ComedySportz

ComedySportz
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Years Active	1986-2012, 2017 - current
Directed by	Shawn Utterback, Terril Fischer
Cast	Various

This page refers to the sports-themed short-form improv show that currently runs Saturday nights at Pinballz Lakecreek. For the competitive short-form improv show that's had several runs as a Hideout mainstage show, see Theatresports.

ComedySportz refers to the Austin franchise of ComedySportz.

Summary

ComedySportz is a format in which teams of improvisers compete to do the best short-form improv. A referee oversees the competition, and a scorekeeper assigns points to each team's efforts. The show emphasizes quick-witted, short-form, family-friendly comedy. True to its name, the show includes many sports conventions -- the referee dresses in a vertically-striped jersey, the tech booth provides sports-arena-style music, and the players can get penalized for "fouls", including the "brown bag foul" (lewd or offensive humor), and the "groaner foul" (awful puns).

History

The franchise had its first audition on 1/22/86 (Superbowl Sunday). Over their 28-year run, they put on over five thousand shows -- both in Austin and on tour around the world.

In 2000, the Austin Audacities defeated the Chicago Jazz in a nail-biting finale to the ComedySportz National Tournament and were crowned the Champions of the Comedy League of America.

ComedySportz participated in both The 40-Hour Improv Marathon and The 41-Hour Improv Marathon.

The Austin franchise closed up shop in 2012, but former players Shawn Utterback and Terrill Fischer acquired the license in 2017. Comedy Sportz now performs weekly at Zach North.

Theaters

ComedySportz ran in a number of theaters over the course of its existence, including:

• 1991: Olive's Pizza
• 1992: The Velveeta Room (at the time, called "The Deep End of Esther's Pool")
• 1993: Headliners East
• 1994-1996: The ComedySportz Improv Club
• 1997: The Velveeta Room
• 1998-1999: The Laugh Stop's Lounge
• 1999-2004: The ComedySportz Playhouse
• 2008-2012: Café Caffeine
• 2017 - 2017: Pinballz Lakecreek
• 2017 - Present: Zach NW

Cast

ComedySportz included some 350 members over the course of its existence, including:

• Aden Kirschner
• Allison Gobin Fischer
• Amy Averett
• Andre Meadows
• Ann Kirkham
• Ben Bartley
• Ben Prince
• Brandi
• Britain Spellings
• Briton Kolber
• Camille Seely
• Christina Piazza
• Craig Lee Davis
• Cynthia Cobb Oelkers
• Darrell Barber
• Dav Wallace
• Dave Cox
• David Westerberg
• Dayne Choate
• Debra Downing
• Devin Kennedy-Puthoff
• Don Johnson
• Donna Kay Yarborough
• Eric Christianson
• Eric Heiberg
• Eric Perry
• Erin Molson
• Erin Plischke
• Francisco J. Benevides
• George Bendele
• Greg Gondek
• Harlan Gleeson
• Hiram Flores
• Holly Hepp-Galvan
• Jaime Gonzales
• Jen Cargill
• Jennifer Gray
• Jerm Pollet
• Jesse Pangelinan
• Jessica Arjet
• Jim Dogget
• JJ Olson
• Jodi Egerton
• Joe Parsons
• John Porter
• Josh Painting
• Joy Gohring
• Joyce Garrison
• Keith Price
• Laura House
• Laura Walberg
• Lela Dawkins
• Les McGehee
• Lisa Perry
• Louise Richardson
• Liz Abersold
• Madi Goff
• Marc Pruter
• Mariella Krause
• Marina McGehee
• Mark Shoemaker
• Martin Garcia
• Matt Pollock
• Megan Flynn
• Meghan Wolff
• Melissa Cathcart
• Michael Brockman
• Michael Raffety
• Monte Bingham
• Murray Harvel
• Owen Egerton
• Quin Arbeitman
• Rachel Arieff
• Rachel Madorsky
• Rick Bartlet
• Robert Stanton
• Sara Farr
• Scott Chester
• Scott Perry
• Sean Petrie
• Shane Breaux
• Shannon Pickard
• Shawn Utterback
• Steve Makler
• Steve Sanders
• Sunny Sweeney
• Tana Rogers
• Terrill Fisher
• Tiffany Slay
• Tim Bauer
• Tim Simek
• Tonie Perensky
• Topping Haggerty
• Tyler Bryce
• Mike Kinald

Media

Photos

• Old photosets from Tyler Bryce: 1, 2

More Information

• The homepage for ComedySportz Austin.