ComedySportz
CSz Twin Cities is a single-location, franchised improv comedy theater in Minneapolis-St. Paul operating since 1989. It performs competitive ComedySportz shows, teaches progressive improv classes, and delivers private events and corporate team building workshops in-person and virtually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What ComedySportz does
ComedySportz, operating legally as CSz Twin Cities, is a privately held, single-location improv comedy theater founded in 1989 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. It is a member of the CSz Worldwide franchise network, which spans more than 25 U.S. and European cities performing the ComedySportz format — a competitive improv comedy show where two teams of actors create short games and scenes on the spot from audience suggestions to earn points. The company performs from Strike Theater at 824 NE 18th Ave in Northeast Minneapolis, hosting matches on the 2nd and 4th weekends each month.
The core product portfolio is built on three pillars: (1) public ComedySportz matches ticketed through Tempotickets at the Strike Theater venue; (2) an 8-week progressive improv education program (Levels 101-301, plus a $35 sample intro class) that culminates in a showcase performance; and (3) private and corporate event engagements (30-90 minutes, in-person or virtual), including Applied Improvisation team building workshops targeting soft-skill development such as communication, leadership, and creativity. The technology backbone is intentionally minimal — a Wix-hosted website, the Tempotickets ticketing integration, and outbound phone-based booking (612.870.1230). There are no disclosed software products, API surfaces, patents, or AI/ML components; the underlying "technology" is the proprietary ComedySportz competitive-improv format itself, originated by the franchise network.
Revenue is generated through four transactional streams: per-show ticket sales, per-learner class tuition (e.g., $170 for a 6-week Level 101 course), customized private event fees (quote-based, undisclosed), and corporate team building / improv training workshops. The go-to-market combines event-driven consumer attendance at Strike Theater, sales-led direct outreach (phone, website contact, referrals) for corporate private events, and community-led class registration that doubles as a performer talent pipeline. Named enterprise customers include 3M, Target, Cargill, US Bank, General Mills, Wells Fargo, and Martin Luther College. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, and no external funding, venture backing, or acquisition activity is disclosed.
ComedySportz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ComedySportz
- Legal name
- CSz Twin Cities
- Website
- https://csztwincities.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CSz Twin Cities is a single-location, franchised improv comedy theater in Minneapolis-St. Paul operating since 1989. It performs competitive ComedySportz shows, teaches progressive improv classes, and delivers private events and corporate team building workshops in-person and virtually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ComedySportz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Improv Comedy Entertainment
- NAICS
- Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Improv Comedy Performances (MPAGACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ), Comedy Club & Showcase Nights (MPAGACAE)
Keywords
Where ComedySportz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
ComedySportz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public Show Tickets: Ticket sales for ComedySportz matches at Strike Theater, typically held on 2nd and 4th weekends. Early bird pricing available for advance online purchases.
- Private Event Booking: Customized ComedySportz shows brought to customer locations (corporate events, schools, churches, fundraisers). Shows range 30-90 minutes, tailored to fit any budget or event type. Both in-person and virtual options available.
- Team Building Workshops: Applied Improvisation workshops for corporate teams, delivered on-location or virtually. Instructors work with groups on soft skills including creativity, teamwork, leadership, and communication.
- Improv Classes: 8-week improv classes (Levels 101-301) teaching basics of improv and ComedySportz. Classes encourage quick thinking, bold choices, agreement and building, confidence, listening, and embracing failures. Final week features a showcase performance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Improv 101 Sample Class - single 2-hour intro class |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CSz Level 101 - 6-week beginner course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CSz Level 201 - 6-week intermediate course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CSz Level 301 - advanced polish course |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Private Events - customized ComedySportz shows |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
ComedySportz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CSz Twin Cities performs competitive improv comedy shows under the proprietary ComedySportz format, in which two teams of actors play short games and scenes based on audience suggestions to earn points. The company also offers private customized shows brought to customer locations, progressive improv education classes (Levels 101–301 plus a sample intro class), and applied improvisation workshops adapted for corporate team building and business soft-skills training, delivered in-person or virtually.
