Will You Marry Me?

January 7, 2013 by

The time:  New Year’s Eve.

The place:  The 7:30 ComedySportz match at the Athenaeum.

The plot:  Our stage manager, Denise, hands over a note from a Loyal Fan (we’ll call him Man on Knee) who would like us to pull his girlfriend (we’ll call her Lucky Lady) up on stage.  The instructions are for us to “give her a hard time.”

(Now this happens a lot at ComedySportz matches.  Folks will call in and tell us, “It’s _____’s birthday.  Make sure you give him a hard time.” We’ll do our best to either point out the celebration, sing a birthday song, and sometimes pull a volunteer onto the field to participate in a game.  But rarely do we give people a hard time.  We want them to be comfy.)

But then came further intentions from Denise and Tracy, who took the note in the first place:  Man on Knee wanted to propose to Lucky Lady.  So we were not only encouraged to give her a hard time, but we had to get them both up on the field so he could propose in front of 200 people.  Would we do it?  Of course!  Challenge accepted.

So as a group, we decided to play the game of Casanova.  It works like this:  audience volunteers sit center stage, with the red team lined up on one side of them, and the blue team lined up on the other.  Each team then delivers a pick-up line based on an audience suggestion, one word at a time.  (Example.  Suggestion is Play-Doh. Red team delivers: “Go. Ahead. Baby. Make. My. Clay.” Blue team delivers: “Girl. I. Am. Putty. In. Your. Hands.”)  Then the volunteers choose which team was more convincing.  Ref Rick planned to ask for a couple from the audience who would be willing to play a game up on stage.  We devised a plan to play a few rounds, and then on round three, either Todd or I (the captains) would challenge Man on Knee to do a better job of “picking up” Lucky Lady, and that would be Man on Knee’s cue to sweep Lady off her feet into Forever Land.

The problem:  we didn’t know what Man on Knee or Lucky Lady looked like; we only knew their table number.  Luckily, their table was down front.  Unluckily, there were two couples sitting at the table.  Hmm.  Okay then, since Man on Knee is in on this, he should kinda take the lead and volunteer himself and his Lucky Lady, right?  Right?  Well…

The time for the game arrived.  Ref Rick planted himself close to the table in question, and asked for a couple.  Table 7 didn’t make a peep.  A few people in the back of the room raised their hands, but NO!  We couldn’t pick those people!  Rick asked again.  Silence.  It was getting weird. One of the young women at the table pointed out the couple sitting with her.  Great!  I jumped on it and said, “Oh, this woman is pointing out this couple.” We all assumed that she had pointed out the soon-to-be-engaged couple!

They come up on stage, sit down, and introduce themselves.  Their names are not Man on Knee and Lucky Lady.

And time stops for a moment when all eight players and one ref silently realize that this is not the couple.  Lucky Lady, having no idea what was going on, volunteered her friends!  We CSzers, having no idea what was going on, assumed that these were the right people!  We then commenced to talking to each other, out of the sides of our mouths, lips barely moving, “This isn’t the couple.  Wrong people. What do we do?” all the while laughing and joking with the WRONG COUPLE.

Ref Rick played it cool.  He played a few rounds with the couple onstage, then announced, “And now let’s get another couple!”  He ushered the wrong ones off, and he basically demanded the other couple from Table 7 join us onstage.  We breathed a sigh of relief.  This was the right couple! We played a couple of rounds, and after a few jokes, Todd challenged Man on Knee accordingly…

….and then waited….

….and waited…

Finally, Man on Knee asked for Todd’s gold jacket.  Todd gave it up to him.  I took off my gold spangled sweater and gave it to Lucky Lady.  And after pacing a bit, Man on Knee got down on said knee and pulled out a ring.  Lucky Lady was completely blindsided.  She said yes with no hesitation.  And the place went nuts.

Hard time?  Ha.  More like fantastic time.  Happy New Year, everyone!

Proposal

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Ha! Ha! Happy New Year!

December 7, 2012 by

Another New Year’s Eve sitting at home with the kids, ordering pizza and watching whatever Times Square special might be on the tube, only to fall asleep at 11:45 and wake up to the children screaming and blowing horns in your face.

“Happy New Year, Dad!!” *Noisemakers making noise*

“…wha…?  Happy New Yezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….”

“Dad?….Dad?….Wake up!” *Oh sweet new year, the noisemakers again*

No way!  Not this year!  CSz Indy is taking the show down Mass Ave to the Athenaeum for a huge New Year’s Eve night out!  Two shows on December 31st will ring in the new year with super-sized fun in a super-sized theatre.  The 7:30 performance will end with a countdown to 9:00pm.  It may not be midnight in Indy yet, but it’s midnight in Greenland, so we’re celebrating for that country!  Then the SUPER SWEET 10:30 show will end with a countdown to midnight!  Both shows include a show, hats, noisemakers, and a sparkling juice toast!  Not into the juice? There’s a bar available so you can clink your glasses the boozy way.

