ComedySportz Lockdown Update July 2020

The world may slowly be re-opening but theatres and venues remain closed to performances. We have started making tentative plans for after the summer but even if we do get to the point where we can perform live again we need to do so responsibly - safety for our players and audience members should always come first. Until then the show will still go online.

Watch online comedy and learn improv and stand up with ComedySportz

WORKSHOPS

We will continue to provide Digital Drop-Ins throughout July. We have recently conducted feedback on our classes and have been delighted with the response. We've taken on your feedback and will be filling the next few weeks with the content you've asked for - the schedule will go live later this week.

We're also delighted to announce that we are finally ready to deliver an online Foundation Improv course! This fun and friendly six week course will commence Thursday 23rd July 2020 and we can't wait! Whether you’re looking to start performing improv comedy, want to improve your listening and communication skills or just want to meet new people in a fun and friendly online environment then this course is for you. Adapted from our regular courses and tailored to online training, these Foundation Improv online workshops will help you learn new skills that can applied on stage and off.

Also, we're running another of our increasingly popular online Stand-Up Comedy courses commencing Monday 13th July 2020. This exciting online comedy course will look at ways of crafting great gags, exploring joke structure, and developing storytelling techniques to hone your comedic voice. There will be weekly writing exercises as well as regular, friendly feedback on your material and performance. This course is ideal for anyone stuck at home looking for laughs and wanting to try their hand at something new.

SHOWS

With more people returning to work and more opportunities to get out of the house we are resting our Friday Fun Time Lunch Time shows for July. However we will still be doing our Witty Wednesday and Super Saturday shows every week at 7pm BST. For a full schedule visit our shows page.

This week players would have been making their way to ComedySportz World Championship in Houston, Texas. We're excited however that there will now be an online championship and we'll have more details soon!

Beyond July we have some very exciting events lined up. 2020 would have been our biggest Edinburgh Fringe yet and we're delighted to be teaming up again with Laughing Horse for their online festival in August. Full dates will be online soon.

If you're reading this and looking for family friendly entertainment for your online festival please don't hesitate to get in touch today!

VIDEOS

We have a brand new video page on the website with a few favourite clips and even full shows from our rewatch series. Perfect if you'd like a reminder of what things used to be like when we could all laugh in the same room together!

THANK YOU

We've been immensely proud of how our players have responded to the ongoing situation and incredibly grateful for your continued support during this time. We're committed to keeping our online shows free but have been very grateful for your donations so far.

Recently, we asked you to give those donations instead to Black Lives Matter, The Proud Trust and Rainbow Noir as well as making contributions ourselves.  We're making plans for more shows supporting charitable causes in the coming weeks and months. We already have some in mind but please get in touch if you know of organisations you think we can bring some awareness to and hopefully raise a little money for.

 

We hope it's not too long until we can all be together again but until then stay safe and keep on laughing!

Spring Intensives - Improv, Stand-Up and Sketch

We’re delighted to announce a programme of short courses in March-April 2020 including Foundation Improv, Beginning Stand-Up Comedy and Sketch Writing. These short intensive courses cover all the content of our longer workshops but are ideal for those unable to commit to an 8 week course.

These workshops are split over two Saturdays with both sessions running 12.30-5pm. Each course costs just £75 (inc. £30 non-refundable deposit). Full details can be found at the links below.

ComedySportz workshops are fun, friendly and affordable. Learn new skills, meet new people and rediscover your playful side. There's no experience necessary for any of these short courses. ComedySportz Manchester is part of CSz Worldwide, one of the world's largest comedy schools. Not sure which course is right for you? Get in touch and we'll be happy to answer any questions you have!

Workshops in improv, stand-up and sketch

Upcoming Short Courses

Sketch Writing [POSTPONED]

Explore ways of developing sketches for stages, screen and audio. From the perfect premise to the killer punchline this intensive course will look at ways of making the most of your comedic ideas.

Beginning Stand-Up Comedy [POSTPONED]

Hone your comedic voice and write your first 5 minute set. Great for anyone looking to take their first steps into the world of Stand-Up or build confidence in public speaking.

Foundation Improv 25th April-2nd May 2020

Learn the core skills of Improvisation with this intensive course. Great for anyone looking to develop listening and communication skills or get more confident going off-script. Book Here.

 

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Give the gift of laughter this Christmas!

Looking for a last minute gift for a friend or loved one? You can book a space on one of our 8 week courses commencing 25th January 2020. There are spaces available on both our Foundation in Improv and Beginning Stand-Up Comedy classes. Both fun and friendly courses will run Saturdays 12.30-2.30pm for 8 weeks. A workshop with ComedySportz is great alternative gift this Christmas.

Think you might want a go as well? Then read on for a fantastically festive limited-time offer!

gift of laughter this christmas with improv and stand-up workshops

Available Courses

Discover the core tenets and skills of an improviser with our Foundation in Improv course. Great fun for anyone who wants to rediscover their playful side, work on their listening and focus, build confidence in groups or face the unknown with confidence and laughter.

Write and perform your first comedy routine with our Beginning Stand-Up Comedy course. Great for anyone who wants to build confidence before getting on stage or wants to develop and hone their material and comedic voice. Workshoppers receive valuable industry insight and regular feedback on material.

Both courses are great for people who want to make new friends, build confidence or just do something bold, fun and a little different in 2020! All workshops will be held at Thoughtworks, Federation Street, Manchester; a short walk from Shudehill Interchange or Victoria Station. There is also plenty of paid parking nearby as well as street parking for disabled access. The workshops spaces are fully wheelchair accessible.

