CSz Philadelphia

What CSz Philadelphia does

CSz Philadelphia (ComedySportz of Philadelphia, Inc.) is a privately held live entertainment and education company founded in 1992 and operating a 100-seat, ADA-accessible black-box theater at 2030 Sansom Street in the Adrienne Theater, Rittenhouse section of Center City Philadelphia. The company's core product is the ComedySportz format — a competitive improvisational comedy show in which two teams play audience-driven improv games governed by a referee — supplemented by rotating themed productions (TV Power Hour, Murder Manor, Hallmarkable, Detective Improv, Improv Double Feature, Yes and the City, PRIDE & Prejudice) staged Friday through Sunday. CSz Philadelphia is a franchise member of CSz Worldwide, a network of 24 ComedySportz companies spanning the US and Europe.

The company operates six distinct revenue streams: live theater ticketing (consumer), The Philadelphia School of Improv (multi-level tuition-based classes in short-form and long-form improv), Applied Improv corporate training and team building, road shows and private events at client locations, theater rentals, and improv parties. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer ticketing (via vbotickets.com and box office), direct enterprise sales for corporate engagements, community-led growth through the in-house improv school, and content marketing through a blog, email newsletters, social media, and co-produced improv festivals (Yo Adrienne Improv Festival, Longform Mini Festival). Named enterprise customers span pharmaceuticals (AstraZeneca, Merck), financial services (Vanguard, ZS Associates), media (Comcast NBCUniversal), energy (Sunoco), food (Campbell Soup), healthcare, and education institutions. CSz Philadelphia employs 12 people, and financial information is not publicly disclosed.

Name

CSz Philadelphia

Legal name

ComedySportz of Philadelphia, Inc.

Website

https://comedysportzphilly.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CSz Philadelphia operates a 100-seat improv comedy theater at the Adrienne Theater in Center City Philadelphia, founded in 1992 as a franchise of CSz Worldwide. The company produces live ComedySportz shows, runs the Philadelphia School of Improv, and delivers applied improv corporate team building and entertainment services across the Mid-Atlantic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Comedy Entertainment & Improv Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Improv Comedy Performances (MPAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comedy Clubs (Nightlife Venues) (MPAGAIAH), Comedy Club & Showcase Nights (MPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Live improv comedy
• Comedy theater shows
• Corporate team building
• Improv education classes
• Applied improv training

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Live Theater Shows: Ticket sales for weekly ComedySportz matches and special productions at their 100-seat theater. Shows run Friday through Sunday with various formats including ComedySportz, TV Power Hour, Murder Manor, Hallmarkable, and other themed improv productions.
2. Improv Classes: The Philadelphia School of Improv offers multi-level curricula in both ComedySportz (short form) and Long Form improv. Classes run in 8-week semesters with tuition pricing. Students receive free ComedySportz tickets as a perk.
3. Corporate Team Building & Training: Applied Improv Programs for corporate clients focusing on skills like listening, collaboration, adaptability, and communication. Programs include workshops, boot camps, and custom corporate training sessions.
4. Road Shows & Private Events: ComedySportz matches performed at client locations (corporate events, schools, private parties) or in their theater for private groups. Packages include Full Court Match, Half-Court Match, Exhibition, and Parlor Show formats.
5. Theater Rentals: Their 1375 sq ft black box theater (100-seat capacity) is available for rental for rehearsals, shows, private parties, and corporate events.
6. Improv Parties: Party packages for kids (45-minute workshops) and adults (60-90 minute workshops) where instructors teach improv games and lead competitive activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CSz Philadelphia runs a dedicated 100-seat comedy theater producing weekly live competitive improvisational comedy shows (headlined by ComedySportz, Philadelphia's longest-running comedy show) along with rotating themed long-form productions. The company also operates The Philadelphia School of Improv, offering multi-level improv education, and sells Applied Improv corporate team-building workshops, road shows, theater rentals, and improv party packages.

