ComedySportz (CSz) is an improvisational comedy organization started in 1984 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a group of local comedians including Dick Chudnow, Bob Orvis, Brian Green, and others.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The traditional format of a ComedySportz match features two teams of improvisational performers ("Players"), competing in various rounds, using improv games and performing scenes. Audience members judge the results and award points as directed by the Referee. In every match, a ComedySportz 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 more competitive and For Everyone (content-wise) version of the Theatresports format, which preceded ComedySportz by 7 years.
ComedySportz penalties (put in place for the audience's benefit) include:
Example: Why does the Norwegian navy put barcodes on ships? So they can Scandenavian
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 28 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. Sometimes the members of the comedic improv team also work sound and lights. 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.[8]
Teams meet annually at the ComedySportz World Championship for a competitive tournament, training, and exchange of artistic, marketing, and organizational ideas. The location of the tournament rotates among the member cities. The first world championship that Milwaukee won was in 1988. The banner hangs in the Milwaukee stadium. The first World Championship in Milwaukee's new arena was August 4–7, 2004, also served as the Grand Opening for Milwaukee's all-new ComedySportz Arena at 420 South 1st Street in Milwaukee. In 2009, the World Championship returned to Milwaukee for the 25th anniversary celebration, and returned again in 2014 to celebrate both its 30th anniversary and rebranding of the logo.
Prior to 2004, this mostly annual event was billed as the "ComedySportz National Tournament."
In 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic the championships were held online. Portland defeated Jersey Shore in the 2021 Championship match.
| Year | Host City | World Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 2023 | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | Seattle, Washington | Seattle |
| 2021 | Online | Portland |
| 2020 | Online | Houston |
| 2019 | Philadelphia | |
| 2018 | Los Angeles | |
| 2017 | San Jose | |
| 2016 | Indianapolis | |
| 2015 | Quad Cities | Quad Cities |
| 2014 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 2013 | Buffalo, New York | Buffalo |
| 2012 | Chicago | Chicago |
| 2011 | Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
| 2010 | Philadelphia | Philadelphia |
| 2009 | Milwaukee | DRAW - Milwaukee & Twin Cities |
| 2008 | Portland, Oregon | Portland |
| 2007 | Quad Cities | Quad Cities |
| 2006 | San Jose, California | San Jose |
| 2005 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| 2004 | Milwaukee | Twin Cities |
| 2003 | Washington DC | Washington DC |
| 2002 | Quad Cities | Quad Cities |
| 2001 | Chicago | Chicago |
| 2000 | Austin | Austin |
| 1999 | Portland | Portland |
| 1998 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 1997 | ??? | Quad Cities |
| 1996 | Kansas City | Kansas City |
| 1995 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 1994 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 1993 | Milwaukee | New York City |
| 1992 | Milwaukee | New York City |
| 1991 | N/A | N/A |
| 1990 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 1989 | Milwaukee | Madison |
| 1988 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |