Buffalo ComedySportz has been making Western New York laugh for 20 years and this year brought home the city's first ever World ComedySportz Championship!
For those not familiar with this entertaining improv-game, ComedySportz (CSz) is interactive, competitive comedy - comedy played as a sport in many cities across the US and Europe.
Two teams of comedians ("actletes") try to out-funny each other in a series of games, scenes, and songs, vying for coveted votes from the audience ("loyal fans"). The referee keeps watch and calls fouls, ensuring both teams are playing fair and everyone is having a good time.
Loyal fan involvement is critical to every CSz match. The referee facilitates suggestion-gathering from the fans, encouraging them to shout out creative suggestions and ensuring that every game and scene is different from any performed before. Loyal fans vote after each round – ultimately choosing the winners of the match – and willing volunteers are often encouraged to participate in a game with the actletes.
CSz matches are always all-ages events (though other shows at the Arena may not be), and CSz is often called on to play for school functions and family-friendly fundraisers, as well as to host bachelorette parties and corporate training events.
On July 15th, Buffalo CSz hosted the 2013 ComedySportz World Championship, which saw 150 players representing 23 CSz cities and several thousand fans from Buffalo and beyond come together in downtown Buffalo for one giant improv spectacle.
After cruising through the preliminary rounds (putting together a 3-0 record with victories over Portland, San Antonio and Seattle), the Buffalo squad, featuring Brian Tabak, Dale Fischer, Alex DiVirgilio, and Justin Green, was able to squeeze by Indianapolis in the final match, 28-26. All of the proceeds from the international event were donated to Carly's Club at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Founded in 1993, Buffalo ComedySportz is in the midst of its twentieth anniversary celebration. CSz transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in 2008 and, since that time, has opened its own theatre (The ComedySportz Arena), more than tripled the number of weekly performances, built a successful 4-tier improv training program, expanded its Improvathon to an annual 49½-hour event, and increased its roster to 30 major league and 15 minor league players.
Show Schedule is as follows:
ComedySportz (All Ages): Every Friday, 8pm & Saturday, 7pm
IMF (adults only): 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month, 9:30pm
All Skate Improv Jam: 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturdays of the month, 9:30 pm
Rec League (improvisers-in-training): 2nd Thursday of the month, 7pm
ComedySportz also adds shows during holidays (long weekends, Christmas, New Year’s, etc.) and perform “road shows” when contracted by business, schools, churches, etc., and as fundraiser events.
For more information check them out online at http://www.buffalocsz.com/
