ComedySportz

ComedySportz (CSz) is an improvisational comedy organization started in 1984 in Milwaukee, by a group of local comedians including Dick Chudnow, Bob Orvis, Brian Green, and others.

The traditional format of a ComedySportz match features two teams of improvisational performers (players), competing in various improv games and performing scenes with audience members judging the results and awarding points. In every match, a CSz referee monitors the action, awarding points, and administering fouls as necessary. The flavor is somewhat like the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, though the ComedySportz organization precedes that show's debut by 4 years. The CSz format is a higher-energy, more varied, and more sports-oriented version of the Theatresports format, which preceded ComedySportz by 7 years.

ComedySportz penalties (put in place for the audience's benefit) include:

Although the image of competition is maintained, the teams are often dynamic, with rosters depending on which player (many of whom have other occupations) are available for a match at any given time, and match outcomes are not pre-determined as audience voting/selected judges decide the winner.

CSz Worldwide and ComedySportz are licensed by the World Comedy League Incorporated. There are over 23 cities with licensed ComedySportz organizations, most in the United States. In recent years, ComedySportz has been licensed in Manchester, England (although this team originated in Chorley, Lancashire) and Berlin, Germany.

Most ComedySportz cities operate their own "arenas," some with theatre type settings, others as nightclubs. Few (including ComedySportz Milwaukee) have their very own bar and restaurant. The clean content and audience focused nature of the ComedySportz match allows CSz groups to perform thousands of road shows for corporate, college, church, school, and association clients each year; most CSz groups also lead corporate team-building workshops. In addition, players from some cities coach ComedySportz high school and middle school leagues, in which students perform in shows similar to those seen at the "professional" level.

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