ComedySportz Utah

Joey Scoma

2010-10-13T11:06:00.004-06:00

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

2010-09-01T16:51:00.003-06:00

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

2010-07-21T13:19:00.004-06:00

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.

2009-08-07T15:35:00.002-06:00

Player Since: 1999
Day Job: Scrapbook Supplies Salesman
Hometown: Orem, UT

Favorite thing about CSz: Ooh, I like the tortellini, but that's just me.

When no one is looking you like to: Sniff random objects

Biggest Influences: Bill Murray, Steve Martin, My Dad

Best Advice for People Who want to learn improv: Trust your instincts on stage and don't be a "you-know-what"-bag to other performers.

What prior stage/performing experience did you have before joining ComedySportz? Junior High School roles in 'Tom Sawyer', 'Joseph and the ATD', 'The Pied Piper', 'Tied to the Tracks', and 'Ducktails and Bobbysocks'.

What brought you to Comedysportz? Joseph Draschil and destiny

It seems you always shine during the musical improvs. Do you have a background in music, play any instruments? I've always loved choir. My first real exposure to music was when I learned to play trombone in Jr High. I'm obsessed with karaoke.

Which musical game is your favorite? Probably 'Greatest Hits' or 'Rogers & Hammersing', although 'Rosetta Song' is really growing on me.

People come see you at ComedySportz when they want to be entertained... what do you do to be entertained? Consume BYU sports, play with my iPhone, fishing, basketball, karaoke, Billy Joel, little brown packages tied up with string...uhh, what were we talking about?

So, I've seen you play on the red and blue teams but also caught you in the zebra stripes a time or two? I like to ref. To me, reffing is kind of like teaching the lesson in Elders Quorum. I enjoy it from time to time, but too much of it makes me nauseous...And sometime people fall asleep. Seriously though, it requires a little more thinking than I typically like to do on stage and sometimes it starves my insatiable ego.

Lots of the players here at ComedySportz are also involved in acting and film are you? I have never been in a real movie, and I don't aspire to do so. Screen acting isn't really my bag. I don't know. I guess Stage Improv is just kind of like my soul mate, you know? Everything else just falls a little short. Don't tell my wife I said that.

Is there anything else you want us to know? I have a wife, Katie, and two daughters, Lucy and Claire. We're expecting our third next Spring.

MARCH 2009 Player of the Month!

2009-03-04T19:10:00.004-07:00

Shaun Johnson

Player Since: April 2007
Day Job: Bus Driver
Hometown: Pleasant Grove, UT

Favorite thing about CSz: Having an outlet for my stupid thoughts

When no one is looking you like to: Pretend that the carpet is hot lava and I can't fall off my bed or I'll die.

Biggest Influences:
Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Jackson, my family and many close friends

Best Advice for People Who want to learn improv:

- Be "YOU the improvisor", not somebody else. Everyone has their style and will perform best if they embrace that.

What brought you to Comedysportz?

- I thought the shows were great and I realized that I was just as attention hungry as all the guys doing the shows...

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

- Yes, I love music. I play the guitar and I arrange acapella music sometimes. Most of my theater experience is with musicals and I really love a well-improvised song that makes the audience think, "That MUST have been planned!"

Which musical game is your favorite?

- I enjoy most of them. But I really like "Rodgers & Hammer-sing"

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

- Well doing Comedy Sportz is quite entertaining for the players, as well. But like most players, I love movies. And just the simple company of good friends.

So, I've seen you play on the red and blue teams but also caught you in the zebra stripes a time or two? Is playing harder or being the referee? Which do you like doing more?

- Both jobs have their challenges. Being a referee gives an interesting perspective on the show and I really enjoy it. But ultimately I enjoy playing more because I like getting involved in the improvs.

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

- I'm not into the whole film scene so much. I'm just going to school and trying to have a good time while I do it. As much as I would enjoy doing more film acting, it's just not my focus. We all have to follow our own destinies. It just happens that my destiny is Business Marketing with a Spanish minor...I feel depressed now...

Is there anything else you want us to know?

- When I was 4 years old, I was choking on a penny and my dad picked me up by the feet and shook me upside down til I spit it out. I almost died.

February 2009 Player of the Month!

