ComedySportz World Championships 2022: Full Schedule

10:30am PDT

First Morning Meeting!

This is the first super official CWC 2022 event. Be there!

Wednesday June 22, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Morning Meeting

1:00pm PDT

First Time Attendees Orientation

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Following the Fun: Curing Improv Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome

Ever left a practice or a show thinking about all the "mistakes" you made? Ever worried that you weren't really "good" enough to share a stage with your teammates? Ever felt like no matter how hard you worked at it, you just couldn't get "better" as an improviser? Good news: we've ALL had these feelings -- yes, even your improv hero! -- and There Is Another Way. Share (or not!) in the safe space of this workshop; learn at least one new way of thinking about this make-it-up thing we do; and play some games where worrying about "good improv" is not an option.

Moderators

Drew Simchik

Right Halfwit, CSz Seattle

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory Studio G

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Give Your Characters a Game to Play

Imagine, if you will, you are beginning a scene in an improv show. You walk on stage with your character, and within a couple lines the audience is dying of laughter because your character is so gosh dang funny. There's only one problem though... you have no idea where to go from here. You don't even know why your character got such a big laugh in the first place, and you really wish you could get that reaction again.

You can stop imagining. Also, I'm sorry for making you imagine one of my improv anxiety dreams.

This workshop is designed to help you out of that scenario. In it, you will learn techniques to consistently create characters that have a clear pattern that you can play with, so you're never struggling to think of "what do I do next?". We'll focus on creating and recognizing patterns, identifying what the audience is responding to, and actively listening to your own character to help see yourself as the audience does.

Speakers

Mark Ableidinger

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio D

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Improvising Shakespeare

One of the most common genre suggestions, Shakespeare is also one of the most misunderstood. Tired of faking your way through the same hack gags? Or does Shakespeare fill you with abject terror? Learn to play in the genre, not at the genre! No previous Shakespeare experience necessary. In two fast hours, we’ll cover physical and vocal choices, language, emotional content, major tropes of the genre, and even a little (fun, easy to digest) history. And yes, you’ll learn how to cleave.

Speakers

Rick Steadman

Varies, but often standing or sitting, CSz LA

"Uh oh! Here comes Rick Steadman!" is something someone might say if I was running at them.

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Cornish Studio

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Nowhere to Run but Sing and Dance For Your Lives

You’re in the middle of a game, and you and your teammates have heightened the game or scene as far as you can take it, so where do you go from there? Sing and dance. You’ve basically earned the right to sing when you’re in the moment and expressing your innermost vulnerability, so why not just start singing and dancing? In this workshop, you will learn how musical improv can exist in EVERY single match game regardless of format, and how to unlock it through exploring and heightening, identifying the heart of the game, and committing to the ridiculousness, genuineness, and humility of sharing vulnerability in song. Solutions will be provided for a variety of common games, including competition games, line games, guessing games, and others, in situations WITH or WITHOUT a live musical director.

Speakers

Faustino Solis

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio I

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Speed (Sandra Bullock Not Included)

Explore the how, when, and why of making faster decisions on stage. Speed is a fantastic tool for wowing audiences and delivering on the fast-paced promises that the ComedySportz format makes. You’ll get practical tips, philosophical discussions, and reps playing a variety of CSz games.

Speakers

Tey Burke

CSz Richmond

What should people talk to me about? America’s 9th, and shortest tenured, President, William Henry Harrison!

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory Theatre 4

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Where Did That Come From?

Through special exercises and game variations, this workshop will help you to discover and play with some new and unusual character voices. In doing so you will also enhance your capability to take risks, commit to your choices, and fail with great joy. It is guaranteed to be fun and challenging for improvisers of all levels.

Speakers

Chris Crotty

CSz Portland

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio C

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Training the Trainer

This is a two-part workshop, where you will engage in Applied Improv exercises and reflections as a participant, and then put your facilitator hat on for additional discussion. You can take it all (recommended) or just half if that's what you need to do.

