ComedySportz (multiple cities)

ComedySportz was founded in 1984 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Dick Chudnow, who created a revolutionary format that fused improv comedy with the energy and structure of competitive sports. The original concept was simple but brilliant: two teams of improvisers compete head-to-head in front of a live audience, with a referee calling fouls and the audience voting on winners — transforming improv from a niche art form into an accessible, family-friendly spectator event. The format proved so popular that it quickly expanded through a franchise model, and by the early 2000s ComedySportz had theaters operating in over 25 cities across the United States and internationally. Key franchise locations include Milwaukee (the flagship), Indianapolis, Portland, San Jose, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and cities across the UK. The organization rebranded some locations under the 'CSz' name in 2019 to modernize its identity while maintaining the core competitive format. ComedySportz holds the distinction of being one of the first improv organizations to prove that comedy training and performance could thrive outside of Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, democratizing access to improv education across the country.

In 2025, ComedySportz continues to operate as the largest network of improv comedy theaters in the United States, with each franchise location independently owned and operated while adhering to the core CSz format and training standards. What makes ComedySportz unique among improv institutions is its unwavering commitment to family-friendly, 'clean' comedy — every show and class operates under a strict 'no profanity, no vulgarity' policy (enforced by the signature 'Brown Bag Foul' where audience members who violate the rule must wear a paper bag on their head). This approach has made ComedySportz the entry point for thousands of performers who might never have walked into a traditional improv theater, including teenagers, corporate teams, and families. The competitive match format — with its referee, team colors, scorekeeping, and audience voting — creates an atmosphere that is more accessible and less intimidating than the typical improv show, which has proven remarkably effective at building new audiences for live comedy. Each franchise location maintains its own training program, performance schedule, and community, while benefiting from the national CSz network for branding, format development, and cross-city performance opportunities.

Getting started with ComedySportz training varies by location, as each franchise operates its own class schedule and registration process. Most locations offer a beginner-level improv class (often called Level 1 or Foundations) that requires no prior experience and is open to adults ages 18 and up — some locations also offer teen programs for ages 13 to 17. Registration is typically handled through the individual franchise's website, and class sizes are usually capped at 12 to 16 students. The typical training track runs three to five levels, progressing from improv basics (yes-and, listening, agreement) through short-form game mastery, team dynamics, and performance technique. Each level generally consists of six to eight weekly sessions of two to three hours each. After completing the training track, students at most locations can audition for the ComedySportz match roster, where they perform in the competitive shows that are the heart of the CSz experience. Some locations also offer specialty workshops, corporate training programs, and summer intensives.

The training experience at ComedySportz is distinctly short-form focused, which sets it apart from the long-form emphasis at theaters like UCB, iO, or Second City. Students learn a wide repertoire of improv games — from audience suggestion-driven scenes to musical improv, genre parodies, and rapid-fire competition games — all designed to develop quick thinking, strong audience connection, and the ability to create comedy under pressure. The competitive match format is woven into the training from early levels, teaching students not just how to improvise but how to perform for and with an audience in a high-energy, interactive setting. Instructors at most locations are veteran CSz performers who have logged hundreds or thousands of match performances, bringing real-world stage experience to the classroom. One of the most valuable aspects of CSz training is the emphasis on ensemble skills and team dynamics — students learn to support their teammates, share the spotlight, and build comedy collaboratively rather than competing for individual laughs. Many locations supplement the core curriculum with workshops on hosting, refereeing, and producing shows, giving students a well-rounded understanding of live comedy production.

ComedySportz attracts a broader demographic than most improv theaters, thanks to its family-friendly brand and nationwide presence. Students range from teenagers exploring comedy for the first time to corporate professionals seeking communication skills to aspiring performers building a foundation before moving to larger improv markets. The clean comedy policy makes CSz particularly appealing to students from conservative or religious backgrounds who might be uncomfortable with the edgier content common at theaters like the Annoyance or iO. Notable alumni who got their start in ComedySportz include Iliza Shlesinger (Netflix special comedian and winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing), Jeff Davis (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Dan Harmon (creator of Community and Rick and Morty, who performed at CSz Milwaukee), and Ryan Stiles (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, who has performed at CSz events). The franchise model means CSz has produced thousands of performers across the country, many of whom have gone on to careers in comedy, acting, writing, and entertainment in their local markets even if they did not relocate to major industry hubs.

Pricing at ComedySportz varies by franchise location, but most training programs fall in the range of $250 to $325 per level in 2025. A typical beginner class runs $250 to $300 for six to eight sessions, which is comparable to or slightly below the per-level cost at major improv theaters in Chicago or New York. The complete training track (three to five levels depending on location) generally costs $750 to $1,500 total. Many locations offer early-bird discounts, multi-level package deals, or student/military discounts that can reduce the total cost by 10 to 15 percent. Teen programs are usually priced similarly to adult classes, and some locations offer financial assistance or scholarship programs. Corporate training workshops and team-building events are priced separately and are generally more expensive than individual classes, ranging from $500 to $2,000+ depending on group size and customization. One significant value-add at CSz is that performers who make the match roster typically receive free admission to shows, free ongoing rehearsal time, and in some cases a small per-show stipend — making it one of the few improv institutions where completing the training can lead to compensated performance opportunities.

ComedySportz is an excellent choice for performers in cities without other professional improv training options, for complete beginners who want a fun and non-intimidating introduction to improv, and for anyone who values clean comedy and family-friendly performance skills. It is also a strong fit for corporate professionals who want to develop communication, teamwork, and presentation skills through improv techniques. If you live in a CSz city and are curious about improv but find the idea of a Chicago or New York improv theater intimidating, ComedySportz is the perfect starting point. However, if you are seriously pursuing a professional improv or comedy career, you should plan to supplement CSz training with long-form study at a theater like UCB, iO, or Second City — CSz alone will not prepare you for the full range of performance and audition contexts you will encounter. If you are already an experienced improviser looking to sharpen your long-form skills, CSz training will not address that need. For performers in major improv cities (Chicago, NYC, LA), training at the established institutions in those markets will provide more comprehensive education and stronger industry connections.

Embrace the clean comedy discipline fully rather than treating it as a limitation — the skill of creating hilarious material without relying on profanity or shock value is genuinely rare and will distinguish you in auditions, corporate gigs, and family-friendly entertainment markets. If your ComedySportz location hosts a tournament or cross-city jam, participate enthusiastically — performing with improvisers from other cities is one of the best ways to grow and to build connections across the national CSz network. Supplement your CSz training with long-form improv study as soon as possible, whether through a nearby theater, online classes, or intensive workshops in Chicago or New York — the combination of strong short-form skills and long-form training will make you a more versatile performer. Ask about refereeing and hosting opportunities in addition to performing — these skills translate directly to emceeing, event hosting, and corporate facilitation, which are lucrative career paths for improv-trained performers. If you are in a smaller CSz market, organize additional practice sessions (called 'jams' or 'practices') with your fellow performers outside of class time — the more stage time and rehearsal you log, the faster you will improve.