2009-02-05T11:04:00.009-07:00

Jake Van Wagoner

Player Since: 2005
Day Job: Student
Hometown: Grand Junction Colorado
Favorite thing about CSz: Trying new things
When no one is looking you like to: smell the earth
Biggest influences: Matt Griffith and Jordan Huslig

How did you get involved with ComedySportz? I had friends that I was doing a play with that got me stuck in ComedySportz

Have you always wanted to be a entertainer? I honestly used to get thrown in the principles office every day from 1st-5th grade because i was crazy about making my class fellows laugh. SO yes.

In improv what style of games are your favorite to play (ie. musicals, guessing, scenes, etc.)? I love musical games the most probably but I also really enjoy just doing straight up free-range scenes. It is rewarding to get from the first line to the last line of a scene and make everything tie together.

So you like music? Who do you listen to? John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kansas, Led Zepplin, George Harrison, The Beatles, Josh Groban,

Do your improv skills enhance your day to day life? If so, in what way(s)? I love how much my improv skills help me. I am not a fake person by any means, but i enjoy adapting myself to the people i am talking to, and that helps a ton with improv.

We heard you are apart of the local film scene! If you could pick your dream job on a feature film what would it be? I am really shooting to become an actor, cliche? I know, but i am learning how to be a director also so if i suck at acting i can fall back on directing.

January Player of the Month: Mel B!

2009-01-05T15:28:00.009-07:00

Player Since: Feb 2003 (Off and on, since I was at grad school in Philly for a few years in there.)
Day Job: Speech-Language Pathologist, part time instructor in Theatre Dept. at BYU
Hometown: San Juan, PR (Believe it or not, I'm actually a quarter Puerto Rican.)
Favorite thing about CSz: The boyz and the laughs. I'm adding years to my life by the week.
When no one is looking you like to: Lick the bowl
Biggest influences: Miss Piggy, cuz she never gives up...c'mere, Kermie... Oh. And my mom.
Best Advice for People Who want to learn improv: Don't try to be funny. Focus on good improv skills like listening, responding, adding, etc. The funny'll come.

When did you first know you wanted to be involved with the theater?

I can remember saying in 2nd grade that when I grew up I wanted to be a famous singer or actress. Now I'm both!

You're a speech pathologist. Do any attributes of improv help you with your job and vice versa?

Oh, man, totally. I actually truly dislike planning, so it's really nice that doing things on the fly comes pretty easily. And in reality with a caseload of 85 kiddies and at least that many reports a week to write, who has time to plan? Occasionally, I'll also whip out an improv warm up like Zip Zap Zop to get my students' chops goin' and they love it.

Do you enjoy doing long form improv (like the Yellow #2 show) or short form (ComedySportz Main event) more? Why?

Oooh. Is this a trick question? Well, okay. You caught me. I came to CSz for the long form shows. I love 'em. Yum. Yum. I love building a story or just really sinking my teeth into a scene that could go for who knows how long. I love the patience and the creating and the who knows what's going to happen next. I also love the moments when we just all seem to be on the same wavelength, we listen, we follow, we give, we take, and brilliance occurs. It's truly delightful. I have to add, though, short form is awesome too. I think I was just intimidated by it in the beginning--the pressure to be funny FAST! But the truth is, if you just listen and respond by adding information, the funny just comes. I've never really considered myself a funny person.

In fact, I originally started doing improv 10 years ago because it was an audition I didn't have to prepare for* (see earlier comment re: distaste for preparation), not because I thought I was funny. I had no expectation of getting into the group*, which I did, but I had promised myself I'd go to any audition that came up to get more experience. It was way out of my comfort zone and my realm of thinking as an actor in training, but it worked. They picked me. Yay! And I LOVE doin' it.

*Sketch/Improv group called The Garrens at BYU

For every women improver at CSz there are seven men. What are the pro's and con's of usually being the only woman on stage?

Pro: The kisses. Con: The kisses. Pro: Less emotional who-ha (ladies, why are we so dramatic?). Con: Um...let me think for a min. Pro: A safe walk to my car after the show. Con: Well, I really can't think of any more cons, except maybe that since I rarely play with girls, when I do it's almost weird. Really, the boyz are great and I just love hangin' with them in and out of ComedySportz. They are delightfully talented people who know how to find the humor in life and share it with others. (The girls do too, I just don't get to see them as often!)

What is your favorite game and why?