How To Book As A Gift

Just let us know when making the booking who the booking is for. Please include the recipients name and contact details so we can contact them with information about the course. Let us know if you need us to contact them after a specific date so we don’t spoil the surprise. We can also email you a gift certificate and info sheet to present on the day.

You must pay the full price of the course at time of booking if purchasing as a gift. If the recipient is not able to attend the course you’ve booked them on they can be transferred onto the next course.

We've all bought gifts for friends that we secretly wanted for ourselves so if you would also like to book a space for yourself on the same course you can! We'll even give you back £30 from your total spend on the first day of the workshops if booking with a friend. This is a limited time offer that expires at midnight (GMT) on the 31st December 2019 so don't delay and book today!

About ComedySportz

We've been entertaining audiences across the UK, USA and Europe since 2001 and host Manchester's longest running improv comedy courses. Our facilitators are all professional comedians and improvisers and are fully accredited by CSzWorldwide, one of the world's largest comedy schools. Our workshops have appeared in The Stage, Cosmo UK and The Guardian Online.

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Starting Improv Classes

Ever wanted to take an improv workshop with ComedySportz but nervous about taking your first steps? Worry that you're not funny or creative enough? Starting improv classes can be daunting but don't worry, our workshops are fun, friendly and supportive! Here are some tips for taking beginners improv workshops...

improvisation workshop

Don't Try To Be Funny!

We make jokes when we're nervous and uncomfortable and it is quite tempting to try and make jokes instead of engaging with a scene and just trusting that what happens will be funny. Or maybe it won't; just because we're called ComedySportz that doesn't mean every scene you improvise has to be full of laughter! Trust that the funny will come and try to stay in the moment.

Bring A Brick ...Not A House

The two most important words in Improv are "Yes, And", accepting the reality of an idea and then adding something new.

Sometimes we'll hear people say "I could never do that, I'm not imaginative/funny enough!" This is often because people are afraid of the pressure of having to create everything from scratch and are worried they would have to do all the work! In truth, when we improvise we are mostly reacting instead of creating. By remaining in the moment and just having an honest response to what is happening.

Don't feel like you have to bring all the ideas at once, it's a collaborative experience where everyone's ideas are played with. When you come into a scene, bring a "brick" and build the house together - it's a lot more fun that way!

Give 100% Commitment

Sometimes, in Improv, things get weird. Scenes might take unexpected turns and tangents, characters might say or do things you weren't expecting. This can get confusing - especially when you're trying to figure out the "rules" of improvisation/how to play a game. But if you give a 100% commitment to an idea or exercise, no matter how strange, you'll be able to relax, enjoy the scene and take in any instructions. Games might seem a little strange - but there is always a point to playing them, even if that point is just to make us feel comfortable acting a bit silly.

"Failure" Is Just Learning

When people hold back at a workshop it is often because they are too concerned with getting things right or trying not to make themselves look silly. However, as above, if you give 100% commitment to an exercise and "succeed", fantastic, we've all learned something! Likewise, if you give 100% commitment to an exercise and "fail", fantastic, we've all learned something!

Anything that goes "wrong" is just an offer - an opportunity for the scene to go in a new direction or an opportunity to learn something new. Failure isn't scary, it's an important part of play - so don't give yourself a hard time about it!

Starting Improv Classes With ComedySportz

ComedySportz UK has been performing and teaching since 2001. Our workshops have featured in The Stage, Cosmo UK and The Guardian.  If you're thinking about starting improv classes with us we're happy to answer any questions you have before signing up. You can sign up here.

All of our classes and workshop leaders are fully accredited by CSzWorldwide, one of the world's largest comedy performance schools. So, when you take a class with us, you're not just benefiting from our experience but the knowledge of over 30 ComedySportz teams worldwide!

Already taken some improv classes and would like to take your learning to the next step? Try our Intermediate drop ins.

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Improv Classes - Last Few Spaces!

There are just a few spaces left on our 2 day intensive workshops coming up in June. Sign up today to secure your space on these exciting short courses and improv classes.

Improv Classes Manchester

Longform Improv 1st-2nd June £75

Deposit - Full Price

Attended a few improv classes and jams and always wondered who those Armando and Harold guys are that everyone talks about? Then this short introduction to longform improv has the answer! This two day course will:

A great way to take a deeper dive into the possibilities of improv performance, be in the moment and create engaging characters and relationships. This course will be run by Braínne Edge, ComedySportz UK founder and manager. Braínne has over 15 years experience teaching Improv performance skills around the world and teaches on the University of Salford's Comedy Writing and Performance degrees, one of the first degrees of it's type in the UK.

Whilst some previous improv experience is useful this is a session for all ability levels. Attendees will also receive free entry to Improv Mullet (1st June, 7.30pm) our mixed short and longform improv show.

Musical Improv Workshops Manchester

Musical Improv 15th-16th June £85

Deposit - Full Price

Hate playing musical games in your improv scenes? Terrified of singing in public? ComedySportz players Rachel and Felix will teach you the fundamental skills to create fun, off-the-cuff showstoppers.

This class is a great way to build confidence and learn a challenging but exciting new skill to add to your improv games and scenes. You don't need to have any singing ability or musical knowledge to attend and this workshop is open to all skill levels.

Both courses will run 12.30-5pm each day and be held in the main theatre space at The Kings Arms, Salford. All our workshops are designed to be a safe, supportive environment for you to play, learn and discover.

To secure your space you can pay in full now or just pay the non-refundable £30 deposit. If you would like to attend but know you won't be able to cover the costs until the next pay day please don't hesitate to get in touch so we can make alternative arrangements for you.

There are also two spaces that have just opened up on our Stand Up "Your Next Five Minutes" 1 Day workshop. Find out more here.

These will be our last workshops before the summer so don't delay and sign up today!

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