photograph: 1 deep courtesy chicago improv festival
 

Chicago is arguably the improv capital of the world. And the Chicago Improv Festival, an annual weeklong celebration of modern improv, makes a strong case to prove it. This year’s fest (running through April 7) is stacked: 154 acts, 100 shows, 20 stages. The 765 performers hail from 9 countries, and their careers have already taken them to shows like 30 Rock and Community.

Here are a few can't-miss acts coming up in the festival's next three days:

Thursday: Mission IMPROVable and Sheldon (Jon Barinholtz & Rob Belushi)

The no. 1 touring improv comedy show, Mission IMPROVable, performs in a two-group event. The second is Barinholtz and Belushi, a Chicago pair who have headlined the festival three times already. 4/4 at 10; $15. The Comedy Bar, 157 W. Ontario. comedybarchicago.com
 

Friday: 1 Deep, Just Ben and Andy Eninger

Here are three performers each with a different style, two New Yorkers and one Chicagoan. 4/5 at 8:30; $17. Studio One, The Athaeneum Theatre, 2936 N Southport. athenaeumtheatre.org
 

Saturday: Geeking Out with Scott Adsit and John Lutz of NBC's 30 Rock

30 Rock’s Pete Hornberger and J.D. Lutz perform. Enough said. 4/6 at 5:30; $5. The Playground Theater, 3209 N Halsted. the-playground.com
 

Saturday: Chicago Improv League

This league pits four teams in competition for the next generation of improv. 4/7 at 8:30; $5. ComedySportz, 929 W Belmont. comedysportzchicago.com