December Player of the Month: Travis Reynolds

Although Travis has only been performing with ComedySportz for about a year and a half, he has proved to be a crowd favorite time and time again. We sat down with Mr. Reynolds to get a little depth into his improv life.

Player Since: 2007
Day Job: High School Teacher
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Favorite thing about CSz: Entertaining people
When no one is looking you like to: Read or cook. I am a pretty quiet guy when nobody is around.
Biggest Influences: Family, 10 of us and each has had an unique impact on my life.
Best Advice for People Who want to Learn Improv: Laugh at yourself and be confident even in the most awkward moments.

Were you always funny growing up?
As a young man I was constantly trying to make people laugh. It was a real high for me to see people smile and be entertained. I was eccentric and over-the-top goofy at times but it taught me to take life one laugh at a time. As a bragging point, I was named "Most Funny" in my graduating class in high school. That being said, I believe the question answers itself.

What is the biggest sturggle for you in improv (if there is one)? The theatrical side of improv is my biggest struggle. I love to be funny but improv has taught me that funny is often found when you aren't even trying for it. Creating a believable and lovable story in an improv scene is equal in importance to the comedic quality of the scene.

Who influences you the most at CSz? One of my favorite aspects of this type of comedy is the diversity of comedic styles. Every show is a new experience and new opportunity to learn or observe something from my fellow ComedySportz players. Each of us contributes his or her own version of funny and, when the chemistry is just right, it makes for brilliant moments of comic genius.

What type of games do you enjoy the most (you can name some specifically)? I really enjoy character games, music games, and two team games. I don't believe there is one specific game which I enjoy more than any other. Improv comedy has a way of changing your view on a particular game; one night it is harmoniously hilarious and the next night the audience is on the edge of shouting expletives and voting Democratic.

You have been sighted as a Will Ferrell look-a-like/act-a-like. How does that make you feel? I consider Will Ferrell one of the premier names in comedy in the last several years and am certainly flattered if a person compliments me by my similarity to him. Although I admire and respect his comedy, I never think about him or attempt to mimic his style during the shows. I guess we share a common interpretation of what is funny and deliver our comedy accordingly.

Does teaching have an affect on your improvising and vice versa?

Teaching certainly builds a comfort with being in front of groups and develops your improv skills and wit. I humbly believe if I am funny enough to entertain a crowd of ornery, hormonal, and extremely critical teenagers I should be able to get a chuckle out of just about any crowd. I love my profession as an educator and have found comedy and laughter to be key ingredients in reaching a teenage audience and creating a meaningful relationship with my students.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I love the people who visit ComedySportz and share their time with us. It is a jealous pleasure of mine to be on stage, but without the kind, friendly people who allow us to entertain them it would be a rather boring business. So, thanks.

Thanks YOU, Travis.

ComedySportz LA vs Provo

November 21st and 22nd marked a day in CSz Utah history.

Three performers from ComedySportz LA challenged Provo to a comedy battle that couldn't be refused.

D, Myles, and Andre (left to right red-LA) took on

Mark Berrett, Jeff Blake, and Matt Mattson

(left to right blue) Friday night

and Mike Bailey, Will Rubio, and Jake Van Wagoner on Saturday night.

From their foriegn games like Triple Feature, and Timeline, to our signatures such as Boo-Yea!, and Hey Baby, both nights were filled with laughs and holly geez moments that only a group from LA could deliver.

We are deeply honored to have such talented people visit the valley.

Until next time LA, keep on entertaining and

may the improv be with you.

First Feast Photos 2008

Take a look at these photos of some of our gifted actletes who played early pioneers at Thanksgiving Point's First Feast event.

CSz Players on Fox Utah

Joel and Scott, two of CSz Utah's finest actletes, were featured characters on Good Day Utah. Eating and chatting with Big Budah, Govenor William Bradford (Joel) and Myles Standish (Scott) discussed cuisine and habits of early pioneers at the First Feast (the event Thanksgiving is based upon).

