Comedy Grows, Laughs for Free

By

In its 13th season, the recreation league for ComedySportz Milwaukee improv is bigger than ever. Thirteen teams are competing at ComedySportz, 420 S. 1st St., with performances at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sundays – and they’re free and open to the public.

In all, 50 players are in the league, which lets them practice their skills in short-form improvisational comedy and includes professional critiques backstage after each performance. Usually, the league draws about 40 players, so that’s a 25% increase. Do the math.

“We made some changes last season to include some Thursday night prime-time shows, and I believe that breathed new life into the league,” says Michele Kieweg, league commissioner and ComedySportz vice president of How’d That Happen? She says some teams have been in the semiannual league from the get-go.

ComedySportz, which has been around since 1984, is in a good spot to view the Milwaukee comedy scene. Michele sees the growth in rec league as part of an overall blooming in Milwaukee comedy, including an influx of sketch and stand-up comedy.

“ComedySportz, due to its long history in Milwaukee as well as its partnership with Summerfest for many years, has always enjoyed a strong following,” Michele says, “and we are thrilled that more of the community is not only seeing shows but trying it out for themselves.”

So to recap: More up-and-coming ComedySportz players. Sunday afternoons. Free shows. Where I come from, the only thing better would be if they pay you to be in the audience.