Florida Studio Theatre's fourth annual Sarasota Improv Festival returns this weekend for two-nights of comedy with more than a dozen of the most acclaimed groups on the national improv scene.

In one-hour slots on the stages of FST's Goldstein Cabaret and Keating Theatre, groups will perform different types of improv shows: traditional improv games, long-form comedy, short sketches and musical improv.

"You're with a group of people that have experienced something that no one else is going to experience," said Amber Nash, returning performer to the festival, in a statement.

Nash is a member of Dad's Garage who will be performing both Friday and Saturday. One of Nash's favorite parts of the festival is "all play" when all the groups come together to perform a few scenes.

"It's a little crazy because there are so many people," Nash said. "But improv is a universal language between improvisers so you have the ability to do a great scene with them even if you've never met them before."

The festival also includes an opening night party at The Broadway Bar and closing night party at Maximo with food catered by Nancy's BBQ.

There will also be multiple improv workshops taught by the visiting artists on Saturday; and the popular closing night improv jam with all the improv artists working together to create new and original sketches.

Festival schedule:

July 20

6 p.m.: FST Improv (Sarasota) -- Cabaret

7 p.m.: Just the Funny (Miami) -- Cabaret

8 p.m.: ImprovBoston (Boston) -- Cabaret

8 p.m. : The Third Thought (Tampa) -- Keating

9 p.m.: Dad's Garage (Atlanta) -- Keating

10 p.m.: The HITMEN (Chicago) -- KeatingOpening Night Party at Broadway Bar, 1001 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota.

July 21

5 p.m.: Vintage Whine (Sarasota) - Cabaret

6 p.m.: Lazy Fairy (Sarasota) - Cabaret

7 p.m.: Stacked (Chicago) - Cabaret

7 p.m.: Dad's Garage (Atlanta) - Keating

8 p.m.: Jester Theater (Orlando) - Keating

9 p.m.: Available Cupholders (Austin) - Keating

10 p.m.: SAK Comedy Lab (Orlando) - Keating

11 p.m.: All Play - KeatingClosing Night Party at Maximo, First St., Sarasota.

Details: 6 p.m. July 20, 5 p.m. July 21, Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Tickets: $10 (individual shows), $15 (July 20 starting at 8 p.m.), $25 (July 21 starting at 7 p.m.), $40 (Keating Theatre weekend pass). Information: 941-366-9000 or www.floridastudioTheatre.org.

--Wade Tatangelo