Just call the theatre at (317) 951-8499 or go to our website to order seats.  Tickets are $15.00 for students and seniors, $20.00 for adults!  See you there!

You know you wanna come party with us. Like it’s 2013. Because it will be.

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Really Big Shoooooooooow!

November 16, 2012 by

Remember when Ed Sullivan would say “We’ve got a really big shoooooow for you tonight”?  …..No?  …… Well, here’s this:

Now, for those of you NOT familiar with Ed Sullivan and his introductions, here’s a fun fact.  ComedySportz Indianapolis does remote shows all over Indiana, and sometimes out of state!  Remote shows are sometimes four hours away (like one coming up in Evansville after Thanksgiving), and sometimes right down the street.  Just last week, CSz did a show for nearly 300 people at the Athenaeum theatre just down the street!  The Edmond Memorial High School band came all the way from Oklahoma to be here!  (Okay, they were here for a national band competition, but let’s pretend it was JUST FOR COMEDYSPORTZ!)

Here’s Field Ref Erin, ready for the attach of suggestions.  (That’s right, when the crowd is that large, we have two referees to keep the peace.)

Quick! Gimme an occupation and something that starts with K!

Big shows and remotes are always a good time.  The players all get information about the groups beforehand, whether it’s catchphrases they use, rivals or competitors, names of authority figures, quirks and traits, anything goes.  Then we work the suggestions into our scenes and games so it’s a custom-made show.  We blew this audience’s minds with our knowledge of the inside scoop.

THAT is a really big shoe.

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Live on the Clairewaves.

October 23, 2012 by

My iPhone alarm was beep-booping at me.  I rolled over in bed and looked at the time:  4:30 AM.  Time to go to work.

Such an early time might make you think I have a side job as a doughnut maker.  Or a paperboy.  Perhaps a barista?  Nope, I was gonna be on the radio.

We’re pretty dumb.

Will Pfaffenberger, known as “Producer Will” to the Indianapolis masses who listen to The Smiley Morning Show on 99.5WZPL asked me to fill in for a couple of shows while the two ladies who host with Smiley were both absent.  Will and I are close friends, having joined ComedySportz Indianapolis at the exact same time  (Fall of 2004), and being founding members of two other comedy groups: the now-defunct longform group Fun Dumpster and the not-at-all defunct sketch group  Three Dollar Bill Comedy.  I had been on the Smiley Morning Show with $3B before, promoting upcoming shows, and so I knew it would be fun.  Especially  because Will would be there to help keep conversation flowing between Dave Smiley and me.  I was informed that I was to be the “voice of reason” on the show…which is hard when I can riff with Will for hours about dumb topics.  But sure, sure I’ll do it!  I will be the voice of (semi) reason!

I was excited.  I like new challenges in safe surroundings.  I had never talked on a radio show for four hours, let alone for four hours at the crack of dawn.  I’m a morning person, but being up, at ‘em, and witty was a new thing for me.  Knowing Will and Smiley had the reigns, while all I had to do was chime in here and there and read the news, was comforting.  My improv background has me prepared to go into just about any new situation, and man, was I grateful for it during those two mornings on the radio.

Doing a live show all morning long definitely makes for some crazy moments.  Sometimes you need the headphones, sometimes you don’t.  Sometimes you (okay, I) would keep them on and think something is live when really it’s being taped for five minutes into the future and sometime you maybe say something embarassing into the microphone.  At one point, Will recorded me saying something, then went over to a computer and created sound effects for a game later in the hour, while Smiley and I talked to callers, or I read the news.  Then Will would bring me new things to read and Smiley would say, “Those stories were too long, just cut them down.  Okay, here we go”, and before I had a chance to even mark the paper, I was reading aloud and editing the stories as I went along.  We also witnessed two on-air, surprise proposals (they both said yes) and drank some champagne and played a game where I rejected dudes who called in and tried to win tickets to a concert by using pickup lines on me.  You know, the usual.

Believe me, I used every inch of that improv experience that I have. I had the best time.  It was refreshing to try something completely new to me.  I realize as I get older, and I fall into my routine of daily life,  I don’t have the opportunity to just jump into new experiences.  To just say yes, like those lovely confused brides. It’s one of the basic principles of improv, to just say “yes, okay, here we go.”  I’m glad I did it.  It kickstarted a desire to be more spontaneous and take on challenges that I know I can do but might be too nervous to try.

