Improv & comedy / Hamtramck, MI
Planet Ant Theatre
A Hamtramck arts collective founded in 1993 that grew into a black-box comedy and improv theater, with comedian Keegan-Michael Key among its early builders.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
Planet Ant began in 1993 as an artists' collective on Caniff Avenue in Hamtramck, running out of a shared coffeehouse space. In 1996 its members, including a young Keegan-Michael Key, converted the coffeehouse into a black-box theater, giving Detroit-area improvisers and sketch performers a home stage of their own. Key, who would go on to Mad TV and the Comedy Central hit Key and Peele, was one of the group most closely associated with building Planet Ant into a working theater. Later members and students of its programs include comedians Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson, both of whom went on to national television careers. Planet Ant continues to operate today as a nonprofit theater staging comedy, improv and original plays.
- Founded as an artists' collective in 1993
- Converted into a black-box theater in 1996
- Keegan-Michael Key helped build the theater in its early years
- Later alumni include Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson
- Still an active theater in Hamtramck
Famous Detroiters
Famous people tied to this place 3
Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.
- Keegan-Michael Key born 1971 · actor, comedian, writer, producer
Founded
Arts collective founded in 1993; Key helped convert its coffeehouse into a black-box theater in 1996. Alumni include Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson.
- Sam Richardson born 1984 · actor, comedian, writer, producer
Performed here
Hamtramck black-box theater and improv school that lists Richardson among the actors who got their start there.
- Tim Robinson born 1981 · comedian, actor, writer
Performed here
Hamtramck black-box theater and improv school that counts Robinson among the actors who started there.
A closer look
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-25
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Nov 9, 2026, 7:30 PMMonday Night Improv: the legendary Planet Ant Home Team in Hamtramck
It's the longest-running improv show in Detroit. The legendary Planet Ant Home Team takes the Black Box stage at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with openers from the Planet Ant Farm Team and a featured guest troupe. Tickets are $10, and The Ant Jam follows right after.
Nov 12, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Thursday Show: weekly sketch and improv night with the Planet Ant Farm Team
Sketch, improv, character bits and guest performers, all in one night. The Thursday Show plays Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 8 p.m., built by Planet Ant's in-house Farm Teams. Every show is made fresh around a rotating monthly theme, so no two nights are the same.
Nov 13, 2026, 7:30 PMON HOLD: A One Human Show with Shelly Smith at Planet Ant in Hamtramck
Shelly Smith brings ON HOLD to the Planet Ant Black Box, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.. The hour-long roller coaster zips between standup, original songs, satire and sketch as Shelly tries to live her dang life and tell some jokes without technology getting in the way.
Nov 14, 2026, 7:30 PMON HOLD: A One Human Show with Shelly Smith at Planet Ant in Hamtramck
Shelly Smith brings ON HOLD to the Planet Ant Black Box, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.. The hour-long roller coaster zips between standup, original songs, satire and sketch as Shelly tries to live her dang life and tell some jokes without technology getting in the way.
Nov 15, 2026, 7:00 PMMetro Detroit Burlesque Academy Student Showcase (Fall 2026)
Metro Detroit Burlesque Academy's newest graduates debut their original acts on Sunday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. After eight weeks of work, they take the stage with their own routines. Tickets are available online.
Nov 16, 2026, 7:30 PMMonday Night Improv: the legendary Planet Ant Home Team in Hamtramck
It's the longest-running improv show in Detroit. The legendary Planet Ant Home Team takes the Black Box stage at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with openers from the Planet Ant Farm Team and a featured guest troupe. Tickets are $10, and The Ant Jam follows right after.
Nov 19, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Thursday Show: weekly sketch and improv night with the Planet Ant Farm Team
Sketch, improv, character bits and guest performers, all in one night. The Thursday Show plays Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 8 p.m., built by Planet Ant's in-house Farm Teams. Every show is made fresh around a rotating monthly theme, so no two nights are the same.
