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.

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!

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 25^th – December 30^th.

About ComedySportz Indianapolis

ComedySportz is the longest running show in Indianapolis, now in its 19^th 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).

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 Indianapolis actletes choose to do what they do. If only there was some sort of comprehensive list of ComedySportz Indianapolis players and why they love improv comedy…

Great news! See below…

Strange David Fuller
I do ComedySportz because in learning to accept and expand others’ ideas, I’ve learned to accept and expand on my own. In learning to find the joy in others’ ideas, I’ve learned to find joy in my own. In learning to trust that others have my back, I’ve learned how to be trustworthy. In learning that others have confidence in me, I’ve learned confidence in myself. Plus, I haven’t found anything else that makes showing off and goofing off this much fun.

Kirk Keevert
In 1991 a friend called, asked if I’d seen the auditions in the paper and insisted I attend. Because of that phone call I have the good fortune to get up in front of a bunch of strangers a few times a month and help them forget about the crap that’s gone on the previous week. I’d be lying, though, if I didn’t admit that not all of my reasons for doing this are quite so altruistic. I’m a Leo and I love the attention. But my favorite thing I’ve gotten out of ComedySportz is that I am a member of a family, a real, strong, loving and supportive family that lives all over the country and in Europe.

Kristin Katsu
I’m in a class of eight other actors and directors at my graduate school, and the professor leads us in an improv game that I have played as routine at ComedySportz: Bippity Bippity Bop. Many of the others had never played before, so at first they focus intently on getting it right. Then suddenly they realize it isn’t about getting it right; it’s about being a group and working together on getting energized. That’s why I do ComedySportz: the transformation from a routine life to a joyful, energetic, family. I laugh at how foreign that game was to them, but within minutes they weren’t outsiders anymore. Confidence comes out of that focused, supportive environment.

Want to know more about our players?  Keep reading this blog and check out the player page on the website.

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 Indianapolis actletes choose to do what they do. If only there was some sort of comprehensive list of ComedySportz Indianapolis players and why they love improv comedy…

Great news! See below…

Rebecca DeVries McConnell

Improvisation has made me a better all-around actor. It makes me unafraid to try different character types and helps me “cover” when things don’t go as planned in a performance. Also, it allows for a situation where it’s socially acceptable for an adult to play like a kid, and that’s awesome.

Joe Ottaviano

For me its super simple and straightforward. It’s my creative outlet which forces me to get out of the house. It also feels good to make people laugh.

Woody Rau

I do ComedySportz for one reason. If you know me, the reason is obvious. If you don’t, you are probably thinking, “Who is this guy?” Wanna know why I do ComedySportz? The money.

Bethany Arrington

I do ComedySportz because it is the only time I get to be my own director, writer, choreographer, dancer, musician, lyricist, stunt double, technician, plus being the usual actor. I do ComedySportz because it is always different and never boring. I do it because I don’t have to be my “type” that the acting/theatre world defines me as. I can be a body builder, a cat, or a car. It allows me to be versatile in a way other forms of theatre cannot.

Want to know more about our players?  Keep reading this blog and check out the player page on the website

When she’s not at ComedySportz, Christy Darst is an environmental consultant helping to make the world “green”. However, when she’s on stage she’ll make you red in the face with laughter.

He’s bad, he’s nationwide. You can see Corey Jefferson perform at ComedySportz Indianapolis many times as a captain of a team. Find out what he’s doing when he’s not entertaining the masses.

Aili McGill is one of our favorite female players at CSz Indy. We are so lucky to have her. However, sometimes when she’s not playing she is up, up, and away. Believe us, she’s not full of hot air.

Wake up! Chad Woodward is one of the many tremendous actletes at ComedySportz Indianapolis. Not only that but he’s a man of many talents. Check out his blue collar days outside of the Indianapolis CSz arena.