Competing for Laughs

Like a live version of the TV show ‘Whose Line is It Anyway?,’ the Philadelphia troupe ComedySportz piles on the laughs, big time.

By: Jim Boyle
   Quick. Act out a scene where you are skiing down a mountain, but instead of skis, pretend you’re using tennis rackets. And instead of poles, use balloons. Also, try to get your teammates to guess what you’re doing without using words. Got it? Ready, set. Oh, one more thing. Make it funny.
   The above task would leave the average person in a state of frozen terror. For the members of ComedySportz, it’s all in an evening’s work. Every Saturday night at the Playground Theater on Sansom Street, nine performers from the troupe act out audience suggestions in a game of competitive improv.

"ComedySportz
ComedySportz, a competitive improvisational troupe, performs every Saturday at the Playground Theater in Philadelphia.
"ComedySportz


   The players are split into two teams of four, with one ref to keep some sort of order among the chaos. The teams vie for points by playing improv games chosen in advance. While the ultimate goal is to win, it’s all in good fun.
   "Improv is such a shared theater experience," says Eric Van Wie. "Our group is pretty supportive of everyone. We make each other laugh as much as the audience."
   Mr. Van Wie grew up in upstate New York. After spending a year at Syracuse University and appearing in local theaters, he moved to Philadelphia to earn his bachelor’s degree in theater at the University of the Arts. In 1992, he first encountered ComedySportz.
   "I went to the Brick Playhouse and saw one of the early versions," he says. "ComedySportz was just getting started. I got on their mailing list and started to get really interested in it. Pretty soon, I auditioned for them."
   The audition process took several days. The producers whittled down more than 80 prospects to find the right people to begin training, including Mr. Van Wie.
   "The training takes about four to six months," he says. "The rookies have a separate rehearsal night, where a couple of the veterans show the different games and how ComedySportz generally approaches improv. I was in a group of five, and once the whole group was ready, we all moved up to regular performers."
   The members of ComedySportz have a pretty relaxed work schedule. After the artistic team has compiled a seven-week work schedule, depending on the more than 30 actors and their availability, the group meets every Tuesday night to rehearse. The refs and the captains of each team get together and decide which games they will play for the next show.
   "Each game calls upon different skills," Mr. Van Wie says. "I’m more comfortable with the character and storytelling games than with the joke games. We try to get a good variety. Too much of the same thing can get boring for the audience, and the players as well."
   While the list of games is set in advance, there are also a few backup activities that can be substituted, depending on the vibe of the audience. That’s where the refs come in.
   "Sometimes you feel like the audience could use a good boost," says Deb Rosen. "At halftime, we might decide that they might respond better to a different game. You definitely want to pick something you know most of the members are good at."
   Ms. Rosen, a native of Northeast Philadelphia, joined ComedySportz in 1999, after spending years trying to find the right performing outlet. She became interested in the group after meeting Mr. Van Wie and going to a few shows. Not long after joining, the artistic directors realized she had just the right personality to become a ref.
   "In some ways, there’s a different skills set," Ms. Rosen says. "I’m the conductor for the show. I keep things moving. I don’t really get to be the star, I’m more of a facilitator. I still have a lot of fun, but my job is more focused."
   The ref is also the direct link to the audience. They have to encourage more suggestions, make sure everybody is having a good time and let them feel like they are really part of the show.
   "I have to set the tone for the whole show," Ms. Rosen says. "The bigger the crowd, the more suggestions are shouted out, making my job a little easier. Occasionally I have to draw out the smaller crowds, but it’s not that difficult because they came to us wanting to have a good time."
ComedySportz plays at the Playground Theater, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Sat. 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets cost $15, students $12. For information, call (877) 985-2844. On the Web: www.comedysportzphilly.com