Check out their video here:

http://www.myfoxutah.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=7892573&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.2.1

(sixth and seventh video on the side bar)

Or see them at the Thanksgiving Point First Feast on November 21st, 22nd, or 23rd:

Get tickets and all the info at http://www.thanksgivingpoint.com/

Have a fun and Happy Thanksgiving, from ComedySportz Utah!

Halloween Report 2008!

On October 24th and 25th, hundreds of people, many in costume, came to our annual Halloween shows. Witches, wizards, Mickey n Miny Mouse, a waitress, a 'leaf blower' and more crowded the stage as prizes and awards were given to the person/pair that dressed the best.

Our performers had a blast and we'd like to thank everyone who attended.

Until next year, keep a hauntin' Utah!

November Player(s) of the Month: Tom and Tanya Quinn

Tom and Tanya Quinn are one of the many couples that play together at ComedySportz. They live together in Heber, Utah and have been doing improv comedy for a combined total of 11 years! We sat down with them for a minute and asked some emotionally sundering questions.

Tom

Player Since: March 2001

Day Job: Ferrier (horse shoer)

Hometown: Heber City, Utah

Favorite thing about CSz: the Sat. 12:00 a.m. show

When no one is looking you like to: start fights with smaller, weaker guys and kick them between the legs when they’re not looking either.

Biggest Influences: the little devil and little angel on my shoulder

Best Advice for People Who want to learn improv: While performing, never admit mistakes. After the show, fess up and learn from all of them.

Tanya

Player Since: 2004

Day Job: Cook

Hometown: Bakersfield, CA

Fav thing about CSz: The audience; I love performing when people are there.

Who is your hero/heroine? Dorothy Gale. She went all the way over that rainbow.

Where would you like to vacation and why? Yosemite, every time.

Tanya

How did you get involved with improv?

I have always loved the stage. When I was little I would stand up on the fireplace and demand the room’s attention. My goal was to command it, but I would settle for demanding. I never grew out of it. I performed with a high school improv troop and then began a theatre degree.

Tom

You left CSz Utah for a while, what's the story behind that?

We moved to Jackson Hole for a year to work on the river and to start an improv club of our own.

Tanya

What scares you about performing?

What if, while in the middle of a really funny scene, I get a paper cut and the vampires in the audience all attack me?

Tom

Is there a difference between Provo crowds and other audiences you've performed for?

They all look the same in the dark. I don’t like to look at the audience during a show, I have nervous bladder syndrome.

Tom

What is your favorite game and why?

Patty Cake, because everybody wins.

Tom

Name an embarrassing moment you had at CSz.

I once demanded that a man in the back of the room stand up and be recognized as one of the judges. He refused, and when I said that he must, several people in the audience let me know that the man was in a wheel chair.

Tanya

Women+Improv Comedy=What?

36X24X36

Both

What's it like performing with so much family: Pat, Ben, and each other?

It’s like our family reunion every time. There’s the awkwardness as we try to catch up; food, a lot of food; and Ben always ends up with his shirt off rubbing his belly.

Tanya

What is an area you wished you were better in--improv wise (gibberish, guessing, singing)?

Makin’ stuff up.

Either

When did you guys meet? Whats your love story, in essence?

I met Tanya while looking for a different girl at an apartment complex. Ever since that night we’ve been emotionally married, technically married too, but we don’t put too much weight on out-dated conventions like marriage or women’s rights.

October Player of the Month: Will Rubio!

Maybe one day Will will grace us with an interview...one day.

Halloween Shows 2008

Our annual Halloween shows are on October 24th and 25th at 8:00pm and 10:15pm, both nights (sorry, no shows on October 31st). In these shows, players play games that are Halloween themed--like Camp Fire Story or Monster Advice Panel-- along with games that are scary for the performers to play--like MOUSETRAP!. So come and laugh ALL your guts out. You'll be screaming for more when the lights go out this October.

September Player of the Month: Mark Berrett!

After a summer hiatus, the Player of the Month Feature has returned with a CSz classic, Mark Berrett. Growing up in Orem and joining Comedysportz in 2001, Mark Berrett can uproar crowds with his simple observations and solemn characters. We asked him a few questions about his Improv life.

