Working in the media, I tend to meet and interview a lot of high-talent people. I have always had a special admiration for people who use that talent to be creative, entertain people and make them laugh. I’ve always hoped to be one of those people, doing improv comedy with the Ship of Fools in West Lafayette and performing parody music for years.

It was a natural fit for me to check out ComedySportz when I moved back to Indianapolis for a job. I fell in love with the place immediately. I decided I wanted to be a part of it and found out that the vast majority of the group’s new members come from these classes. I’ve never had fear of public speaking or performance, but this is the first time I will really try out or audition for anything.

So…you’re going to follow me. ComedySportz and I have gotten together and decided to have me blog as I try to work my way onto the team. I’ll be taking the eight-week Level III class. So…feel free to leave me messages and interact through the group’s Facebook and Twitter pages. I am absolutely shallow enough to appreciate baseless support from people I don’t know…so pile it on.

If I succeed…you’ll share the story with me. If I fail, I’ll sulk in my living room and eat Haagen-Dazs while you return to your regularly-scheduled lives. Everybody wins!

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Bio

My name is Andy Ober. I am Senior Writer/Reporter at Inside INdiana Business. I have worked in the media for more than ten years and have performed comedy in some form or another for just as long. I fell in love with ComedySportz after seeing a few weekend shows and have made it my goal to become part of the group.

I previously worked for a very large global consulting firm in which we would frequent client sites. “You will find yourself in meetings in which you are asked very difficult questions” my boss told me, “Critical thinking is an essential skill set in our field and it is something every employee here should have”. She told me the best way (besides flat out experience) to develop this skill, was to take an improv class. To her credit, she epitomized ‘out of the box’ thinking.

So I googled Indianapolis improv and came across ComedySportz. I signed up for the level 1 class and quickly discovered that I wasn’t the stellar communicator I thought I was. That class taught me the most basic of improv skills which translated easily not only into my professional life, but into my personal life as well. I found the class to be an immense amount of fun and it was a great opportunity to meet new people and network. Each week’s class would go by too quickly for my liking and I found myself counting the days to the next class.

Naturally, when level 1 ended, I progressed on to level 2 and level 3 which focused a bit more on the performance aspect of improv. ComedySportz has just the right teachers and curriculum for each level. It pushed me to get better without feeling pressured.

I soon realized the stark contrast of improv against my corporate job had become my creative outlet. Due to the nature of improv and the different group each time, I continued taking the higher level classes multiple times. I highly recommend taking these classes for any client-facing employee, or anyone who just wants to have healthy, creative fun on a weekly basis.

- Joe Ottaviano, Carmel, IN

I was fortunate enough to participate in the CSz Indianapolis Advanced Improv Workshop. Even though this was my first class ever taken, not only was Ed Trout welcoming, but the students who had already taken some classes embraced me with open arms.

ComedySportz Improv Classes not only helped me define my Improv skills, but also built my confidence, and launched me onto joining the ComedySportz team. Ed Trout did a wonderful job of supporting us throughout the eight weeks and was able to read each student and help us succeed in our comedic efforts not only as a class unit, but also as individuals.

The relationships built in this class have continued to strengthen, and I enjoy every moment I have with the ComedySprotz team. I highly suggest taking this class, not only to build a better understanding of Improvisation, but you will have TONS of FUN!

- Lauren Ahlwardt, Fishers, IN

The improv classes at ComedySportz have quite literally changed my life.  Before starting them I was in a rut personally and professionally, and I had lost my sense of fun.  These classes have taught me how to take risks, how to work with teams, how to fail and be okay with it, the importance of play, truth in comedy and comedy in truth, and most of all that every person has unlimited potential within if they can learn the simple lesson of “Yes, and–!”

If you used to be a kid, you are eligible for these classes! What you put in is what you will get out.  Don’t hesitate—improv is the best training (and therapy) for life I have ever found.  Life is improv!

- Kendra Wilcox, Fishers, IN