Nov 20, 2026, 8:00 PMAnt Hall Arm Brawl II Fundraiser
Planet Ant Theatre hosts the second Ant Hall Arm Brawl on Friday, November 20, at 8 p.m. in Hamtramck, with 16 of the city's most serious women arm wrestlers going head to head for the theatre. Tickets are available online.
Nov 23, 2026, 7:30 PMMonday Night Improv: the legendary Planet Ant Home Team in Hamtramck
It's the longest-running improv show in Detroit. The legendary Planet Ant Home Team takes the Black Box stage at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Monday, November 23, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with openers from the Planet Ant Farm Team and a featured guest troupe. Tickets are $10, and The Ant Jam follows right after.
Nov 26, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Thursday Show: weekly sketch and improv night with the Planet Ant Farm Team
Sketch, improv, character bits and guest performers, all in one night. The Thursday Show plays Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 8 p.m., built by Planet Ant's in-house Farm Teams. Every show is made fresh around a rotating monthly theme, so no two nights are the same.
Nov 28, 2026, 8:00 PMStand-up comedy: Nate Varrone at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck
Second City Mainstage alum Nate Varrone brings stand-up to Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 8 p.m., on the Midwest leg of his Interesting Perspectives Tour. He's written for the Emmy-nominated Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out The News and turned up in The Bear.
Nov 30, 2026, 7:30 PMMonday Night Improv: the legendary Planet Ant Home Team in Hamtramck
It's the longest-running improv show in Detroit. The legendary Planet Ant Home Team takes the Black Box stage at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Monday, November 30, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with openers from the Planet Ant Farm Team and a featured guest troupe. Tickets are $10, and The Ant Jam follows right after.
Dec 3, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Thursday Show: weekly sketch and improv night with the Planet Ant Farm Team
Sketch, improv, character bits and guest performers, all in one night. The Thursday Show plays Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 8 p.m., built by Planet Ant's in-house Farm Teams. Every show is made fresh around a rotating monthly theme, so no two nights are the same.
Dec 4, 2026, 8:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters starting Friday, December 4, at 8 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. It's part comedy, part heartfelt drama and part fantasy adventure, packed with Dungeons & Dragons and 90s pop culture. Tickets are available online.
Dec 5, 2026, 8:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters on Saturday, December 5, at 8 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. Agnes follows her late sister's Dungeons & Dragons notebook into an epic adventure. Tickets are available online.
Dec 5, 2026, 10:30 PMMixtape Friendship 5000: your songs become the improv show at Planet Ant
Your songs become the show. Mixtape Friendship 5000 kicks off with a friendly music chat at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
Dec 6, 2026, 3:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters on Sunday, December 6, at 3 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. It's part comedy, part heartfelt drama, part adventure, with Dungeons & Dragons quests and 90s pop culture. Tickets are available online.
Dec 6, 2026, 7:00 PMStand Up Student Showcase | End of Year 2026
Planet Ant's stand-up students take the stage on Sunday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck, with fresh material and maybe a few seasoned comics too. Tickets are $8.
Dec 7, 2026, 7:30 PMMonday Night Improv: the legendary Planet Ant Home Team in Hamtramck
It's the longest-running improv show in Detroit. The legendary Planet Ant Home Team takes the Black Box stage at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Monday, December 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with openers from the Planet Ant Farm Team and a featured guest troupe. Tickets are $10, and The Ant Jam follows right after.
Dec 10, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Thursday Show: weekly sketch and improv night with the Planet Ant Farm Team
Sketch, improv, character bits and guest performers, all in one night. The Thursday Show plays Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 8 p.m., built by Planet Ant's in-house Farm Teams. Every show is made fresh around a rotating monthly theme, so no two nights are the same.
Dec 11, 2026, 8:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's comedy-drama She Kills Monsters on Friday, December 11, at 8 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. If you love Dungeons & Dragons and 90s nostalgia, this one's packed with both. Tickets are available online.
