ComedySportz Tournament History
Past Championship Hosts
1988-1995 Milwaukee, WI
1996- Kansas City, MO
1997 Quad Cities
1998 Milwaukee, WI
1999 Portland, OR
2000 Austin, TX
2001 Chicago, IL
2002 Quad Cities
2003 Washington, DC
2004 Milwaukee, WI
2005 Los Angeles, CA
2006 San Jose, CA
2007 Quad Cities
2008 Portland OR
2009 Milwaukee
2010 Philadelphia, PA
How did ComedySportz start?
ComedySportz was started in 1984 in Milwaukee, WI by Dick Chudnow, who based it on the competitive Theatresports improvisational techniques of Keith Johnstone from Calgary, Alberta. Expansion began with the addition of Madison, WI, in 1985. The first Comedy League of America National Tournament was held in 1988, with 10 teams participating. The World Comedy League has grown to over 20 cities.
CSz Indianapolis was started by a group of players who had been performing in Indianapolis as “Below the Belt” a sketch/improv troupe that specialized in local satire. The starting troupe consisted of eleven members. Of the original Troupe Mia Lee Bauman, Lynn Burger and Ed Trout remain as the owners and original Dave Ruark still performs with the group. In 18 years ComedySportz Indianapolis has grown from 11 players to over 50.
CSz Indianpolis started playing matches on February 12 1993 at Theatre On The Square (TOTS) when it was located at Fountain Square. When TOTS moved to Mass Ave, ComedySportz moved to 30th and Kessler. In 1999 ComedySportz moved to its current location at 721 Massachusetts Avenue. Since then many new businesses, restaurants and galleries have moved into the neighborhood. Mass Ave is now known as the Theatre and Arts District.
When did each city begin play
1984 Milwaukee, WI
1987 San Jose, CA, Chicago, IL, Washington, DC
1988 Los Angeles, CA
1989 Minneapolis, MN
1990 Houston, TX, Quad Cities, IL
1992 Philadelphia, PA
1993 Indianapolis, IN, Portland, OR, Buffalo, NY
1997 Richmond, VA
1999 Provo, UT
2002 Manchester, UK
2004 New York, NY
2005 New Orleans LA
2008 Sacramento CA, Austin,TX, San Antonio, TX
2009 Berlin, Germany