Hmmm...so many to choose from... I think I'd have to say Acronym Panel. I just love character games and this one has the added challenge of finding acronyms that match that character. Yummy. It's like eating a juicy peach without a napkin--challenging, and you might drip a little on your shirt, but it sure does taste good.

Anything else you'd like to say?

Thanks for the love! Keep laughing and keep coming. Oh, and iphones are awesome. I just caught up with an old friend AND listened to an episode of This American Life without having to take my gloves off, while shoveling my driveway, with only the simple touch of one button. Beautiful.

Thanks, Mel B.

December Player of the Month: Travis Reynolds

2008-12-03T10:30:00.011-07:00

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

2008-12-02T14:11:00.007-07:00

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

2008-11-25T11:52:00.006-07:00

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

2008-11-20T11:01:00.005-07:00

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!

2008-11-10T10:40:00.006-07:00

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

2008-11-03T14:29:00.010-07:00

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!

2008-10-08T14:04:00.003-06:00

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

Halloween Shows 2008

2008-10-02T12:06:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-09-04T11:32:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-08-22T12:56:00.007-06:00

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!

2008-04-30T16:25:00.005-06:00

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!

2008-04-01T12:14:00.005-06:00

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!

2008-03-28T12:00:00.002-06:00

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!

2008-02-28T15:01:00.007-07:00

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!

2008-02-26T11:16:00.005-07:00

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.

2008-02-12T13:56:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-01-31T13:54:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-01-29T12:29:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-01-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-01-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-01-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-01-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

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.

December's Player of the Month: Drew Champion!

2007-11-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

He's a newbie, but a goodie. Drew Champion joined ComedySportz this past summer. In between performing at CSz, going to school full-time and working at the BYU Library, he's also a budding filmmaker who's worked on such films as "The RM," "Church Ball" and the upcoming "American Fork" starring Billy Baldwin. He's currently in post-production on a short film he directed, but somehow found time to talk to us. Enjoy.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada and in Orem.

What was it like growing up in Canada?

It was different than growing up here. I was only eleven when my family moved to Utah. I remember Canada being more racially diverse. I had Asian friends, East Indian friends, Polish friends, and Jewish friends…I’m sure I had at least one friend who was Jewish. My best friend was Lutheran.

I was also the youngest kid in my grade. The cutoff date in Edmonton was a lot later than it is here. But then moving here I was one of the oldest because I took sixth grade twice. Not because I failed, but because the cutoff date was earlier. I could have graduated from high school a year earlier, but that would have been really hard. I didn’t really learn much in Canada anyway.

Tell us about how you got involved with ComedySportz.

My brother, Scott, has done ComedySportz for like, forever. I’d always go with my friends. It was fun. I thought about doing the workshops and then my brother said not to because he thought I wouldn’t enjoy it and that it would be too hard. Then, kind of putting two and two together, I realized he regarded ComedySportz as his thing, which I can understand.

I finished high school, went to college; I would still go to a show every once in a while. I remember seeing Matt Mattson, Randy Tayler, Brett Merritt, Maclain Nelson, Jake Suazo, Patrick Livingston and Patrick Maravilla. Those guys were funny. Oh yeah, and my brother. And Curt Doussett.

I got back from my mission in the summer of 2005 and worked on a movie with Curt. He said that I should do the workshops. I got married in December of ’05. I didn’t start the workshops until February of this year. I had a blast! I finished the beginning workshops, I went to a few of the intermediate workshops, and my first shows were in May of this year.

I remember being really nervous for my first show. My parents were in the audience and they said my face was completely white. I was really scared! I remember being exhausted by the first show. It was really run, though.

What kind of things do you find funny?

I like stuff that just seems natural. I’m not a big fan of watching stand-up comedy. It’s funny—Brian Regan’s my favorite—but I kind of life more thematically funny stuff, where it’s being played out, like The Office. The really funny things are the stuff that just happens.

I think it’s funny when people get scared. I startle people at work all the time. I don’t know why I get such a kick out of scaring people. People even do it to me, and I love it!

I LOVE watching America’s Funniest Home Videos. Total guilty pleasure. I miss Bob Saget. One of my favorite videos on YouTube is the Panda Sneezing.

What's the one thing you've learned as a ComedySportz Player?

The less I TRY to be funny, the more funny I become.

Be an even BIGGER Big Shot with 2 for 1 admission!