Do you have a history with performing arts? If yes, what makes improv different from most theater?
I haven't done a lot of performing other than improv, but I would say it's the amount of "writing" that is done by the performer at the time of the performance. Also, improv has so many moments that are created just for you and the audience that is present that night, and then they're gone.

When did you first fall in love with improv?
During my first improv with Randy Tayler at the audition for the Garrens. And I fell in love with Randy, too, in a manly sort of way.

What brought you to Comedysportz?
Many of my friends were already performing at ComedySportz. And it's all about friends, people. All about friends. Don't forget that. Write it down.

You have said before that another reason you came to Comedysprotz was its long-form show, the Yellow # 2 Show. Is there a big difference between long-form improv and short-form improv (such as our regular Comedysportz shows)?
I wouldn't say there's a BIG difference, but they feel different, like wool and cotton. Long-form is wool. Wool comes from a sheep. Cotton is a plant. But you can wear them both. I once heard someone say long-form comes from the gut. It's true. And from sheep. Long-form also requires me to remember more stuff. But really our long-form show also has some short-form that just doesn't fit in the ComedySportz format, so I like to call it our experimental show. We do it on Thursdays. At 8:00. Only $4 bucks.

What was an embarrassing Comedysportz moment?
One time I forgot my lines. Ooops.

Any advice for our readers?
Take a ComedySportz player to lunch. Also, lose yourself in the service of others.

World Championships!

This year four of our very own comedians participated in the annual Comedysportz World Championships. Held in Portland, Oregon, this year, our team was in competition with over 30 other Comedysportz clubs. Provo made it to the championship match which is always held against the hosting city. Matt Mattson, Will Rubio, Mark Barret, and Mike Bailey (left to right) had the audience in uproar with their 'Last Second Expert' objections and Matt Mattson's classic 'Randy Newman'. Give these guys kudos if you see them around town or in our very own shows this weekend!

If you have Facebook account, check out this video:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=520430401459

May's Player of the Month: Todd Freestone!

Todd isn't one to draw attention to himself on stage. But if you're lucky enough to see a show when Todd is in the cast, you'll notice that he's usually the smartest/funniest/most clever person in the room.
Todd was gracious enough to answer a few questions for the blog.

How did you get into ComedySportz?

Actually, one of those high school buddies, Josh Hiatt, got me started with ComedySportz. He was doing shows and invited me to start doing the workshops, so I did, and one thing led to another, and now I'm here. Before then I had always thought about doing ComedySportz -- I'd come to shows when I was in high school. I doubt that I'd ever give it a shot if Josh wasn't doing it.

You're not a crazy-super showy player--your humor is subtle. One player called you a "comedy sniper." What are your feelings about your sense of humor compared to other players?

I'm pretty comfortable with my sense of humor, but it did take time for me to accept that I'm not a high energy player and that I probably never will be. A lot of the crowd falls in love with the witty, energetic types, which initially made me feel that I needed to find a way to emulate their style. But great performances really come down to being yourself and finding your own niche.

Has your science background helped your comedy?

Yes and no. Science requires creative and conceptual thinking, which is very helpful in improv. Science is also about understanding relationships and explaining them well, which is what also makes a good scene or story. However, science is heavily dependent on procedures and reproducing similar results under similar conditions, which completely opposes that which happens on stage.

When did you first feel like you were in your element on the CSz stage?

The first (and perhaps the last) time I felt like I was in my element was about two years ago. But I find it a good thing to not be in my element much because if I were in my element I would get complacent and resort to a style of improvisation I'd feel comfortable with.

The most exciting stuff that happens on stage usually happens when we're stretching ourselves and doing stuff we're afraid of. Also, the more I concentrate on being at my best, the more self-conscious I become, and I tend to close up. For me, going on stage with a mindset that I'll blunder allows me to be more natural.

Any on-stage horror stories you wish to disclose?

I don't really have any on-stage horror stories. I am a little OCD, so I do get spooked out a little bit when I touch the carpeted stage with my hands, or if I get some hair from a wig in my mouth.

