"The Chapel Hill Players" (CHiPs) is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's premiere improv and sketch comedy team. The group is unique among college improv teams for its employment of a training program (The Incubator). Before auditioning for CHiPs' performance group, UNC students must audition for The Incubator program, and undergo at least one semester of basic improv training.
CHiPs performs two big shows a semester for 400-600 person audiences. Additionally, CHiPs appears in front of a number of smaller audiences every semester, for events like the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival. The group was created in 1995 by DSI Comedy Theater founder, Zach Ward, and Upright Citizens Brigade member Megan Grano.
Prominent former members of the group include television and film actors Jeff Richards (Saturday Night Live, MADtv) and Maddy Curley (Stick It, Cold Case). In 2011 CHiPs won Improvisation News' INNY Award for best college improv group.