2007-11-01T10:51:00.000-06:00

We're down to our final three shows of BIG SHOT KARAOKE, brought to you by Square Magazine! Come be part of our interactive singing game show and get 2 for 1 admission with this coupon!

Yellow #2 for 1!

2007-10-31T17:29:00.000-06:00

For the month of November you can get 2 for 1 admission to our Yellow #2 show! Click on this coupon and print it out and present it at the door. Shows are on November 1, 8, 15 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. (No show on November 22.)

November's Player of the Month: Kevin Lambert!

2007-10-31T16:58:00.000-06:00

Kevin's been with CSz for two years, and after a summer away in Puerto Rico, he's ready to get back on the comedy bandwagon. Here's our interview with him.

You have been a player since…?

November 2005.

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

I did theater in high school. I did a couple shows down at the Center Street Musical Theater in Provo while I was doing the workshops at ComedySportz.

How did you get involved with ComedySportz?

Years and years and years ago I did theater games in one of my drama classes in high school. I loved it. I wasn’t very good, but I loved it. And I remember watching the old British version of Whose Line Is It, Anyway? I was always impressed with people who could do improv.

Then I moved to Provo to go to school. I went to a couple of ComedySportz shows just amazed that people could do that kind of stuff. I signed up for the workshops in 2003 and loved it. Stuck with it through the intermediate class, even though I had to bow out for six months because of school.

Did you ever have a moment where you couldn’t believe you were actually performing in a ComedySportz show?

Doing improv has been a lifelong goal for me. The first night I played, I was probably a nervous wreck. I did okay…I would hate to see a video of myself performing that night. I remember being on stage and just being shocked that I was there. I had the greatest time. It was one of those moments where you get to finally check something off on that lifetime to-do lists. I’ve loved it ever since.

I still get nervous. When I’m driving to the club to do a show I get this nervous, little bit awkward feeling like, what’s going to happen tonight? I love performing here, and that’s all there is to it.

What is your favorite ComedySportz game?

I have this strange love for Chain Murder. I don’t know why. I think it’s great. Especially when you have an audience volunteer who is absolutely lost. It’s one of the funniest things to watch.

What is your least favorite game?

Mousetrap.

While you were in Puerto Rico, your brother Jeff started performing with ComedySportz. He has since moved to California for military training.

Jeffrey and I are very similar. We’ve always loved improv. We used to go check out shows together and stuff. Then I started doing it, and I would tell him about it, and he’d come watch shows. I convinced him to do the workshops.

One of my regrets is that we never got to play in a show together. But someday we will.

We're in the news!

2007-10-03T11:03:00.000-06:00

The Provo Daily Herald ran a big fat story about ComedySportz today! Check it out!

October's Player of the Month: Greg Kyte!

2007-10-02T11:04:00.000-06:00

It took 30 years for October's player of the month to start pursuing his dream of performing comedy. And now he's a regular fixture on the CSz stage--starring in our Main Event and Yellow #2 shows--as well as an up-and-coming stand-up comedian who's making quite the impression on Utah audiences. We sat down with Greg Kyte for a little Q&A. Enjoy!

Do remember the first time you wanted to do comedy?

When I was in elementary school I was in a gifted program, so basically I was in a nerd factory. All the other nerd kids were hilarious and I wasn’t. I thought, I wanna be funny like the funny kids.

Unlike the majority of the population in Provo, you are not LDS. How did you end up here?

I came to Provo to go to school at BYU. I came to BYU to help foster a non-LDS Christian club on campus. Not like “Future Protestors of the Temple” club, but just a support system for non-LDS Christian students at BYU. It felt very adventurous to me: a non-Mormon going to a Mormon school. My first semester at BYU was so fun. I lived in Heritage Halls with some awesome guys. We had a blast.

You didn’t even start pursuing comedy until you were 30. How did that happen?

I hung out a lot with my friend Robert Dixon, and he brushed off a lot on me—his style of funny—and in high school I had opportunities—with him and sometimes without him—to do things in front of the student body. I did a lot of that emceeing kind of stuff. I loved being in front of people. I gave a lot of speeches to the entire student body that were very well received.

After high school I wanted to do [comedy], but sometimes is hard to overcome that inertia of where do you go, what do you do, where do you start? A couple of opportunities came up and then I got busy, and it was too easy to go, “I’m kinda’ busy,” which I think was half a cop-out because I was scared.

