Difference between revisions of "ComedySportz"

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{{Infobox Troupe
{{Infobox Troupe
|Name = ComedySportz
|Name = ComedySportz
|Picture = ComedySportz 1999.jpg
|Picture =[[https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22045647_1452173014860061_858548939201338246_n.png?oh=0b2426e8f3b5c41c2ba7de2d26dc21ae&oe=5A8A2C84]]
|Cast = Various
|Cast = Various
|Director = [[Les McGehee]]
|Director = [[Shawn Utterback, Terril Fischer]]
|Years = 1986-2012
|Years = 1986-2012, 2017 - current
}}
}}
: ''This page refers to the sports-themed short-form improv show that ran in a number of theaters from 1986 to 2012.  For the competitive short-form improv show that's had several runs as a [[Hideout]] mainstage show, see ''[[Theatresports]]''.''
: ''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 [[wikipedia:ComedySportz|ComedySportz]].  
'''ComedySportz''' refers to the Austin franchise of [[wikipedia:ComedySportz|ComedySportz]].  


== Summary ==
== Summary ==
ComedySportz is a format in which teams of improvisors 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).
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 ==
== History ==
The franchise had its first show 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 country.
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.


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


The Austin franchise closed up shop in 2012, but the San Antonio franchise continues to put on shows.
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 ==
==Theaters ==
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* 1992: [[The Velveeta Room]] (at the time, called "The Deep End of Esther's Pool")
* 1992: [[The Velveeta Room]] (at the time, called "The Deep End of Esther's Pool")
* 1993: [[Headliners East]]
* 1993: [[Headliners East]]
* 1994-1996: [[The ComedySportz Improv Club]]
* 1997: [[The Velveeta Room]]
* 1997: [[The Velveeta Room]]
* 1998-1999: [[The Laugh Stop's Lounge]]
* 1998-1999: [[The Laugh Stop's Lounge]]
* 1999-2004: [[The ComedySportz Playhouse]]
* 1999-2004: [[The ComedySportz Playhouse]]
* 2004-2006: [[The ComedySportz Improv Club]]
* 2008-2012: [[Café Caffeine]]
* 2008-2012: [[Café Caffeine]]
* 2017 - 2017: [[Pinballz Lakecreek]]
* 2017 - Present: [[Zach NW]]


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
ComedySportz included some 350 members over the course of its existence, including:
ComedySportz included some 350 members over the course of its existence, including:
* [[Aden Kirschner]]
* [[Allison Gobin Fischer]]
* [[Allison Gobin Fischer]]
* [[Amy Averett]]
* [[Amy Averett]]
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* [[Dave Cox]]
* [[Dave Cox]]
* [[David Westerberg]]
* [[David Westerberg]]
* [[Dayne Choat]]
* [[Dayne Choate]]
* [[Debra Downing]]
* [[Debra Downing]]
* [[Devin Kennedy-Puthoff]]
* [[Devin Kennedy-Puthoff]]
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* [[Eric Heiberg]]
* [[Eric Heiberg]]
* [[Eric Perry]]
* [[Eric Perry]]
* [[Erin Molson]]
* [[Erin Plischke]]
* [[Erin Plischke]]
* [[Francisco J. Benevides]]
* [[Francisco J. Benevides]]
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* [[Lisa Perry]]
* [[Lisa Perry]]
* [[Louise Richardson]]
* [[Louise Richardson]]
* [[Loz Abersold]]
* [[Liz Abersold]]
* [[Madi Goff]]
* [[Madi Goff]]
* [[Marc Pruter]]
* [[Marc Pruter]]
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* [[Michael Brockman]]
* [[Michael Brockman]]
* [[Michael Raffety]]
* [[Michael Raffety]]
* [[Monte Bingham]]
* [[Murray Harvel]]
* [[Murray Harvel]]
* [[Owen Egerton]]
* [[Owen Egerton]]
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* [[Shane Breaux]]
* [[Shane Breaux]]
* [[Shannon Pickard]]
* [[Shannon Pickard]]
* [[Steve Catlack]]
* [[Shawn Utterback]]
* [[Steve Makler]]
* [[Steve Makler]]
* [[Steve Sanders]]
* [[Steve Sanders]]
* [[Sunny Shasta Sweeney]]
* [[Sunny Sweeney]]
* [[Tana Rogers]]
* [[Tana Rogers]]
* [[Terrill Fisher]]
* [[Terrill Fisher]]
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* [[Tim Bauer]]
* [[Tim Bauer]]
* [[Tim Simek]]
* [[Tim Simek]]
* [[Tony Perenski]]
* [[Tonie Perensky]]
* [[Topping Haggerty]]
* [[Topping Haggerty]]
* [[Tyler Bryce]]
* [[Tyler Bryce]]
* [[Mike Kinald]]
== Media ==
=== Photos ===
* Old photosets from [[Tyler Bryce]]: [http://www.facebook.com/tylerbryce/media_set?set=a.10151079418297704.498105.505207703&type=3 1], [http://www.facebook.com/tylerbryce/media_set?set=a.10151081452217704.498300.505207703&type=3 2]


== More Information ==
== More Information ==
* [http://www.comedysportz.com/austin.html The homepage for ComedySportz Austin.]
* [http://www.comedysportzaustin.com The homepage for ComedySportz Austin.]


[[Category:Troupes]]
[[Category:Troupes]]

Latest revision as of 14:10, 1 December 2018


ComedySportz

[[File:[[1]]|frameless|border|150px|]]

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:

Cast

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

Media

Photos

More Information