedy Show presents standup comedians aimed at “Keeping parents sane one punch line at a time!” Join comic moms-Kendra Karbowski, Patty Fanciullo & Anneliese Wright, as they bring up some of the best talent the Midwest has to offer. Special guest comedians will keep the entertainment going and we’ll end the evening with our “MomTime” Comedy chat😆

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat, Jul 16, 2022
7:00 PM
Sat, Aug 20, 2022
7:00 PM
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July 16 - August 20

Babes In JOYland

Babes in JOYLAND is Brooke Barsell’s monthly show featuring new up and coming comedians along with a hot fresh headliner. This is often a sold out show, so make sure to get your tickets in advance!

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Sat, Jul 16, 2022
8:30 PM
Sat, Aug 20, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 22 - August 26

Biscuits

Biscuits is layered with many of Omaha's funniest improvisers and ready to butter you up for a hot show. Often fast-paced and never flaky, Biscuits will always rise to the occasion! Improv like your grandma definitely didn't used to make. (Each show also features a guest team opening for them!)

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Fri, Jul 22, 2022
8:30 PM
Fri, Aug 26, 2022
8:30 PM
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July 23

Cards of Destiny

Sat Jul 23 2022, 7:00 PM
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July 29

The wUw Show Experience

The "What U Want" Show gives every audience whatever they want the show to be! This one-of-a-kind experience is for folks looking to have a fun and wild night as we play drinking games with the audience, they give us challenges to complete, and we all learn a little something about the world and ourselves. Hosted by Dr. Oakes and Ol' Toddilocks with improvised music by Robyn Helwig. This show was created during lockdown during the pandemic and has already been nominated for Best Comedy Ensemble in the OEAAwards and has performed in the Countdown Fest in Tampa Bay, FL.

Check out our videos on Youtube and TikTok by searching #wUwShow
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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Fri Jul 29 2022, 8:30 PM
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August 19

Power Hour

This show is packed with Nebraska’s greatest comedians doing their BEST material. Each comedian only has three minutes to impress the crowd, and land the chance to come back and close out the show. If you’re looking for an hour of fast paced high energy comedy, Power Hour is the show for you! Rachel Ware hosts this notoriously sold out show every third Friday of the month at 10pm.

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No Drink Minimum. 18+ (or under with parent or guardian.)

Please arrive no later than 5 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets may be released for resale at that time, no refunds will be given. Parking available on the street (metered until 9pm).

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Fri Aug 19 2022, 10:00 PM
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402-720-7670

The Backline

1618 Harney St.

Omaha NE 68102

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