By Lucian KUGLER

On Friday evening, May 26, Crescenta Valley High School (CVHS) held its final Comedy Sportz match of the semester in the school’s Underground Theatre. Comedy Sportz, a competitive improvisational comedy show, has become a staple of CVHS’ entertainment repertoire, showcasing the talent and comedic timing of its student performers.

Comedy Sportz is a fast-paced, interactive comedy show where two teams of comedic improvisers compete against each other in various challenges. The performers create scenes, skits and songs on the spot, relying solely on their wit and creativity. The show’s history at CVHS dates back to 1998 when the first Comedy Sportz team was established and, since then, it has garnered a dedicated following.

This highly anticipated final game of the semester was officiated by Zach

Timson, a CVHS Comedy Sportz team alumnus and recent college graduate. Timson’s return to his alma mater added an extra layer of excitement to the evening. Joining him were two additional team alumni, J.D. Dunkin and Sarah Levering, who played during the seniors’ match. 

The seniors’ match, featuring graduating members of the Comedy Sportz team, was a highlight of the evening. The performers impressed the audience with their quick wit, hilarious skits and impeccable comedic timing. The energy in the auditorium was high as the students demonstrated their growth and maturity as improvisers.

In an interview with CVW, Timson, the evening’s referee, expressed how pleased he was at seeing the seniors’ progress.

“The best part of the night was seeing how far these seniors have grown as improvisers; it’s truly amazing,” he said. “I graduated from this school and [recently] graduated from college. Coming back here as this group is graduating and seeing how far they’ve come and how amazing their show was just made me really proud of them all.”

Gavin Hall is the teacher in charge of the Comedy Sportz team. He echoed Timson’s sentiments: “Ditto.”

The collaboration between Hall and the talented performers has been instrumental in the team’s success, fostering an environment where creativity – and laughter – thrive.

Another highlight of the evening was the expansive audience participation. Spectators were encouraged to suggest scenes, provide keywords and even jump on stage to participate in the skits. The performers skillfully incorporated these suggestions, creating unique moments that had the crowd in fits of laughter. The seniors’ match showcased the growth and talent of the graduating improvisers and the show’s high energy, abundant audience participation and comedic ability left a lasting impression on all who attended.