Excused Absence is Austin’s go-to youth program for improv, comedy training, all ages shows and performance opportunities.

Classes, camps, shows and abundant performance opportunities are available year round through ColdTowne Theater’s youth program, Excused Absence Comedy. With a faculty that includes some of Austin’s most beloved improvisers and Teaching Artists, ExAb provides an advanced level of training and abundant opportunities to perform and attend live comedy.

Camps: Summer & School Breaks

Fast, fun and frequently hilarious, our school break camps are an opportunity to jump into a comedy experience with peers that will leave you with more inside jokes than you can shake a stick at. Learn more here. 

Classes: Outside, Onsite or Online

There’s never been a more important time to safely connect, collaborate and create. With that in mind, we have transitioned to online, outdoor and onsite options. The results have been far better than we dared to imagine. Learn more here. 

ExAb Fest ’22 was FANTASTIC!

The best Youth Comedy Festival in the Universe is back! That’s right, on April 3rd, we a returned with a scaled down version of the festival that featured tons of local and visiting acts, including youth and adult performers. This public festival was an amazing opportunity for comedy fans of all ages to catch some incredible talent. Learn more here.