Rainmakers Press Release
For Immediate Release: February 6, 2009
Contact: Michael Davis, Marketing Director
Phone: 317-951-8499
Web Site: www.indycomedysportz.com

Indianapolis, IN: February 6, 2009 – ComedySportz Indianapolis, the city's only professional improvisational comedy theatre, celebrates its 16th anniversary on February 12, 2009. Celebrations will be held during the ComedySportz match: Thursday, February 12. The Match will include games popular in 1993 like "What Are You Doing", "185" and of course "5 Things". There will also be drawings for great prizes. $3 from every adult ticket sold will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

ComedySportz Indianapolis played its very first improvisational comedy match on February 12, 1993 at Theatre On The Square, which was at that time still located in Fountain Square . In those days the matches started as late as midnight, as the match couldn't start until an hour after Theatre On The Square's performance was finished. In the winter of 1994 ComedySportz Indianapolis moved to its own digs at 30th Street and Kessler Boulevard , next to Mugsy's Pizza. There, in a converted beauty shop, the ComedySportz troupe developed its core performers and fans. In the spring of 1999 ComedySportz, on the vanguard of the development of the Massachusetts Avenue Arts and Theatre District, moved into its current home at 721 Massachusetts Avenue . It has remained a favorite destination for audiences of all ages from all over the region. It is the only professional comedy theatre in the State, as well as the only all-ages comedy venue in Indianapolis .

ComedySportz was founded in Milwaukee by Dick Chudnow. He later created the Comedy League of America to nurture other ComedySportz teams in other cities. For the last 25 years ComedySportz has spread across the United States and to England . ComedySportz Indianapolis remains one of the most thriving teams in the World Comedy League.

And just what is ComedySportz? It's comedy played as a sport. After a rousing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, two teams of comedy performers (called actletes) play improvisational games for points in order to win The Meaningless Trophy. ComedySportz games emphasize action, wordplay, music, and imagination. All the games are based on audience suggestions and performed on the spot without any preparation.

A referee keeps all of this madcap hilarity from turning into chaos. The referee also calls two important fouls: the Groaner Foul and the Brown Bag Foul. The Groaner Foul is called for any bad jokes, puns, or wordplay which make the audience audibly groan. As penalty for committing the Groaner Foul, the offending player must deliver a heart-felt apology to the audience, which votes to accept or deny it. The Brown Bag foul is called for any bad language or naughty content not conducive to an all -ages show. This foul can also be called on members of the audience who yell out offensive suggestions. As a penalty the offending player or audience member must wear a brown paper bag over his or her head until the current game is finished.

Games include "Replay," in which a short scene is played back three different times, each time in a different style suggested by the audience; "Opera." in which the audience suggests a topic or a title for an opera which the actletes create immediately; and "Good Advice, Bad Advice, Worst Advice," in which three actletes each give advice of varying degrees of quality to problems posed by the audience. The ComedySportz game repertoire increases regularly, and new games are introduced each year at the ComedySportz World Comedy League Tournament. This past tournament, ComedySportz Indianapolis was awarded the Best New Game of The Year for "Anything You Can Do" created by CSz veteran David Fuller.

ComedySportz prides itself on presenting a show funny enough for a bachelor party and clean enough for your grandmother. The audience for every show consists of people of all ages and backgrounds: families, couples, birthday parties, work groups, and community groups. And for 16 years ComedySportz has kept them all laughing.

Details about ComedySportz Indianapolis and the 16th Anniversary celebration are available at
www.indycomedysportz.com or by calling 317-951-8499. ComedySportz matches are played every Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 7:30pm, and Saturday at 7:30 and 10:00pm. All ComedySportz shows are for all ages. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for Students and Seniors, $8 for kids 5-11 (4 and under free). Group rates are available.