Product overview
ComedySportz operates as a single-location improv comedy theater offering a portfolio of related products centered on its flagship ComedySportz show format — competitive improv comedy played like a sport with two teams performing audience-suggestion-based games and scenes. The company provides three core offerings: live ComedySportz performances (at Strike Theater and on-the-road), private/customized event shows, and structured improv education (classes Levels 101-301 plus a sample intro class). Business-oriented extensions include Applied Improvisation Team Building workshops and Improv Training for Business, which repurpose improv principles for corporate skill development. All offerings share the core ComedySportz brand and methodology and are available in-person or virtually.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use ComedySportz
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ComedySportz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
ComedySportz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Strike TheatercorePrimary performance and class venue partnership. Strike Theater provides the physical space for ComedySportz matches (every 2nd and 4th weekend) and improv classes. Located at 824 NE 18th Ave, Minneapolis with free parking and concessions. The venue hosts the company's regular performance schedule.
- CSz Worldwide (Franchise Network)coreCSz Twin Cities is part of CSz Worldwide, a franchise network of more than 25 cities in the U.S. and Europe performing ComedySportz. Network shares common core values of collaboration, inspiration, gratitude, and fun. Includes cities like Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Seattle, and Manchester (UK).
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ComedySportz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Florida Studio Theatre: Established regional theater producing improv and comedic programming for tourists and corporate groups; broader portfolio but overlapping use cases for entertainment and team-building.
- The Second City: Largest U.S. improv and comedy theater brand with national touring, training centers, and a corporate arm (Second City Works) that directly competes for the Applied Improvisation / team-building wallet.
Direct peers
- The Groundlings: LA-based improv and sketch comedy theater with a structured training program (levels analogous to CSz 101-301) and touring/private event bookings.
- CSz Worldwide (ComedySportz franchise network): Parent franchise network operating the ComedySportz format across 25+ cities. Identical product, audience-suggestion competitive improv, and shared brand standards make this the closest comparable entity.
- Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB): National improv and comedy brand operating theaters and training centers in NYC and LA; similar layered model of shows, classes, and corporate/private bookings.
- Unexpected Productions: Seattle-based improv theater offering audience-interactive shows, a multi-level training center, and corporate workshops. Closely mirrors the ComedySportz operating model.
- ImprovBoston: Regional improv comedy theater running shows, classes, and corporate training; comparable scale and product mix to ComedySportz Twin Cities.
- iO Theater: Long-running Chicago improv theater offering long-form shows and a training center. Comparable product mix (live shows + improv school) targeting similar consumer and corporate audiences.
Regional players
- Boom Chicago: Amsterdam-based improv and comedy theater performing in English with corporate team-building offerings; comparable format and corporate services but in a different geography.
Emerging players
- Second City Works: Corporate training arm of The Second City delivering Applied Improv workshops for soft skills — a more direct competitor specifically for CSz Twin Cities' highest-margin team-building revenue stream.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ComedySportz social profiles
Digital presenceComedySportz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ComedySportz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ComedySportz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ComedySportz M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ComedySportz
What does ComedySportz do?
CSz Twin Cities performs competitive improv comedy shows under the proprietary ComedySportz format, in which two teams of actors play short games and scenes based on audience suggestions to earn points. The company also offers private customized shows brought to customer locations, progressive improv education classes (Levels 101–301 plus a sample intro class), and applied improvisation workshops adapted for corporate team building and business soft-skills training, delivered in-person or virtually.
Is ComedySportz a public or private company?
ComedySportz is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ComedySportz founded?
ComedySportz was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ComedySportz based?
ComedySportz is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does ComedySportz make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Show Tickets are the primary driver. The others are private Event Booking, team Building Workshops and improv Classes.
Who are ComedySportz's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Florida Studio Theatre and The Second City. Direct peers are The Groundlings, CSz Worldwide (ComedySportz franchise network), Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Unexpected Productions, ImprovBoston and iO Theater. Boom Chicago is listed as a regional player. Second City Works is listed as an emerging player.
Does ComedySportz have an API?
No public API is recorded for ComedySportz.
What industry is ComedySportz in?
ComedySportz's product category is Live Improv Comedy Entertainment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGACAB, Improv Comedy Performances, with a secondary code of MPAGABAJ, Improvisational Theatre. Its NAICS code is 711 and its SIC code is 7900.