This time of year gets pretty stressful for all students. Midterms are coming up, research papers are due, and everyone is generally just trying to get done what needs to get done. Need a laugh break? Just check out some of Austin’s improv hot spots.

The New Movement TheaterWebsite: http://www.thenewmovementtheater.comShow prices: Free-$5 (dependent upon the show)The New Movement Theater is Austin’s only venue dedicated to all comedy, all the time. Started by Chris Trew and Tami Nelson in 2009, The New Movement’s popularity has been steadily growing. Trew and Nelson, the main instructors, have won every improv award in Austin and have gone far and wide to perform at different comedy festivals. They have a show coming out Halloween week entitled “The Bat” which promises to be a total blast. Trew and Nelson teach a wide variety of improv, standup and sketch comedy classes and let anyone watch for free every Wednesday at 7 p.m. The New Movement also hosts shows in its own theater. The teaching and improv style is fresh, funny and inventive, and the black box theater/home is inviting. It also doesn’t hurt that the theater is right next to Nubian Queen Lola’s and Austin’s Pizza if you get hungry in between shows.

The Hideout TheatreShow Prices: Free-$10 (Student Price $7)Website: http://www.hideouttheatre.comThe Hideout Theatre is the oldest improv theater in Austin and the owners’ goals are to teach and present theatrical improvisation to all who wish to learn. Opened in 1999, The Hideout Theatre has proclaimed itself one of the only downtown entertainment options that doesn’t involve passing out. The Hideout hosts a variety of jam sessions and shows on Tuesday, and Thursday-Sunday. They offer a unique style and many different shows — one of which is “Ka-Baam,” a super-hero themed show. The show included a great deal of Devo and “Whip It” jokes, and the villain was a disenchanted writer. The Hideout also hosts improv classes and has a black box theatre, which is situated upstairs over a lovely café. “You don’t need theater or comedy background (or aspirations, really) to get a lot out of the classes,” owner Kareem Badr said.

Café Caffeine/Comedy SportzShow Prices: $5Website: http://www.cafe-caffeine.comCafe Caffeine was purchased in January 2009 and is full of local organic foods, which are yummy and delicious. ComedySportz was founded in Milwaukee in 1984 and then in Austin in 1986.  Co-owner Les McGeehee has ran and performed the show since its inception. It features competitive improv, in which a red and blue team play games for points. The referee in control of the game calls fouls as they are needed. In 2000, Austin won the National ComedySportz Championship—a testament to their comedic prowess. Co-owner Christina McGeehee books community, literary and music events to perform at the café. The Mcgeehees incubate shows for Austin’s incredible professional comedy performers such as Mary Jo Pehl, Dan French, and St. Edward’s University’s very own Owen Egerton, who is a ComedySportz alumnus.