What have you gotten out of ComedySportz?

More than anything, I've learned a lot about myself. Some of the things I've learned have surfaced in this interview, such as the importance of being yourself and being comfortable with who you are. Along with that, I've come recognize strengths I never was aware of.

April's Player of the Month: Scott Champion!

Born in Edmonton, raised in Alberta, this Canadian transplant has been with ComedySportz since 2000. He currently works as the office manager at CSz in addition to doing freelance design and consulting gigs. We knew where he works, so it was easy to have him sit down so we could pick his brain.

You've been with CSz for a long time.

Yeah. But I live here. I didn't come here to go to school.

When did you move to Utah?

I was seventeen. My dad got a job at BYU. My whole family's here, so when I go home for Christmas I have a long drive all the way to Orem.

How did you get involved with ComedySportz?

Long story short: I was the arts editor at the UVSC student newspaper and had heard about ComedySportz. I went to a show at the Wrapsody and it knocked my socks off. I knew I had to do it. But by the time I was available the Wrapsody closed, and ComedySportz disappeared for a few months. It popped back up at the Hale Center Theater. I took the workshops in the summer of 2000 and by September I did my first show at the Hale.

What was your first show like?

Honestly, I don't remember much. I know that I begged Curt to be in a show because I had a girl coming whom I wanted to impress. She ended up being a no-show.

That same girl, however, did come to a show at the club we now have when it first opened. We were playing object freeze, and someone brought a glass domed light fixture from their car. For some reason I put it on my head and it shattered. I stood frozen on stage as blood poured down my face. I don't know which was worse: her not coming to my first show or having her watch me be taken to the emergency room. Either way, I was in agony.

How many shows have you done?

Hundreds. I have no idea of an actual number. And they all kinda' turn into a blur. Every now and then someone who's seen a show will come up to me and make a reference to something funny I (apparently) did. I don't doubt that I did it, but it's impossible to remember everything.

What do you mean?

Improv is a disposable medium: it goes just as fast as it comes. It's of the moment. That's what makes it magical. It's kinda' like toilet paper.

What has been the best thing that has come from doing ComedySportz?

Honestly? I wouldn't have had the opportunities that I've had had it not been for people I met who perform at ComedySportz and work in the local film scene. I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done and, to some extent, am still able to do. Does that make sense?

Sure.

I've also made some incredible friends. Lifelong friends. Quite a few people I would totally rescue from a burning building.

Any advice for our readers?

No.

Ladies' Night at ComedySportz!

Once again ComedySportz will have its semi-annual Ladies' Night on Saturday April 5 at 8:00. That means if you have two X chromosomes, you get 2 for 1 admission!

The 2 for 1 offer isn't available online, so you need to call the ComedySportz office at 801.377.9700 to make your reservation (mention the promotion to get the discount), or you can print out this page and bring it with you when you come to the door.

Remember that Ladies' Night is good for the 8:00 SHOW ONLY. (So really, it's kinda' like Ladies' Hours, but that sounds weird.)

March's Player of the Month: Brett Merritt!

A fixture of local theater, Brett is quite a busy guy. Brett spends his time between working as a copywriter and being a husband and father. He's got his plate full, for sure, but somehow he managed to squeeze in an interview with us. What a swell guy.

You grew up in Orem?

Sorta. I was born in Salt Lake City, moved to Littleton, Colorado, when I was one. I lived there until I was about ten, moved to Meridian, Idaho (just outside Boise) for two years, and then my family settled in Orem. I consider Orem home because that’s were I went to junior high and high school and “grew up” there.

My wife Amelia and I tallied up all the times I’ve moved. I think it was something like twelve times in nineteen years. Even in Orem, I’ve lived in five different houses.

You became a step-dad when you got married two years ago.. How has it been going from living the single life to being the head of a family of four?