When I worked at Dixon Middle School I was teaching a couple of classes with low-end kids in terms of their math skills. Every week we had what I called “Motivation Mondays” where we wouldn’t do any math. Sometimes I’d have guest speakers come in, sometimes I’d show them a motivational movie, and sometimes I’d just talk to them about some kind of motivational theme. So much of it revolved around “do well in school and you can pursue your dreams.” You can do that so long before you go, “uh, I’m not doing that!” That was the breaking point for me. I was telling these kids to figure out what they really want to do and go do it, and I knew what I really wanted to do and I was just sitting on my butt.

You also do stand-up comedy. Which did you start first: stand-up or improv?

My very first standup was in July of 2002 and then I started the beginning (ComedySportz) workshops in September of 2002.

What are the differences between stand-up and improv?

Stand-up is rehearsed. There’s a routine. With my routine I’m able to switch it around, switch parts and change wording. It’s not so much memorized word for word, but it’s definitely planned out. There are parts where I know I have to say things the right way to consistently get the laugh.

I think stand-up comedy is like improv that sticks. Something you said that was funny to somebody else or some kind of premise that you just started thinking about and your brain makes the connection and it ends up working.

In Improv you’re making connections and it’s the spontaneous funny. In improv there’s something so spontaneous and organic and natural. It’s interesting because it comes full circle: the way to keep my stand-up funny is to relate it to the audience, the situation—somehow tie things in with the here and now. [Improv and stand-up] definitely feed off each other although they’re very different creatures.

How long were you in the workshops until you started performing with CSz?

Three years. Mike Bailey started his workshops after me but started playing long before me. But he wouldn’t leave the club. Any time the doors were open he’d be there. As much as I wanted to do that, I had a daughter born prematurely so I took six months where I didn’t do anything with CSz.

What’s your best advice for anyone interested in doing comedy?

If you want to do something, start pursuing it.

BIG SHOT KARAOKE! brought to you by Square Magazine

2007-09-17T11:33:00.000-06:00

Our new singing game show BIG SHOT KARAOKE premieres this week! We did a test run of the show last week and it went great! It's going to be a lot fun. (Imagine a cross between "American Idol" and "The Price Is Right" with a ComedySportz twist.)

You're probably wondering how the show works. It's simple:

1. If you're in a singin' mood, you'll be handed a numbered ping pong ball and a request form. Browse through the song catalog.

2. When you know what song you want to sing, write your name, song title/number, and the number on your ping pong ball on your request form.

3. Drop your ping pong ball in the BIG SHOT! Bucket.

4. Singers will be randomly chosen from the BIG SHOT Bucket to perform.

5. If you're chosen to sing, get up on stage and show us what you've got!

(Due to time constraints, or if you're boring, songs may be cut short.)

6. You then will be judged by our panel of music experts who will give you feedback. (This is where it might get a little scary...for you!)

7. Near the end of the night the judges will select two of the performers to compete in a final round. The finalists will then sing another song each. The audience will then decide who is the Big Shot for the night! (There will be prizes for the two finalists. Of course, the Big Shot's prize will be slightly cooler than the runner-up. We're just saying.)

8. The night's Big Shot will be invited back to our Final Show of the season on November 15. All past winners will compete to become the Biggest Big Shot!

If you come to the show and you don't get chosen to perform, you still have a chance to win a prize: we'll have a drawing near the end of the show for something nifty.

So come and have fun with us on Thursdays at 9. Admission's only $5--that's cheaper than a movie ($8) , Arby's 5 for $5.95 deal, or a Kia Sorento ($20,650).

If you have any questions about BIG SHOT KARAOKE, contact the ComedySportz Office: 801.377.9700 or cszutah@gmail.com.

Q&A With Mike "Viper" Bailey!

2007-08-28T16:24:00.000-06:00

Born in New York state (Goshen, to be exact) and raised in Dillon, Montana ("one of those places where you even know the bums’ names. Andy was the main bum"), Mike "Viper" Bailey joined ComedySportz in 2003 and has proven to be one of our star performers. He's September's Player of the Month. Recently we picked his brain for our blog. Enjoy!

When was your first inkling that you were funny?

My dad’s always been a joker; he’s always been kind of a funny guy. He teaches Leisure and Hospitality at a college and has done corporate parties, so games and goofing around has always been a part of my life. I started acting when I was in 8th grade. I did it all throughout high school.