1:00pm-3:00pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm

Speakers

Patrick Short

GM, CSz Portland

This bio was already in Sched, so cool, here it is:Patrick Short serves as co-owner and General Manager of CSz Portland (Oregon). Established in 1993, the company has performed over 5,100 ComedySportz shows, 1,000 other improv and scripted events, taught 2,000+ classes and has continued... Read More →

Wednesday June 22, 2022 1:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio B

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Beat Drums! (A percussion circle experience)

Tune up your ears and body for improv by yes-anding on drums and other percussion instruments. Drumming together forces us not just to listen to the listeners, but to feel what your fellow drummers are doing, anticipating, offering, accepting, and weaving it all together into an organic tapestry of rhythm that is powerful, moving, and above all, fun! Mark has studied drumming in West Africa, and drum circle facilitation with master drummers Mary Knysh and Jim Solomon. He'll bring his own collection of drums and rhythm toys,, enough for ten people, but if you can bring a drum or percussion instrument of your own, the more the merrier!

Speakers

Mark Anderson

Maker of Melodies, Creator of Chords, Summoner of Songs, CSz Portland

I have a distinct memory of improvising a tone poem on the family piano when I was 5. It wasn’t very good. But it was a start. I’ve been playing the piano my whole life, the trumpet almost as long, and over the years, I’ve added an ever-growing assortment of instruments to my... Read More →

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio D

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Early Match Teams TEAMBUILDING

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Genre!

Every scene has a genre! This workshop will give you the tools to craft genre specific characters, locations, and narratives. Work out some genres you know, and discover some that you don't! We will focus out work into playing IN character instead of AT character. (Being a nerd helps, but is not required).

Speakers

MJ Matheson

CSz Twin Cities

Be Kind!

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory Studio G

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Go Big Right Now

In this class we focus on playing from the front of the stage with big energy and intensity. We will emphasize strong agreement, emotional connection, and confident choices in games of all types. Big doesn’t always mean loud, or crazy... although we will practicing some of that too. Come turn it up to 11 together! The audience WANTS to see you, lets build our confidence!

Speakers

Chad Madron

Player, CSz Portland

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio C

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Nobody Puts Baby In a Corner

A workshop about status. In this workshop we will explore status and how we can flip expectations. Endowed with a traditionally low status type character? Let’s see what we can do to accept the offer and make a play for the higher status in the scene.

Speakers

Nicole Devin

Player, CSz Chicago

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Cornish Studio

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Ref's Worst Nightmare

You've laced your sneaks, shined your stripes, you've got the whistle of power, baby! You step out onto the playing field ready to rock this match. Then it happens: your worst nightmare. In this workshop, refs of all skill levels will work on how to handle different scenarios as well as share ideas and methods for dealing with unexpected situations.

Speakers

Jekeva Phillips

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio I

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

The Hardest Exercises I've Ever Done

Intended for those seeking an advanced-level workshop, you'll be tasked with completing the 2 most difficult exercises I've ever come across in my 16 years of studying improvisation in San Jose, Chicago, and New York City. Of course, they're not just hard for the sake of being hard, rather these exercises push your improv skills to the bitter extreme, exposing your weaknesses and allowing you to analyze yourself as a performer in new and rewarding ways.

Speakers

Sam Bowers

Player, New York City

Wednesday June 22, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory Theatre 4

Workshop

10:30am PDT

Second Morning Meeting!

Morning Meeting number two. See you there!

Thursday June 23, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Morning Meeting

1:00pm PDT

The Heart of the Matter

Every single story we care about is built on relationships, and every relationship is built on emotion. Through a series of exercises, we'll find new ways to connect to our emotions, and connect our emotions to each other, putting good acting into our improv, and making audiences care.

Speakers

Rick Steadman

Varies, but often standing or sitting, CSz LA

"Uh oh! Here comes Rick Steadman!" is something someone might say if I was running at them.

Thursday June 23, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio C

1:00pm PDT

Beginning Stop Watches & Whistles

Whether you’re thinking about donning the stripes, aren’t sure where to start, or simply need some updated Ref tools to take back to your team, this workshop will have you up on your feet getting reps in while practicing the skills that build a resilient and engaging ComedySportz Referee. We’ll take you through the values-based reffing approach, letting our CSz Worldwide values shine while creating and/or strengthening the likelihood of a Loyal Fan coming back. In this approach, we uplevel our focus to leverage relationship-building habits to create a unique and memorable experience for everyone, from fans to players. By the time you’re walking out, you’ll: - Practice applying a specific set of lenses & framework to leading a full ComedySportz match and everyone involved - Uncover the variety of tools that exist to level up your relationship-building skills - Identify and discover the myriad of opportunities that exist in a single match

Speakers

Courtney Pong

owner, CSz Boston

Thursday June 23, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Cornish Studio