Product overview

CSz Philadelphia operates as a comedy theater and improvisation school offering a portfolio of live entertainment products and corporate training services. The core product is ComedySportz, a competitive improv comedy show running since 1992, complemented by rotating specialty shows including TV Power Hour, Murder Manor, Hallmarkable, Detective Improv, and Improv Double Feature. Educational offerings include The Philadelphia School of Improv with ComedySportz and Long Form curriculum tracks. Business services encompass Applied Improv Corporate Training, ComedySportz Road Shows, School Assemblies, and Improv Parties. The company operates a 100-seat theater at 2030 Sansom Street and is part of CSz Worldwide, a global network in 24 cities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ComedySportz: The flagship competitive improv comedy show format featuring two teams competing in improv games, referee-governed matches held every Saturday. Described as Philadelphia's longest-running comedy show since 1992.
• The Philadelphia School of Improv (PSI)
• Applied Improv Programs

Products and services

• ComedySportz Philadelphia's longest-running competitive improv comedy show since 1992. Two teams compete through improvised games with a referee governing the match; audience provides suggestions, awards points, and may join on stage. Runs weekly at the 100-seat Adrienne Theater.
• Yes and the City Improvised parody homage to Sex and the City featuring wigs, cosmopolitans, and friendship themes, performed on three Friday evenings plus a Sunday matinee.
• PRIDE & Prejudice: The Unofficial Queer Parody Queer parody staged-reading adaptation of the 2005 Pride & Prejudice screenplay celebrating Pride Month.
• Murder Manor Fully improvised murder mystery show in its 9th year, based on Clue game conventions with audience participation to determine the murderer.
• Hallmarkable Improvised Hallmark holiday movie parody where audience suggestions create the title and entire plot of a holiday romance, performed seasonally.
• TV Power Hour Longform comedy show presenting improvised parodies of favorite television shows including The Sopranos and Real Housewives of Philadelphia, performed on the 3rd and 4th Fridays at 9PM.
• Improv Double Feature Longform improv show featuring rotating teams performing interconnected narratives based on audience suggestions, performed the first two Fridays of each month.
• Detective Improv Improvised film noir parody featuring a down-on-their-luck detective solving crimes guided by audience suggestions.
• Second Sunday Story Slam at Six Community open-mic storytelling show where participants deliver 5-minute prepared stories on monthly themes with cash prizes.
• The Philadelphia School of Improv Improv education program with multi-level curriculum tracks for ComedySportz (short-form), Long Form, Workshop to Performance, and Youth. Classes run in 8-week semesters with tuition pricing and early bird discounts; students receive free ComedySportz tickets as a perk.
• Applied Improv Corporate Training Applied Improv Programs for corporate clients focusing on skills like listening, collaboration, adaptability, and communication. Programs include workshops, boot camps, and custom corporate training sessions for Fortune 500, mid-market, and nonprofit organizations.
• ComedySportz Road Shows Mobile ComedySportz matches performed at client locations for corporate events, schools, private parties, and fundraisers. Packages include Full Court Match, Half-Court Match, Exhibition, and Parlor Show formats.
• School Assemblies Age-appropriate improv comedy performances and workshops for elementary, middle, and high schools, delivered on-site at the school.
• Holiday Parties Corporate holiday entertainment packages featuring ComedySportz matches at client locations or in their 100-seat theater.
• Improv Parties Interactive party packages teaching improv games and leading competitive activities for kids (45-minute) and adults (60-90 minute) at client locations.
• Girl Scout Workshops Badge-earning improv workshops for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey covering Public Speaker and Troupe Performer badges.
• Theater Rentals Rental of the 1375 sq ft black box theater (100-seat capacity) at 2030 Sansom Street for rehearsals, shows, private parties, and corporate events. The venue is ADA accessible and equipped with lights, sound, AC/heat, private bathrooms, and an HD projector.
• Dual Duel Recurring improv tournament where teams of two compete head-to-head for bragging rights and a $250 prize.
• Longform Mini Festival Improv festival featuring comedy acts and teams with performance slots ranging 15-40 minutes, showcasing longform improv talent.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced alumni performers who now perform in main CSz companies and other Philadelphia improv theaters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CSz WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSz Philadelphia is a franchise location of CSz Worldwide, a global network of ComedySportz companies operating in 24 cities across the US and Europe. The network provides shared resources, best practices, training, and brand recognition for organizations needing entertainment, training, and events marketing solutions.
• Girl Scouts of Eastern PennsylvaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern PA and Southern New Jersey to provide improv badge programs. CSz delivers workshops helping scouts earn Public Speaker and Troupe Performer badges while learning improv skills and collaboration.
• Girl Scouts of Southern New JerseyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern PA and Southern New Jersey to provide improv badge programs. CSz delivers workshops helping scouts earn Public Speaker and Troupe Performer badges while learning improv skills and collaboration.
• Yo Adrienne Improv FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSz Philadelphia is a co-producer of the Yo Adrienne Improv Festival, which brings together over 30 teams, master teachers, and comedy lovers from across the country. The festival celebrates improv, community, and spirit while shining a spotlight on Philadelphia's creative community.
• CSz Network Cities (24 locations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of CSz franchise locations including Boise, Chicago, Boston, Berlin (Germany), Los Angeles, Houston, Buffalo, Manchester (UK), Portland, Indianapolis, Detroit, Provo, Milwaukee, New York City, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Richmond, San Jose, Seattle, New Orleans, Quad Cities, Washington DC, San Antonio, and Dallas. Locations share resources, training, and best practices under the CSz Worldwide umbrella.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Second City: National improv comedy institution with theaters, training centers, and corporate communications programs across multiple cities. A broad incumbent that competes for both consumers and corporate training dollars at higher scale; CSz leadership includes Second City alumni, anchoring the connection.
• Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB): Multi-city improv and sketch comedy theater and training school with shows, classes, and a national performer pipeline. Comparable as a brand-led improv school-and-theater operator; broader geographic footprint than CSz Philadelphia but similar training-plus-shows business model.
• iO Theater (Chicago): Long-running improv theater and school offering long-form training, shows, and corporate workshops. Direct format competitor in improv education and live performance; broader national brand but identical core offering.