I was single for about 35 years. I’ve experienced all the—ahem—glories of single life. But when I got married, my wife already had two great kids. That’s been a huge adjustment. When you get married, you’re adjusting to the person got married to; the two of you are learning things about each other. Add to that two kids, who are individuals and have needs and interests, and it can make for an exciting, electric time bomb that can go off at any second. I think I’ve adjusted to it okay. It’s a lot of fun being a dad.

You’ve been with ComedySportz since 2001. How’d you get involved?

One of my best friends, Jake Suazo--we've known each other since 1997. We actually met on a double date. (We weren’t on the date together.) We got along really well. Eventually our girlfriends broke up with us, and I lost touch with him. I ran into him because we were in the same theater circles in the area. He told me he was doing ComedySportz when it first opened [in 1999]. He said I should come see a show. I did. It was a lot of fun, but I didn’t jump on the workshop wagon—I was doing a lot of theater and going to school; I didn’t think I had the time.

In 2001 I rekindled my friendship with Jake and he told me he was still doing ComedySportz. I started doing workshops in Salt Lake at the Hale Theater in West Valley. That’s actually where I did my first show, at the Hale Theater’s black box theater.

What was your biggest challenge as an improv actor when you first started at CSz?

I can think of two things:

One, I wanted everyone to like me, and that causes a lot of pressure if you do that. Not everyone is going to like you. I had to get over that and not care.

The other thing was I found it really hard to take risks and to put myself out there, playing certain games; things that were outside of my comfort zone. A lot of players have strengths in different areas, and I used to lock up and get really fearful about some of the things I wasn’t as strong. It took me a long time to attack improv without any fear. That was the best thing I ever did. Once I started doing that my shows started getting better, I think I got funnier, and the audience liked me more. I think.

Share with us an improv disaster.

My biggest disasters happen backstage. My most memorable was my fourth show—ever. I think I had been doing ComedySportz for like, a month, and I fell down the stairs during half time and bruised my tailbone and back. I think I still went out and finished the show.

Share with us an experience where everything worked out magically.

There have been a lot of nights where I felt really in sync with everybody on stage, and we could do no wrong. Those are always fun to have.

Have you always wanted to be a performer?

My mom had a dress-up box of old clothes and wigs and jackets and dresses—yes, I wore dresses sometimes—and I’d pretend stuff. I wanted to be Indiana Jones so bad when I was a kid. I had a hat and a whip. That was a huge part of my childhood: being something else. Not for any traumatic reasons; I just loved performing. I was a very shy kid, though, so I never did anything in front of people. I just did it with my brothers and sisters and parents.

I grew up always watching Saturday Night Live and Abbot & Costello and Laurel & Hardy and The Carol Burnett Show. My family loved to laugh. I think I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh in my circle of friends. In the late 80’s I’d get out a video camcorder that weighed as much as I did and my friends and I would shoot skits.

What's the best advice you've received?

Don't be afraid. Fear is the number one killer of dreamers aged 18-36.

Classy improv at dollar movie prices!

That's right, folks. You can come see CSz's Thursday night show, YELLOW #2, for as little as $1.50. Click on the coupon, print it off and bring it with you to one of our shows throughout March. Shows are Thursdays 8:00 pm. Call 801.377.9700 for more info.

Love Stinks. Don't choke on the fumes.

No Valentine? No problem. Spend Single Awareness Day with us this Thursday at 8:00 for a special YELLOW #2 show. We're putting on a special improv show about the highs and lows of dating and romance...or the lack thereof. Admission's only $3. Call 801.377.9700 for more info.

See CSz's Garrett & Matt in #Pound# 646!

CSz's Garrett Batty's Three Coin Productions produced the hilarious short #Pound# 646, which won both the Audience AND Jury awards at the 2008 LDS Film Fest's 24-hour Filmmaking Marathon! #Pound# 646 features Garrett, Matt Mattson and CSz alum Jake Suazo. Check it out!

February's Player of the Month -- Casey Nelson!

Casey's been with CSz since 2000, making her one of our veteran players. Fun, funny and always willing to take risks, Casey is an amazing artist who works full time for Disney designing video games and recently illustrated her first childrens' book, The Boy Who Ate America. She took a little time out of her insanely hectic schedule to answer a few questions for us.