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Harolds Aren't Complicated

I've been taught the Harold improv format by 7 different teachers. Every single time, it was taught as if it was advanced calculus, with a lot of numbers and charts and confusing metaphors. It was confusing, it was intimidating, and it felt more like school than doing improv with my buddies. Put away the graphing calculators. Harolds are simple and fun. While mastering the format takes a lot of work and practice, you can learn the basics in an afternoon by using short form games you already know. And that's what this workshop is. This workshop is meant to be a fun and active intro to the best longform improv format. It's meant for anyone who wants to learn about this format, anyone who thinks it's too complicated, or anyone who just likes doing improv. You'll learn the format through short form games, then by actually doing it. At the end, you'll have an overview of how a Harold is structured and how to make the most out of the format.

Artistic Director, CSz Richmond

Thursday June 23, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory Theatre 4

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Musical Theatricality for Improv

Instructor: Heather Scholl, CSz Chicago
Keyboard: Faustino Solis, CSz Las Vegas

Do you love musical theater or simply wish you had a better understanding of the genres and musical styles to implement into your improvisation? In this workshop, we'll explore the elements that make up a musical and how these tropes can be created on the improv stage - from song types, to dance breaks, to simple big old Broadway energy. The goal of the workshop is for participants to walk away with an understanding of how to tackle a long-form narrative improvised musical (a la CSz Chicago's Trapped in a Musical!), but along the way, we'll break down how these skills can be applied in short-form games. Everyone should be prepared to sing, and Faustino Solis will accompany us on keys!

Moderators

Faustino Solis

Speakers

Heather Scholl

CSz Chicago

Thursday June 23, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

The Voice (no, not that one)

This is a workshop that explores the power of the voice as a tool for character generation. We will begin with a vocal warmup as well as discuss tools to protect the voice (this is also a great take away for anyone who refs and hosts). Afterwards we will utilize the Laban technique to create entirely new and exciting characters using just our voices. If time, we will also delve a little into the world of accents.

Speakers

Jekeva Phillips

Thursday June 23, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio D

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Anxiety & Improv: Best Frenemies Forever

Symptoms of anxiety can be anywhere from annoying to debilitating. Suffering anxiety can feel like a huge obstacle to your improv practice. In this workshop we will explore the evolutionary reasons for anxiety, triggers to anxiety, some coping mechanisms, and how to use these tools to improve your improv. You will be able to observe, embrace and maybe even make friends with your anxiety. Great for people who suffer from anxiety on any level, including new improvisors, long time anxiety sufferers and those with “imposter syndrome”.

Speakers

Sarah Filman

Player @ CSz Seattle

Danielle Bortone-Holt

CSz Seattle

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio D

3:30pm PDT

Early Match Teams TEAMBUILDING

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Cornish Studio

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Experimental Long Form

Many cities are fortunate enough to not only offer their audience killer ComedySportz matches, but long form improv shows as well. Often this means a Harold, an Armando, or a Monoscene. In this workshop you'll be presented with 3 experimental long formats I've only seen or performed myself a couple of times. Improvisers will walk away with some forms and inspiration to bring back to their home city for further exploration. Forms: The Homerun, Scene Chain, Groundhog Day

Speakers

Sam Bowers

Player, New York City

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory Theatre 4

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Get Your ACT Together!

Rediscover your improv spark by exploring what brought you to this art form. We all have reasons for being here, and we also all have obstacles in our way. In this workshop, we will use Emily's "Mortgage Job" skills with Acceptance and Commitment Training to examine how to manage our obstacles and how to act in service of what is important to us. We will leave with an action plan for how to improve ourselves, our theaters, and/or our greater improv community in a meaningful way.

Speakers

Emily Arnold Fleming

Head Coach, CSz Richmond

I am SO EXCITED to see your faces!

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio I

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Improv-to-Sketch Workshop

First of all, no previous sketch experience is necessary to take this class! In this workshop we will cover the basics of what is a sketch, some common types of sketches, and how to structure a sketch. Using those new sketch basics, we'll run some improv montages, with frequent breaks to discuss the scene work and what might inspire us to turn a scene into a sketch.

*Please bring something to write with, either paper/pen or a laptop.

Speakers

Emmy Serviss

Left Giggler, CSz Boston

Horror movies and musicals and drag queens and PUNS!

