By Blake Fabre // Photography Editor
When it comes to laughter one team on campus has got it in the bag. Comedysportz is an after school improv team celebrating its fifth year on campus. The players compete against each other for laughs in a sports genre, competitive show. Using this format, teams all over the United States and even in Manchester, England compete professionally. CSZLA (Comedysportz Los Angeles) is the local division that Carson High’s team is registered under. CSZLA has a permanent residency at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood and is housing three of its four competitive ensembles: the Main Stage Team, the Sunday Team and the College League. At Carson High, the team is officially recognized as part of the final ensemble, the High School League. The High School League includes schools from all the way in the Napa Valley to the Southernmost part of the state, such as San Diego and Encinitas. The High School League was meant to bring improvisation to a young crowd and teach them the skills that come tenfold with the art of improv.
CHS Junior Brianna Barrera said, “It encouraged me to talk in public more and put out my personality.”
Along with public speaking skills and the ability to learn confidence, Comedysportz offers other valuable skills for anyone open and willing to take the risk of attending practices.
When asked if she was able to develop confidence she replied, “Definitely, it took me a while, but if you’re surrounded by the right people with an encouraging environment you can [learn] at your own pace.”
The low pressure environment of Comedysportz allows many students to improve how they handle situations they feel are uncomfortable.
“It gave me valuable things like social skills and helps with talking to people.” she finished. Comedysportz truly does create a safe space where all are welcome and where kids can try new things, laugh with each other and learn how to laugh at themselves.
Carson’s team is led by two managers.They are seniors who have gone through the program and were elected to run the practices and organize the games.
Carson High Senior, Mia Molina, one of the co-managers said, “Being able to run a practice is quite hard. Managers must work closely together in order to put together a set schedule.”
The managers are also expected to make connections and contact other high schools to organize home and away games along with introducing games to the students who attend practices every week.
“[Teaching and creating the agenda] is the hardest thing we do. We basically act as teachers and try to give our “students” the best possible lesson to improve their improv.” she explains.
Team advisor, Mrs. Barryte keeps in close touch with the managers and help them to approve dates for games and outside activities. An example is the semi-annual GameCon, which is a Comedysportz conference where all the High School League teams gather and play improv games together and take classes taught by professionals who play at the El Portal Theater. Five times throughout the year, one of the professionals comes to the school and teaches improv workshops to Carson’s team.
Carson High’s Comedysportz team practices after school on Tuesdays from 5:00- 6:00pm. Being that there is no set curriculum and the basis of the club being making ideas up on the spot, they welcome anyone from any school or academy to join in on the fun. If you’re interested or want more information you can visit Mrs. Barryte in F2 or direct message @chs.comedysportz on Instagram. They’d be happy to answer any questions you have. For a better taste of the program and for the loyal fans, they are announcing their first home game of the year on October 17th at 6pm in the MPR.
Comentarios