Though many comedy clubs across the country have resumed live stand-up with social distancing restrictions in place, the Improv comedy clubs in Southern California have remained closed due to the coronavirus pandemic since mid-March.

“Comedy without a crowd is very, very sad and the comedians need that audience because they feed off of their energy, so streaming wasn’t really a solution for us,” Erin von Schonfeldt, executive vice president of talent booking and programming at Levity Live, owner of the Improv clubs, said during a recent phone chat.