Behind the Laughter
After school, prospective ComedySportz members gather for two nights of improv games and observation. Groups of four perform short scenes while the returning team members take notes on their creativity, adaptability and teamwork.
“We have all the people trying out get into groups of four,” said returning ComedySportz team member, junior Oliver Ventura. “We watch how they do in scenes, if they listen, if they say ‘yes, and’, if they use space work. We’re not judging who’s amazing right away. We’re looking for who can learn.”
ComedySportz Manager, senior Livi Gaeta, confirmed this.
“The main thing we look for is potential. We know that nobody is going to show up and be perfect right off the bat. We want to look for people who show promise,” Gaeta said.
Returning members don’t just observe, they also help facilitate the games to ensure auditioners get a fair chance to shine.
“Sometimes if a group’s short on people, one of us will step in,” Ventura said. “Our job is to make the auditioners look good, not steal the scene. We want to see what they can do.”
For senior Nora Farkas, finally auditioning this year was a long time coming.
“I’ve always been interested in ComedySportz,” Farkas said. “But my schedule never really worked until this year. I was nervous people would think it was weird joining so late, but everyone was super nice.”
For Farkas, the experience was equal parts thrilling and intimidating,
“Learning to roll with whatever happens was the biggest lesson,” Farkas said. “You have to overcome the fear of making a fool of yourself. Once you realize everyone’s just trying to have fun, it’s freeing.”
Returning members don’t just observe, they also help facilitate the games to ensure auditioners get a fair chance to shine.
“Sometimes if a group’s short on people, one of us will step in,” Ventura said. “Our job is to make the auditioners look good, not steal the scene. We want to see what they can do.”
For senior Nora Farkas, finally auditioning this year was a long time coming.
“I’ve always been interested in ComedySportz,” Farkas said. “But my schedule never really worked until this year. I was nervous people would think it was weird joining so late, but everyone was super nice.”
For Farkas, the experience was equal parts thrilling and intimidating,
“Learning to roll with whatever happens was the biggest lesson,” Farkas said. “You have to overcome the fear of making a fool of yourself. Once you realize everyone’s just trying to have fun, it’s freeing.”
For freshman Sophia Russo, the nerves were just as real, but so was the excitement.
“I first heard about the team through my friend, because her sister was on it,” Russo said. “I went to some games, and it became my goal to be on the team ever since.”
Even with Russo’s prior improv experience, auditioning under pressure was a new challenge.
“The nerves really got to me,” said Russo. “I’ve done improv before, but never competitively. It was scary at first.”
Still, Russo has powerful advice for any other students thinking of joining ComedySportz:
“Don’t second-guess yourself. A joke you think is stupid might make the audience laugh. Just be confident and move the scene along.”
The team’s veterans record notes on each performer, then vote and discuss together after auditions.
“We each write down what we noticed. If votes are split, we talk it through until we agree. Everyone’s voice matters.”
Once the roster is set, the newly minted players join twice-weekly practices packed with warm-ups, games and laughter. They learn structure, how to build scenes with clear relationships, conflict and purpose, and they build confidence.
“The hardest part,” Russo said. “Is remembering everything you have to include in a scene, relationships, conflict and character. It’s a lot to juggle while staying funny.”
For Farkas, her background in theatre and choir helped her adjust.
“Being on stage regularly made me more comfortable,” Farkas said. ”It’s helped me relax and focus on having fun.”
Both Farkas and Russo said that the older players made them feel immediately welcome.
“I was scared it would be hard to connect with upperclassmen,” Russo said. ”But everyone’s been so kind and encouraging. They made me feel like I belong.”
That sense of belonging is intentional.
“We want everyone to feel part of a positive, energetic environment,” Ventura said. “When people feel supported, their confidence and stage presence grow.”
For new members, ComedySportz has already changed their school year.
“I’ve had more things to look forward to, which helps with senioritis,” Farkas said. ”And I’ve made so many new friends.”
“It’s made me more confident,” Russo said. ”I wish I’d known how much fun it would be.”
Growth is exactly why the team values potential so highly.
“People come in nervous, but a few months later they’re leading games, cracking jokes and hyping others up,” Ventura said. “Watching that transformation is the best part.”
Ventura also offered simple advice to anyone thinking about auditioning next year:
“Have fun. That’s really it. Enjoy the process, make mistakes and laugh at them. That’s what ComedySportz is about.”
At its heart, OPHS ComedySportz isn’t just an after-school club. It’s a place where laughter builds confidence and community. The players learn to take risks and support each other.
In the end, the road to ComedySportz is not just finding the funniest students, but the ones brave enough to step into the spotlight, say “yes, and…?” keep the laughter going.
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