Joey Scoma

Player Since: 2008

Day Job: Provo City
Hometown:

Favorite thing about CSz:

When no one is looking you like to:

Biggest Influences:

Best Advice for People who want to learn improv: I took the beginner workshop that fall and worked my way into the player practices. I've been performing at ComedySportz Provo for 2 years this November!

What brought you to Comedysportz? In summer 2007, I attended a Yellow # 2 show with a lovely young lady named TeAnna and I fell in love...with ComedySportz

Do you have a background in music, play any instruments? I don't have any musical training but love musical improv especially Rogers and Hammersing.

Which musical game is your favorite? Rogers and Hammersing.

People come see you at ComedySportz when they want to be entertained... what do you do to be entertained? The only thing that's more entertaining to me than ComedySportz Provo is a casual conversation with my siblings. They're all a bunch of pants-peeing crack-ups.

Lots of the players here at ComedySportz are also involved in acting and film are you? There have been a couple opportunities to perform in community theater (A Flickering), a short film festival (When We're Helping We're Happy) and for the LDS Church YouTube ad (Becoming Provident Providers).

When was your first inkling that you were funny? The first time I made a captive audience laugh was in kindergarten for parent's-night. I added a few extra 'you's to the end of "Skinny Marinky Dinky Dink" and the crowd went wild. In 5th grade I started doing stand-up behind the portable class rooms during recess. Word caught on and soon the entire school was sitting at my feet. I didn't know half the references I used and neither did my audience by they all laughed anyway. I did impersonations of Bill Clinton and I even had to deal with hecklers (like John Michael Harris). The recess ladies worked as crowd control. Now I'm in ComedySportz!

Have you ever been scared on stage? I felt stage fright before every show for a year.

Is there anything else you want us to know?

It is such a huge honor to perform with my fellow players. I'm funnier today because of them.

September Player of the Month!!!! Christopher Robin Miller

Player Since: It's been a while... 2003?
Day Job: Actor, Director
Hometown: West Peabody, Massachussetts

Favorite thing about CSz: Wearing sweats on stage. SO COMFY!

When no one is looking you like to: Shower

Biggest Influences: The Muppets, Carol Burnette, Jack Lemmon

Best Advice for People who want to learn improv:

Don't try to be funny and SCENE DRILL!

What prior stage/performing experience did you have before joining ComedySportz

I have been a professional singer, actor and dancer for almost 3 decades before ComedySportz. I did a lot of Musical Theatre and some television as a young man.

I started studying improvisation in 1998 working with Lincoln Hoppe in The Garrens and thenThe Skinny Lincolns for about 5 years.

What brought you to Comedysportz?

We were grandfathered into CSz when Lincoln moved to LA.

It seems you always shine during the musical improvs. Do you have a background in music, play any instruments?

I play enough piano, guitar, bass, saxophone and drums to look like I know what I'm doing for about 5 minutes

Which musical game is your favorite?

Actually, Musical Chairs. It has the potential to be amazing or really suck!

People come see you at ComedySportz when they want to be entertained... what do you do to be entertained?

I like to speed-walk past old people and small children. It makes me feel superior.

Lots of the players here at ComedySportz are also involved in acting and film. Are you?

Yep.

When was your first inkling that you were funny?

I was always amazed at funny people. When I was young I used to just steal material from Sesame Street, Sony and Cher and SNL.

When I told somebody something that was really upsetting to me and they laughed,

I discovered that I just had to be real and most people will laugh at how ridiculous I am.

Have you ever been scared on stage?

I call that "That old familiar feeling."

Is there anything else you want us to know?

I like Gift certificates to The Cheesecake Factory. They're like prison money.

August Player of the Month

Player Since: Summer 2008
Day Job: 6^th grade school teacher
Hometown: Orem, Utah

Favorite thing about CSz: It’s a different performance and experience every time you play

When no one is looking you like to: hit kittens

Biggest Influences: my wife and kids—they keep me going in everything I do. Oh, and Leonardo Dicaprio.

Best Advice for People who want to learn improv: Do not be afraid to fail in what you try and do. Go with what is natural and don’t try to bring the funny. The only time I am funny is when I am not thinking I am.

What prior stage/performing experience did you have before joining ComedySportz: Totally name dropping here, but I am a member of the Hale family and I have been on the stage since I could talk. At first it was required of all the grandkids, but eventually I learned to love it and I have been on stage ever since. I also teach the youth theater workshops at Hale Center Theater Orem.

What brought you to Comedysportz? I have been a long time friend of Curt Doussett and he convinced me to give it a try. I love him and hate him for it.

It seems you always shine during the musical improvs. Do you have a background in music, play any instruments? I shine in the music? That’s sweet—a lie, but still sweet. I was in an A cappella group in high school called “Men Without Pants.” We would perform in assemblies wearing tuxedo tops and boxer shorts. Not that manly of a memory.

Which musical game is your favorite? I love “Rosetta Song” because I can sing in gibberish. It covers up my suck.

People come see you at ComedySportz when they want to be entertained... what do you do to be entertained? I love reading a good book—young adult novels are my favorite (minus Twilight of course) and getting lost in a good movie. Just saw “Inception” and my mind still hurts. I love doing anything with my kids—they are always entertaining.

So, I've seen you play on the red and blue teams but also caught you in the zebra stripes a time or two? Yes, that is correct. Thank you for pointing that out.

Lots of the players here at ComedySportz are also involved in acting and film are you? As I mentioned before, I live at the Hale but also dabble in film here and there. I had small parts in “The R.M.,” “The Home Teachers,” and my claim to fame “The Buttercream Gang” as Gang Member Number 2.

When was your first inkling that you were funny? Still waiting for it.

Have you ever been scared on stage? Every time I perform. I think when you lose that fear you lose the rush of why you are doing it.

Is there anything else you want us to know? Yes.