How did you get involved with CSz?

Zach Coder, a friend of mine who was a CSz player at the time, saw me trip at an FHE activity. I can't remember the details, but knowing me, after I tripped I probably bowed saying "Thank you, thank you very much." All I remember was that he said that was funny and that ComedySportz didn't have anyone who lacked grace. I fit the bill.

I still fall down a lot. Last night I went disco skating. It was crazy.

Beside your tripping prowess, have you had any prior experience with comedy?

I grew up a Navy Brat. I moved around a lot. . . 28 houses so far. I went to 6 different elementary schools and learned that kids liked funny kids who could draw. So I was the resident comedian on the playground. That, and the occasional bad date primed me for comedy.

What was your first initial experience with CSz? Did you see a show? Did you just know CSz players? Did you just do the workshops?

I would go with friends back in the day when CSz at the Hale Center Theater in Orem and thought there were some hotties in the troupe. Shortly after, I was in the workshops.

What were the workshops like for you? Scary? Fun? Strangely familiar?

A little of all of the above. Scary to sing on demand, fun to do scene work and guessing, and strangely familiar when the things I learned were clicking. I think for the most part, they were great for my confidence. I'm a much better speaker and teacher because of them.

What are some of your favorite memories of CSz?

So many! Like the time Rob Wessman, Trent Krummenacher and I were doing a scene and someone spilled a vase. The game within the game was all of us stepping over the vase... Also the time when Scott and Drew Champion sang "A Whole New World" one word at a time for a good five minutes--it was beautiful...When Martha Donbrosky and I were the last two on Story and we were the same brain... Trent being that British safari guy... Patrick Livingston whipping out his fake tooth after he got hit... Joseph's rubber boy... Oh, Matt Clayton's clearly audible laugh whenever we say something funny onstage... Getting kissed by 2 of the 3 Quinn brothers onstage... And always the warm-up games Hot Lava, Enemy Defender, Everyone But Montage.

Share with us a time you got a laugh or you did something you knew was brilliant.

Randy Tayler and I were in a musical. I was being forced to marry my uncle. All of the other problems were resolved and we were singing the closing number. . . The group ended with "Life is great, it's not that bad" and I rhymed it with "But I still have to marry the brother of my dad." End scene.

I can't think of too many brilliant moments of mine. One time, I came out with a perfect Australian accent and surprised myself and Curt Doussett. Never happened again.

You started performing in Provo, but when the Salt Lake club opened you performed there quite regularly. (The SL club closed in 2006.) What was the difference between the Provo club and the SL club?

In Provo, I was one of the new kids for a long time. In Salt Lake, I was considered a veteran. It was cool being in both situations; one was such a learning experience and the other allowed me to develop those skills and help others. That, and the fact that it only took me a few minutes to get to the Salt Lake Club was nice. Provo is quite a field trip.

What's it like now when you perform in Provo?

There are a lot of new players I haven't really worked with who seem like they're a lot of fun. . . So, I'm a veteran and a girl. It's a lot more relaxed for me now than before because I'm more confident in myself, the other players, and the games.

Do you think it's harder for females to do improv? Why or why not?

Hmm. Tough question. I think women are as funny as men. We just have to do different things to get a laugh. Women don't get laughed at when we put on a mustache and trousers but every time a man dons a wig and muumuu, he's hilarious. We have different ammo. I can't tell you what it is though. Trade secret.

Have you ever had a time where you were like, this is it. I'm quitting?

Yes. I was performing every weekend along with working two other jobs. It stopped feeling fun and felt like work. I left for a while, but never quit. . . But I'm back now. It's fun again.

What gets your creative juices flowing?

Diet Coke. Disneyland. A good kiss by a non-creepy boy. New shoes. Fitting into a pair of pants that I couldn't fit into the month earlier. Any song by the Shins.

Why do you do ComedySportz?

At first I did CSz because it was fun. Now, I've realized that not only is it fun, but it helps me a lot with the other things I do in life. Performing wipes away any public speaking fears one may have and the games keep me sharp so I can write and stay clever. I notice a big difference when I'm not performing.