Here’s the best part:  I’m doing it again this coming Friday, October 26th.  Show starts at 5AM, and it’s live from 6-10.  I hope you’ll listen. You can click right here to have fun with me.  Yes, okay, here we go.

 

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A Christmas Carol UNSCRIPTED starts Friday 11/25!

November 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again where we bring you the holiday classic: “A Christmas Carol”: UNSCRIPTED. Where we tell you the cautionary tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, and more based on audience suggestions.

This show is for adults 18 ages and up or with a valid fake ID. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased through this website or through the ComedySportz theatre box office and 317-951-8499.

“A Christmas Carol”: UNSCRIPTED will play every Friday at 10pm, November 25th through December 23rd

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A Final Look at Why We Do ComedySportz

November 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In many studies that look at this kind of thing, public speaking is the number one fear of human beings. Add on the pressures of making things up on the fly and trying to be funny…and you might wonder why it is ComedySportz actletes choose to do what they do. If only there was some sort of comprehensive list of ComedySportz players and why they love improv…

Great news! See below…

Alli Vollmer

I do ComedySportz because in all the imaginary worlds I create or take part in on stage is where I find my true self. In real people world, I am censored, small, and I tend to blend in. In make-em-ups land, I’m nerdy, outrageous, ridiculous, supportive, witty, and fearless. This is the part of me that the audience celebrates and I celebrate when I do improv. Also, I have no choice. No seriously. I mean, no, wait, I love ComedySportz. Do not call the police.

Corey Jefferson

I do improv because I don’t know how to not do improv.  Any time I step away from it for too long, I don’t feel right.  It’s like something’s missing.  Doing improv is integral to the proper functioning of every other part of my life.  The skills that you learn through improv translate to all other everyday interactions.  We are all going to die much too soon and the abilities of thought, feeling, and experience are gifts too often taken for granted.  In light of this, the only appropriate thing to do is to savor it all and enjoy every minute of it.  Improv helps you to stay in the moment, which is good since this moment is really all we have.  As far as the plane on which we exist is concerned, the past is just shadows of thoughts and the future really doesn’t exist, it’s just an abstract concept.  Improv teaches you to be fluid and flexible, to become whatever you need to become for the moment at hand.  It teaches you to adapt and change to make the most of every situation without fear of judgment or making an ass out of yourself.  And while performing improv I can sometimes achieve, for lack of better phrasing, a religious experience.  We have called it ‘group mind,’ but there are times when energy is flowing freely between performers and audience and it really feels like we’ve attained a higher level of functioning or being, like we’ve somehow tapped into something deeper and we’re just conduits for this wondrous thing flowing through us.

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Week 8: It’s The Big Show

November 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Level III class ends with a performance for family and friends. But first…there some preparations to be done. We went over the logistics of the show…how we would be announced, how we would enter, where we would sit…all of the little details that keep a show going. I can’t speak for the rest of the class, but I thought it was fun to set up the practical parts of the show as well.

As the audience began to come in, we went to the dressing room and did about 25 minutes of warm-ups. The room was full of nerves, excitement and support. One of my favorite parts of the night happened just a minute before the show. Ed brought us all into a huddle and went over some fundamentals from our classes…and ended with “have fun.” It was nice to have one more encouraging group moment before we went on stage.

For the past seven weeks, we had only been performing for each other. It was nice because it was a supportive group that was all there for the same goal of getting better. But…there is something about a large, live crowd that just forces you to bring more energy as a performer.

One nice touch was that ComedySportz did everything it could to turn this into a truly professional show. We had someone running sound, they were serving food and Ed served as host. It really gave it the feel of one of the weekend performances which, again, was good for our energy level.

I can’t realistically give you a play-by-play of the show, but I can tell you it was a ton of fun and very gratifying. It was everything we had been working toward for two months. I don’t really feel that it’s my place to try to tell you how I personally did, but I can tell you that the others were incredible. They were on their game, very funny…and I would not be surprised at all to see any or all of them as regular weekend performers in the future. I can also tell you with confidence that I feel the show we put on would have satisfied a paying ComedySportz audience…and as a performance-level class, that is the goal. 

Looking back on the class, I’m very proud of what I personally, and what we as a group accomplished. It’s a challenging workshop, but it’s a lot of fun and absolutely worth it. It took me out of my performing comfort zone, which is healthy, and it built my confidence, which will be important whether I move forward in ComedySportz or not. I would also like to thank my classmates and my instructor Ed Trout…I am a better and more confident performer because of all of you.

On a personal note…I hope you enjoyed reading about this class and I hope it shed some light on what you could expect if you decide to take it yourself. I don’t know what the next step for me will be as a performer, but I can tell you that you will certainly see me around the theater over the weekends, so please feel free to say hello. I’m always happy to answer any questions about the class as well.

