LA ACTING SCHOOLS

Magnolia Park, Burbank 路 Improv and sketch, Comedy technique

CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles

LA's longest-running improv show and its school, founded 1988 by James Thomas Bailey: a 101-401 short-form curriculum with published prices, a $65 one-day intensive, and the largest US high school improv league.

NeighborhoodMagnolia Park, Burbank
TechniquesImprov and sketch, Comedy technique
Founded1988
Price band$

ComedySportz has been playing competitive short-form improv in Los Angeles since 1988, which makes it the city's longest-running improv show, and CSz LA's training center has fed that stage the whole time. Founder James Thomas Bailey still serves as artistic director.

The adult curriculum ladders through 101 Improv Toolbox ($275 published) to 401 Performance and Games, one two-hour session a week, minimum age 17, with a $65 one-day intensive as the lowest-commitment taste of team-based improv in this directory. Graduates can join the Rec League, playing actual ComedySportz matches on the mainstage four seasons a year, a performance carrot most improv schools cannot offer. The High School League, CSz LA's flagship youth program, fields clean-comedy teams across five Southern California counties.

One transition note: the company left its former North Hollywood venue and since 2025 performs as a visiting production at the LA Connection Comedy Theatre in Burbank, with a permanent home pending and live shows resuming in September after a summer break. Classes and the league continue through it; confirm current class venues when enrolling. Corporate training and virtual formats fill out a very durable operation.

Techniques taught

  • Improv and sketch: Improvisation and sketch training: agreement, spontaneity, and ensemble play.
  • Comedy technique: Craft-first comedy training: joke structure, sitcom rhythm, and comedic character work.

Class types

Enrollment and schedule

No audition is required. Ages 17+; prerequisites by level; Rec League needs 401 completion and director invitation. Schedule: Classes once a week, 2 hours/session; one-day 3-hour Toolbox Intensive option; Rec League plays 4 seasons/year on the mainstage. Live shows on summer break as of July 2026, returning September..

Audit, trial, or intro class

102 One-Day Intensive ($65) functions as a low-commitment 3-hour intro

Published pricing

ProgramPublished priceSource, as of
101 Improv Toolbox$275source 路 2026-07-16
102 One-Day Intensive$65source 路 2026-07-16
201 Characters and Relationships$300 ($275 advance)source 路 2026-07-16
301 Spacework and Physical Storytelling$300 ($275 advance)source 路 2026-07-16
401 Performance and Games$300 ($275 advance)source 路 2026-07-16

Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.

Instructors

  • James Thomas Bailey, Founder / Artistic Director & Producer. contact james@cszla.com per comedysportz.com
  • Anne Etue, Creative Services (corporate/groups). anne@cszla.com

Location

Questions actors ask

Where is CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles located?
3435 Magnolia Blvd (performs at LA Connection Comedy Theater), Burbank, CA 91505 (Magnolia Park, Burbank).
What acting technique does CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles teach?
Improv and sketch, Comedy technique.
Is CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles suitable for beginners?
Yes. The school lists beginner-level entry points (Ages 17+; prerequisites by level; Rec League needs 401 completion and director invitation).
How much do classes at CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles cost?
Published prices as of 2026-07-16: 101 Improv Toolbox: $275; 102 One-Day Intensive: $65; 201 Characters and Relationships: $300 ($275 advance). Confirm current rates with the school.
Does CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles offer online classes?
Yes, alongside in-person training.
Does CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles teach children or teenagers?
High School League: largest high-school improv training program in the US, teams across five SoCal counties, clean/kind humor; contact hsl@cszla.com. Kids' and family EVENTS offered but no kids classes listed.
Is admission to CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles by audition?
No audition is required. Ages 17+; prerequisites by level; Rec League needs 401 completion and director invitation.
Who teaches at CSz Los Angeles, Home of ComedySportz Los Angeles?
James Thomas Bailey, Anne Etue.
When was this information last verified?
2026-07-16, from the sources listed on this page. Spotted something out of date? Use the correction link on this page.

Sources and verification

Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.

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