Direct peers

• CSz New York: Sister CSz Worldwide franchise in the New York metro. Identical ComedySportz format, training, and corporate program model — directly comparable in scale and revenue mix; both share brand and network resources.
• CSz Los Angeles: Sister CSz Worldwide franchise in the Los Angeles market operating the same competitive improv format, training programs, and corporate services. Direct peer by virtue of shared format, brand, and franchise economics in a different major market.
• Brave New Workshop: Long-running improv comedy theater and school in Minneapolis with a strong corporate training arm and sketch comedy tradition. Comparable mix of live shows, improv/skill classes, and Applied Improv-style business training.
• ImprovBoston: Independently operated improv comedy theater and training school in the Boston metro offering classes, live shows, and corporate workshops. Closely mirrors the CSz Philadelphia model (theater + school + Applied Improv corporate work) in a different regional market.
• CSz Chicago: Sister CSz Worldwide franchise operating the same competitive ComedySportz improv format in Chicago. The closest direct peer — identical format, network-shared training, comparable theater-and-school model, similar corporate training offering.
• Philly Improv Theater (PHIT): Philadelphia-based independent improv theater and training school offering live shows, classes, and corporate training. Direct local competitor — overlapping audience, talent pool, and corporate clients; notable because PHIT's Corporate Training executive is a former CSz Philadelphia leader.

Regional players

• Helium Comedy Club: Multi-city comedy club chain producing stand-up and improv shows with food & beverage. Competes for the same Philadelphia live-entertainment consumer dollar but with a stand-up-leaning format and stronger bar/restaurant economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csz-philadelphia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CSz Philadelphia