The class I took is one of several that ComedySportz offers, and the troop is looking for more people to write about their experiences. If you are interested in taking any of the workshops and blogging about it, you can contact Troy Hanna at thanna@indycomedysportz.com.

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Why We Do What We Do Part 3

October 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In many studies that look at this kind of thing, public speaking is the number one fear of human beings. Add on the pressures of making things up on the fly and trying to be funny…and you might wonder why it is ComedySportz actletes choose to do what they do. If only there was some sort of comprehensive list of ComedySportz players and why they love improv…

Kelsey VanVoorst

I do ComedySportz simply because I enjoy it. I am in love with the art form of improv and I am also in love with the people that I am blessed to perform with. It’s something I can look forward to on the weekends after a long week of schoolwork. I leave every match feeling on top of the world. For me, there is really no better feeling than hearing the uproarious laughter of an audience.

Chad Woodward

I do ComedySportz because it gives me a huge outlet for my inner child.  It lets me engage in an artistic activity that reaches people in a way that plays and poetry cannot.  Improv is a building block that everyone can grasp and appreciate.  It’s a common unifier.

Lauren “Orenga” Ahlwardt

I love to make people laugh – people of all ages. I love that I am involved in something where the people I work with are amazingly talented. I love that anything goes and things that come out from it are comical. I love how wonderful people respond to this improv comedy. I love to perform!

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Week 7: It’s Time to Light The Lights

October 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Level III class ends with a performance, and this week we planned out the show. We started with each of us writing out the top eight games we would like to play. It was kind of like a political election, except we were familiar with all of the candidates and the results might actually make some kind of difference.

Once we knew which games we were playing, we started assigning performers and putting them in order. This was a pretty interesting process. We wanted to make sure to spread out the types of games we are playing. For example, we didn’t want two musical games going one after another. We also got the chance to volunteer for the specific games we wanted to play. It was a unique learning experience to see how a show like this comes together.

I don’t want to get into the specific games we went over…I’d like to leave that as a surprise for the show. But I did notice something during practice worth mentioning. I have mentioned in these blogs that we all are making noticeable improvement…but I’ve noticed over the last two weeks that we are improving as a group. Like any team…it is starting to emerge that different members have different strengths. More importantly…we’re learning to play off of those strengths and put each other in a position to succeed. My sense of humor tends to be more dry and subtle…some in the class tend to be more outspoken and direct. Instead of those styles clashing…they’re starting to come together.

One other point I want to make…even though I’m the one who has been blogging…the class is filled with very talented, very funny people with all sorts of different interests, professions and styles. They are all worth seeing and supporting and I hope you will do so next week.

So…if you’d like to come see our final week performance…it’s Tuesday, November 1. Doors open at 7:30 and the show begins at 8:00. Admission is free, and I tend to believe we will be worth every penny.

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ComedySportz Indianapolis Names Assistant Artistic Director

October 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Comedy Indianapolis, Indy Comedy, Comedy, Improv, Things to do in Indianapolis

Assistant Artistic Director Claire Wilcher

 

The ComedySportz Theatre, Home of ComedySportz Indianapolis, is delighted to announce the appointment of Claire Wilcher as Assistant Artistic Director.

Wilcher has been a performer with ComedySportz Indianapolis since 2004, and is a member of the Three Dollar Bill Comedy Company. She  is a veteran theatre performer around Indianapolis, with three encore awards for her performances.  In addition to performing, she has taught acting classes with Acting Up Productions, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, and Wayne Township Education Foundation.

Wilcher will be active in growing the brand of ComedySportz Indianapolis through weekly matches with the professional company of performers and coordinating the weekly practice schedule.  She will also serve as High School League Coordinator.

“ComedySportz Indianapolis has been my second family for seven years, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work even more closely with this fantastic group of performers,” says Wilcher.

“It’s been a great pleasure to get to work with Claire for the last seven years. She is an incredibly talented performer, improviser, and teacher, and I am thrilled that she has agreed to step into the role of Assistant Artistic Director here at ComedySportz Indianapolis,” Ed Trout Artistic Director/owner of ComedySportz Indianapolis

One of Wilcher’s first responsibilities will be to help coordinate and promote the ComedySportz performances of A Christmas Carol: Unscripted, which is presented Friday evenings between November 25th – December 30th.

About ComedySportz Indianapolis

ComedySportz is the longest running show in Indianapolis, now in its 19th year, featuring team-against-team improv comedy. Matches take place Thursday and Friday nights at 7:30, and Saturday Nights at 7:30 and 10:00. ComedySportz is also available for private and corporate functions, and offers corporate team-building workshops called Group Unity Training Seminars (GUTS).

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