Dec 12, 2026, 8:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. It's part comedy, part heartfelt drama, part Dungeons & Dragons adventure.
Dec 13, 2026, 3:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters on Sunday, December 13, at 3 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. A grieving sister follows her late sibling's Dungeons & Dragons notebook into an epic fantasy quest. Tickets are available online.
Dec 16, 2026, 7:00 PMImprov Student Showcase | End of Year 2026
Planet Ant's Training Center improv students take the stage on Wednesday, December 16, at 7 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck, closing out the class term with short form and long form comedy. Tickets are $8.
Dec 17, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Thursday Show: weekly sketch and improv night with the Planet Ant Farm Team
Sketch, improv, character bits and guest performers, all in one night. The Thursday Show plays Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at 8 p.m., built by Planet Ant's in-house Farm Teams. Every show is made fresh around a rotating monthly theme, so no two nights are the same.
Dec 18, 2026, 8:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters on Friday, December 18, at 8 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. It's part comedy, part heartfelt drama, part Dungeons & Dragons adventure. Tickets are available online.
Dec 19, 2026, 8:00 PMShe Kills Monsters
Planet Ant Theatre stages Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters on Saturday, December 19, at 8 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. A grieving sister uses her late sibling's Dungeons & Dragons notebook to get to know her at last. Tickets are available online.
Jan 2, 2027, 10:30 PMMixtape Friendship 5000: your songs become the improv show at Planet Ant
Your songs become the show. Mixtape Friendship 5000 kicks off with a friendly music chat at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, January 2, 2027, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
Jan 22, 2027, 8:00 PMPOTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Selina Fillinger's farce POTUS opens Friday, January 22, at 8 p.m. in Ant Hall at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Seven women try to save the President from his own blunder, directed by iyla a. stebbins. Tickets are available online.
Jan 23, 2027, 8:00 PMPOTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Planet Ant Theatre stages the farce POTUS on Saturday, January 23, at 8 p.m. in Ant Hall in Hamtramck. Seven overworked women try to keep a blundering president out of a global mess. Tickets are available through the theater.
Jan 24, 2027, 3:00 PMPOTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Planet Ant Theatre stages the farce POTUS on Sunday, January 24, at 3 p.m. in the Ant Hall in Hamtramck. Seven women try to keep a blundering president out of trouble in Selina Fillinger's comedy, directed by iyla a. stebbins. Tickets are sold online.
Jan 29, 2027, 8:00 PMPOTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Selina Fillinger's farce POTUS plays Friday, January 29, at 8 p.m. in Ant Hall at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Seven women try to save the President from himself in a production directed by iyla a. stebbins. Tickets are available online.
Jan 30, 2027, 8:00 PMPOTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Planet Ant Theatre stages Selina Fillinger's farce POTUS on Saturday, January 30, at 8 p.m. in Ant Hall in Hamtramck. Seven overworked women try to keep a blundering president out of trouble after a PR mess turns into a global crisis. Tickets are available online.
Feb 6, 2027, 10:30 PMMixtape Friendship 5000: your songs become the improv show at Planet Ant
Your songs become the show. Mixtape Friendship 5000 kicks off with a friendly music chat at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, February 6, 2027, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
Mar 6, 2027, 10:30 PMMixtape Friendship 5000: your songs become the improv show at Planet Ant
Your songs become the show. Mixtape Friendship 5000 kicks off with a friendly music chat at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, March 6, 2027, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
Apr 3, 2027, 10:30 PMMixtape Friendship 5000: your songs become the improv show at Planet Ant
Your songs become the show. Mixtape Friendship 5000 kicks off with a friendly music chat at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, April 3, 2027, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
May 1, 2027, 10:30 PMMixtape Friendship 5000: your songs become the improv show at Planet Ant
Your songs become the show. Mixtape Friendship 5000 kicks off with a friendly music chat at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Saturday, May 1, 2027, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
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