Hideout Forever! Help Build Our Next Home. by The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House

Hideout Forever! Help Build Our Next Home.

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$21,601 raised

86% of $25k goal

216 contributions

10 Days running

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By The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House

Verified organization Keep it all Austin, US Report

The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House needs a new home. We have provided downtown Austin with improvised theatre, training, kids classes, coffee, and community for over 25 years.

Now it's time to help us build the next Hideout.

(For larger, tax-deductible donations, visit our sister campaign hosted by the Austin Creative Alliance here.)

What we do.

Since 1999, The Hideout Theatre has been Austin’s home for improvisational theater—a place where creativity, spontaneity, and community come together on stage and in the classroom.

Here’s what we bring to life every week:

Unscripted Theater, Nightly Laughs (Thursday–Sunday)
Improv Classes for Grown-Ups
Confidence for Kids & Teens
Yes, And... at Work - Corporate Workshops
Caffeine Meets Community - Cozy Coffee Shop Vibes to the Max!

What we've done.

Over the past 25 years, The Hideout has grown into one of the most beloved and enduring cultural spaces in Austin. Here's a glimpse of what your support has already made possible:

Hosted thousands of shows and welcomed tens of thousands of audience members to experience the magic of unscripted theatre.
Trained over 10,000 students through our adult and youth programs—empowering people of all ages to take creative risks, connect with others, and find their voice.
Launched groundbreaking programs like Building Connections, which uses improv to support kids and adults on the autism spectrum.
Created a downtown anchor for artistic expression and community connection in a rapidly changing city landscape.
Cultivated a global presence through festivals, international collaborations, and streaming content during the pandemic era.
Provided tens of thousands of dollars in tuition through our diversity scholarship program
Championed theatrical, narrative improv and in so doing pushed on the boundaries of what the art of improv is capable of.

Now, as we prepare to leave our longtime home, we're building on this legacy - and asking our community to help write the next chapter.

How funds will be used.

Your generosity helps ensure that The Hideout Theatre doesn't just survive--but thrives in its next chapter. Here's how your support will directly power our move and mission:

Securing a New Home

First and foremost, funds will help us renovate and outfit a new venue in Austin—one that can house our shows, classrooms, and community for years to come.

Building the Stage

We'll invest in performance infrastructure: lighting, sound, risers, seating, and accessibility features that bring every show to life.

Keeping Improv Education Accessible

Your donations will help us continue offering scholarships, free classes, and innovative programs for adults, youth, and neurodiverse students.

Supporting Our Staff and Instructors

Retaining our amazing teachers, performers, and operations team is essential—your gift helps cover salaries and stipends during the transition.

Reviving the Cafe & Gathering Space

We want to keep the Hideout’s cozy coffee shop alive in the new space—a welcoming hub for students, artists, and fans to connect.

Ensuring a Smooth Move

From moving costs to permits to signage, your support makes this complex transition possible.

Our Call to Action

Austin's oldest improv theater and coffee shop is being forced to relocate - but the story's not over. If The Hideout has ever made you laugh until you cried (or vice versa), helped you find your voice, or given you a place to belong -

Now's the time to give back.

Donate today to help us secure a new home for improv in Austin

FAQ or Contact

Q: Why is The Hideout moving?
A: Like many beloved spaces in downtown Austin, we’re being priced out of our current home on Congress Avenue. To keep improv alive in the heart of Austin, we need to build a new, sustainable Hideout—one that can serve our community for decades to come.

Q: What will the new Hideout include?
A: We’re envisioning a flexible, vibrant space for performances, classes, and community gatherings—complete with a café, classrooms, and rehearsal areas. We want to preserve everything you love about The Hideout, while making room for even more creativity and connection.

Q: Where will the new space be?
A: We’re currently exploring several options that align with our artistic and community needs. Your support helps make these possibilities real by funding the search, lease, buildout, and transition.

Q: Is The Hideout a nonprofit?
A: The Hideout itself is not a nonprofit organization. However, we operate under the Austin Creative Alliance (ACA), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which acts as our fiscal sponsor. This partnership allows donations made through ACA to be tax-deductible and supports our artistic mission.

Q: Are donations made through Fundrazr tax-deductible?
A: Donations made directly on the Fundrazr platform are not tax-deductible. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift, please click here to make a donation through our fiscal sponsor, the Austin Creative Alliance (ACA).

Q: How can I support beyond donating?
A: So many ways! Attend a show, share this campaign, become a peer-to-peer fundraiser, join us for a fundraising event, or volunteer your time or talents. Every action helps us get one step closer to our goal.

Q: Where does my money go?
A: See the "How Funds Will Be Used" section above. Your donation supports our relocation, build-out, community programming, and continuity of operations during the transition.

Event Date

June Kick-Off: 48-Hour Improv Marathon, June 6–8, 2025
Our annual marathon was the kick-off for our fundraising campaign, and it was our most successful one yet! We had over 1,100 audience members and raised over $20,000 for The Hideout Relocation Fund!

July: Launch of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Toolkit
We’ll invite our biggest fans (that’s you!) to help us spread the word and fundraise through personal pages and networks.

August: Founding Donor Wall Announced
Early donors at key levels will be recognized as “Founding Supporters” in our future home (digitally and/or physically). Give early to leave your mark!

Fall 2025: Lease Signing & Move Prep (TBD)
Once we've reached our goal and secured our new location, the real fun begins—design, build, and opening prep.

TBD: Grand Opening of The New Hideout
With your help, we’ll cut the ribbon on a new chapter for Austin improv!

The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House needs a new home. We have provided downtown Austin with improvised theatre, training, kids classes, coffee, and community for over 25 years.

Now it's time to help us build the next Hideout.

(For larger, tax-deductible donations, visit our sister campaign hosted by the Austin Creative Alliance here.)

What we do.

What we've done.