ComedySportz's BATTLE OF THE SEXES!

It's Mars vs. Venus--the winner pays for dinner! Come to ComedySportz on Friday February 8 and Saturday February 9 for the BATTLE OF THE SEXES! It's guys vs. girls in an improvisational battle royale. Shows are at 8:00 and 10:15 both nights. You can make reservations in advance online or call the ComedySportz office (801.377.9700, M-Th 10-5, Fri/Sat 10-6:30).

Yellow #2 Returns to 8:00

Starting this Thursday, January 17, YELLOW #2 returns to its original 8:00 time slot. It's still an hour long show, it's still $3, and, most importantly, it's still the most creative and funny show in Utah Valley!

January's Player of the Month: Randy Tayler!

Randy's been with ComedySportz since 1999, when CSz was still gaining traction in Provo. Funny, clever, and wildly inventive, Randy works as a web programmer and owner of SingleSaints.com. (Although he's steeped in the online singles scene, he's married and the proud father of two daughters.) We recently got to interview Randy. Enjoy!

Where did you grow up?

Sarasota, Florida. Hate the place, though.

Why?

Roaches. Heat. Humidity, Ubiquitous old people. But roaches mostly.

How did you end up in Provo?

BYU. Do I need to expound on that?

Nah. Tell us about your comedic history.

I had some friends urge me to audition for the Garrens Comedy Troupe at BYU back in 1993. I went to the auditions, and almost walked out. I sure didn’t feel like I up to par. But I was wrong! I got to perform in their weekly sketch & improv shows, took a two-year break to sample Argentine cuisine, and resumed performing with them in 1996.

Before Garrens, did you have any comedic inklings?

I performed in some comedy plays in high school, and I tried to distract my calculus teacher from my wrong answers my drawing cartoons on my homework. Mostly angry devil faces. Don’t get me started on Calculus.

Did you leave Garrens and go right to CSz?

I don't really remember. There may have been some overlap.Lemme ask Rehearsing sketches and memorizing lines with Garrens was a lot of work. Improv required practice, but it was always new. I'm still great friends with everybody from my Garrens days, so there was no major fallout.

What is one of your most memorable improv moments—good or bad?

My worst bomb ever -- one that almost made me quit comedy forever more -- was at the Provo High auditorium for a sold-out crowd. I stepped up to deliver a joke for the game "185", and made a pun based on Hellman's Mayonnaise. I didn't know that a) Hellman's isn't very popular here in the West, and b) saying "What the hell, man?" was going to offend the audience. There were audible gasps, and I think there was even a tumbleweed that came through. In retrospect, the joke wasn't funny even if you got it.

What do you like about CSz?

Getting to laugh at everything that goes on in a show -- I think I enjoy it more than the audience sometimes, because I know the players personally.

What inspires you creatively?

I think my survival instinct is a prime source of creative inspiration. I have to find meaning in things, even if it means inventing the meaning myself; I cope with life by twisting what I see just slightly and laughing at it.

I remember joking with my older brother just after he delivered his eulogy for my father. As we tried to silence our snickering, it made us laugh harder, because we were at a FUNERAL, for heavens' sake, for our own dear FATHER! I like to think Dad was laughing, too (though in reality he was probably shaking his head, disappointed).

Why do you do comedy?

Comedy is one of the only things I'm really good at. When I come home from work as a programmer, the only stuff worth sharing with my wife are the good jokes I've made during the day.

Why do you keep doing comedy?

There's such satisfaction from making people laugh. It's like you can control them. In my quest for world domination, laughter seems like the best way to exert mind-control over the masses.

Yellow #2 Returns!

Our Thursday night show returns on January 10! YELLOW #2 is 60 minutes of long-form improv from our star ComedySportz players. It's a different show than our Main Event Shows, and seeing how the Hollywood writers' strike has pretty much eliminated ALL must-see tv, come give YELLOW #2 a try! Admission is only $3 and no reservations are needed.