How did you start with ComedySportz?

I went to BYU studying Mathematics. I realized after a while that I was getting to be a really huge nerd. Friday nights I was sitting at home studying abstract algebra, realizing that this was my life.

I actually started college as a Theatre major but stopped that after one semester. I was becoming a huge dork. I was okay with that to an extent, but I wanted to do comedy again. I looked to find what comedy groups there were in town. I contacted ComedySportz, found out there was a workshop starting the next week; I had never even been to a show.

What were the workshops like?

It was really fun. I was okay with not becoming a player. I got to the point where I assumed I was never going to be a player. I was really surprised when (the owners) invited me to play because I enjoyed doing the workshops. Once I started doing the workshops I started going to every show. Not long after that I worked the door every single show, and then I started doing Mr. Voice every now and then. I just loved being there.

What is the difference between being funny and doing improv?

I think it’s pretty hard to teach people to be funny. It’s something so innate. Some people have it, some people don’t. I think it can be nourished, but there’s no set formula. In improv there are formulas. There are skills and things like that. And no amount of funny can compensate for lack of those skills.

It’s like Euclid. Euclid was the father of geometry, and King Ptolemy was trying to learn geometry and complaining that it was so complicated. He asked Euclid if there was an easier way, and Euclid responded that there’s no king’s road to geometry. I don’t think there’s a king’s road to improv, or a comedian’s road. You have to learn those skills. Just being funny isn’t going to make up for it. So much of improv is teamwork, and being able to involve yourself with this team, because you’re nothing without the team.

Have you ever been scared on stage?

My first show. I was terrified. I remember our first game was “What Are You Doing?” and I remember thinking, wait a minute. You don’t need to be nervous. You know how to do this. The only time I can remember being nervous again after that was right before I performed at the ComedySportz National Tournament. It was one shot; people were going to be judging me.
I’m not afraid of failing in front of people because it’s going to happen. I’m not scared of it, I just don’t enjoy it. I’ve failed too many times to get nervous about failing.

What’s your favorite thing about ComedySportz?

One of my favorite things is definitely the companionship. I think some of my best friends are people from ComedySportz. There’s a lot of connection and history there. We’ve had to interact with one another in a certain way that we can predict what’s going to happen. Regardless of whether the audience enjoys the show you can enjoy the companionship and enjoy the things you are creating on stage. I love that.

What do you get out of doing improv comedy?

I love making people laugh. I just really enjoy seeing people happy and laughing. There’s a thrill to it. I love ComedySportz, but I also love the Yellow #2 show, where I have the ability to create these stories. I’ve always wanted to be an author, make movies, things like that—I’m just not willing to take the time to do so. The Yellow #2 show is an opportunity for me to do those stories without all the time and effort it would take to write a novel.

Who are your biggest comedic influences?

I like smart comedy. I like comedy that makes you think. I don’t know if I have influences necessarily… I love political comedy. I love John Stewart, Dennis Miller. I would like to be Garrison Keillor: his ability to tell a story and make you care about it but at the same time make you laugh. I feel that the jokes aren’t all that funny, but it’s because you’re so emotionally invested in that it become so much funnier. It’s the same way a funny story about a friend is far funnier that a story about someone you’ve never met. I think he’s brilliant.

What would be your two cents for people who want to do ComedySportz?

Practice. A ton.

Beginner Improv Workshop begins October 2!

2007-08-21T10:39:00.000-06:00

So you go to a ComedySportz Main Event or Yellow #2 show and you think, hey, I could that! Or you want to overcome your fear of public speaking. Or you're looking for a new way to (re)energize your creativity. Or you just want to have fun.

There are a million (okay, ten) reasons why people take our Beginner Improv class. The "why" doesn't matter. It's the "when," "where" and "how" that does.

Our next class starts on Tuesday, October 2 from 7:30-9:30 pm and runs every Tuesday until October 30. Cost is $90 and payment is due at first class. Classes are taught by some of CSz Utah's best performers. Call 801.377.9700 or email cszutah@gmail.com for more info.

This is Our Blog!

2007-08-10T18:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome fans!

This is our new blog which will keep you up to date on all the awesome goings-on at ComedySportz Utah! We have a lot of new stuff coming up in these next few months (new shows, special events) so check back often for what's going on with Utah's #1 Destination for Comedy!