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio B

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Late Match Teams TEAMBUILDING - ALL STAR

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Puppets and Games

Learning to use puppet principles to improve your improv, and your improv to improve your puppetry. Basic principles, some CSz games will be played. Puppets provided, limit 15.

Speakers

Amy Gray

Year 2099

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio C

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Show the Audience You Hate Yourself More Than They Hate You

Listen, I have few redeeming qualities. That’s why the audience loves me even when I don’t love myself! This tongue-in-cheek workshop will work with player persona building by identifying what makes us unique, what we don’t know, and embracing that we are all just humans stumbling through life. All levels welcome, but if you’re perfect and wonderful at being an adult I can’t help you.

Moderators

Allie (she/her) Vollmer

Player, CSz Chicago

She/Her

Thursday June 23, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory Studio G

Workshop

10:30am PDT

Third (and final) Morning Meeting!

It's the last Morning Meeting is CWC 2022. See you there!

Friday June 24, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Morning Meeting

1:00pm PDT

Let the Music do the Talking

Come and be inspired by a new scene partner, music! Learn to create scenes without talking while using background music to inspire, complement and drive your emotions and stories. Gain trust, feel joy, and explore the connections you can create with your scene partner and your scene environment. This workshop will focus on watching, feeling, and hearing the scene. Learn that our bodies can communicate to the audience (and your scene partner) without the need to talk. Awaken to your surroundings as you find that watching your scene partner is a vital skill in improvisation. Learn to become comfortable with knowing not what to say, but rather showing what you want to say. We will also explore the physical environment space often neglected and overlooked in speaking scenes. Feel it. Express it. Show it. This workshop will involve a lot of movement. Supportive shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended.

Speakers

Brooke Chamberlain

Friday June 24, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio D

1:00pm PDT

Your Improv Toolbox: This Is Not A Drill

We're not screwin' around here, we're reframing the "Good or Bad Improv" trope. We're building scenes, so we need to find the best tool for the job. We'll hammer this point home by opening up your improv toolkits and examining what in there is Craftsman, what's Lowes, and what's Fisher Price. Level up your improv without measuring yourself against others. You're gonna nail it!

Speakers

Emily Arnold Fleming

Speakers

Mark Ableidinger

Friday June 24, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Armory - Studio C

Workshop

1:00pm PDT

Song Form for Improvisers

You don't have to be a professional musician to improvise great songs. Learn a few simple structural tricks, and you can blow your fans' minds with how composed that bit of improv sounds. Improvisers of all experience levels are welcome, and a minimum of presentation will allow for plenty of stage time as you create your own jazz standards, blues charts, rock anthems, arias, folk songs, and more.

Speakers

Mark Anderson

Maker of Melodies, Creator of Chords, Summoner of Songs, CSz Portland

Friday June 24, 2022 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Early Match Teams TEAMBUILDING

Friday June 24, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Cornish Studio

3:30pm PDT

Late Match Teams TEAMBUILDING

Friday June 24, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Cornish Playhouse- Mainstage

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Mile Wide, Inch Deep: The Shallow Guide to Genre

Are you not quite sure what "film noir" actually means? Are you confused about how the superhero movies connect with each other? Are there genres you make it a policy to avoid, like romcom or sci-fi? Does all this lead to moments of panic when the audience yells out one of those as a suggestion? Don't worry; we've all been there. Fortunately, there are shortcuts, techniques, and frameworks for thinking about genre that will help you get through a short-form scene (and maybe a long-form show!) without having to enroll in a college course or watch the entire history of dystopian film. We'll talk about the ones that stumped you, practice mental and physical tricks for getting into the right headspace, apply it all to genre scenes and games, and learn why ripping off successful movies can be a good thing.

Speakers

Drew Simchik

Right Halfwit, CSz Seattle

Friday June 24, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory Theatre 4

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Physical Comedy and Movement Improv

Do you ever find yourself on stage knowing what to say but not knowing what to do with your head, shoulders, knees, or toes? Well look no further! This workshop will give you the tools to make purposeful movement on stage that will inform your scene and make people laugh. We will explore movement as a communication and a form of comedy.

Speakers

Elise Beers

Friday June 24, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory Studio G

Workshop

3:30pm PDT

Silence is Golden

A favourite to bring to Champs... want to work on needing so much dialogue in your scenes? Want to sit in a moment? Add an extra, quiet, moment in your scene work? Then this is the workshop for you

Speakers

Brianne Edge

Friday June 24, 2022 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Armory - Studio B

Workshop