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.
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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.
Oct 10, 2026, 8:00 PMMy Daddy is Haunted! (Horror Comedy)
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Saturday, October 10, at 8 p.m. in the Ant Hall at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Think Hammer Horror meets National Lampoon's Vacation, with tickets online or at the door.
Oct 11, 2026, 3:00 PMMy Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Sunday, October 11, at 3 p.m. at the Ant Hall in Hamtramck. Think Hammer Horror meets National Lampoon's Vacation, with tickets available online.
Oct 12, 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, October 12, 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.
Oct 15, 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, October 15, 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.
Oct 16, 2026, 8:00 PMMy Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Friday, October 16, at 8 p.m. in the Ant Hall in Hamtramck. A family castle vacation turns terrifying, and you can buy tickets online.
Oct 16, 2026, 8:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
An ancient vampire and a vampire hunter sit down to dinner in Michele Harte's psychological thriller, playing Friday, October 16, at 8 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. It contains extreme violence and gore. Tickets are available online.
Oct 17, 2026, 8:00 PMMy Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Saturday, October 17, at 8 p.m. in the Ant Hall at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Think Hammer Horror meets National Lampoon's Vacation. Tickets are available online.
Oct 17, 2026, 8:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck stages the psychological thriller I'd Love to Have You for Dinner on Saturday, October 17, at 8 p.m. It's a dinner date where one person is a vampire and the other hunts them. Tickets are available online.
Oct 18, 2026, 3:00 PMMy Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Sunday, October 18, at 3 p.m. at Ant Hall in Hamtramck's Planet Ant Theatre. It's Hammer Horror meets National Lampoon's Vacation, with tickets available online.
Oct 18, 2026, 3:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Michele Harte's psychological thriller I'd Love to Have You for Dinner plays Sunday, October 18, at 3 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. An ancient vampire and a vampire hunter sit down to a home-cooked first-and-three-quarters date, and tickets are available online.
Oct 18, 2026, 7:00 PMStand Up Student Showcase | Fall 2026
Students from Planet Ant Theatre's stand-up classes take the stage with fresh material on Sunday, October 18, at 7 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Tickets are $8, and you can buy them online.
Oct 19, 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, October 19, 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.
Oct 22, 2026, 7:00 PMShortbus at 20: John Cameron Mitchell's live commentary screening at Planet Ant
John Cameron Mitchell comes to Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. to celebrate 20 years of Shortbus with a live, in-person commentary screening full of behind-the-scenes stories. The night wraps with a Q&A and music. The film follows New Yorkers who converge at an infamous underground salon.
Oct 22, 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, October 22, 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.
Oct 23, 2026, 8:00 PMTHEATRE | My Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Friday, October 23, at 8 p.m. in the Ant Hall at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Think Hammer Horror meets National Lampoon's Vacation; tickets are available online.
Oct 23, 2026, 8:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck stages the psychological thriller I'd Love to Have You for Dinner on Friday, October 23, at 8 p.m. An ancient vampire and a vampire hunter sit down for a home-cooked first-and-three-quarters date. The show contains extreme violence and gore.
Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 PMTHEATRE: My Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. in the Ant Hall at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Think Hammer Horror meets National Lampoon's Vacation; tickets are $30 online or $35 at the door.
Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Michele Harte's psychological thriller I'd Love to Have You for Dinner hits the stage at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck on Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. It's a first-and-three-quarters date where one diner is a vampire and the other hunts them. Tickets are available online.
Oct 25, 2026, 3:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Planet Ant Theatre stages the psychological thriller I'd Love to Have You for Dinner on Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m. in Hamtramck. An ancient vampire and a vampire hunter sit down to a home-cooked first-and-three-quarters date, and tickets are available online.
Oct 26, 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, October 26, 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.
Oct 27, 2026, 7:00 PMImprov Student Showcase: Planet Ant's newest improvisers take the stage in Hamtramck
Who's the next big star from Planet Ant? Decide for yourself on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 7 p.m., when Training Center students wrap their term at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, with short-form and long-form improv. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. sharp. Tickets are only $8.
Oct 28, 2026, 8:00 PMCicada: I Was a Teenage Horror Movie! at Planet Ant in Hamtramck
In 1997, teens shot a VHS horror epic; nearly 30 years later, they edited it as a comedy. Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, screens Cicada: I Was a Teenage Horror Movie! on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 8 p.m.: a bloody twist on vampire lore and an endearing portrait of young filmmakers.
Oct 29, 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, October 29, 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.
Oct 30, 2026, 8:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Michele Harte's psychological thriller pits an ancient vampire against a vampire hunter on a dinner date, Friday, October 30, at 8 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Tickets are available online.
Oct 30, 2026, 8:00 PMLilith's Big Ol' Golden Show presents "A Very Cvnty Halloween"
Lilith Von Tal and the Deceptacvnts burlesque troupe throw a Devil's Night show on Friday, October 30, at 8 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. Guests include Jade Benjamins, Hot Damn Red and the legendary The Marvelous Melei. Tickets start at $20.
Oct 31, 2026, 8:00 PMMy Daddy is Haunted!
Planet Ant Theatre's original horror comedy My Daddy is Haunted! plays a special Halloween show on Saturday, October 31, at 8 p.m. at the Ant Hall in Hamtramck. It's a haunted-castle family vacation where dear old dad starts acting very strange.
Oct 31, 2026, 8:00 PMI'd Love to Have You for Dinner
Michele Harte's psychological thriller I'd Love to Have You for Dinner plays Saturday, October 31, at 8 p.m. at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. It's a first-and-three-quarters date where one diner is a vampire and the other hunts them.
Nov 1, 2026, 6:30 PMJoe Greer: Talk at You with Me at Planet Ant in Hamtramck
Joe Greer brings his new one-person comedy show, Talk at You with Me, to Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Street in Hamtramck, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.. Expect new sketches, original characters and plenty of positive, chaotic energy.
Nov 2, 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 2, 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 5, 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 5, 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 6, 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 6, 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 7, 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 7, 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 7, 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, November 7, 2026, at 10:30 p.m., then veteran Detroit improvisers and a killer opening group turn it into comedy. Tickets are $7.
Nov 8, 2026, 2:00 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 Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 2 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 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 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 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 27, 2026, 8:00 PMComedy: improv4humans with Matt Besser featuring Tim Meadows and Danielle Schneider
Matt Besser, a co-founder of modern improv, brings improv4humans to Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 8 p.m. He’s joined by Tim Meadows and Danielle Schneider for a night of top-notch improv comedy.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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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