National Theatresports Champs

Teams

• The Court Jesters - Christchurch

  One of Aotearoa’s longest-running improv companies, The Court Jesters have been making Christchurch laugh for decades. For the Championship battle they’ve brought out four of their finest (who weren’t booked for corporate work): Emma Brittenden, Jeff Clark, Robbie Hunt and Jarred Skelton.

  With razor-sharp wits and lightning-fast comic timing forged through innumerable "Scared Scriptless" performances, this awesome foursome of comedy Crusaders are bringing their A-game (and having fun playing it).

  The Jesters may have the hometown advantage, but they're not taking anything for granted. They’re coming in fast, funny and fierce!

• SpontaneoUS – Palmerston North

  SpontaneoUS is sending its three most ruthless improvisers. Alan Dingley is a Librarian full of issues. His method of collecting fines has been banned in 132 countries. Leona Revell is our Mistress of Mayhem, our Diva of Destruction, and our current First Aid rep (as H & S is paramount)

  Ryan Knighton may be calm in the surface but beneath that exterior seethes a thirst for vengeance.....or perhaps just acceptance and a hug. Together they are not to be messed with. Just lob some Tequila at them and back away.

• WIT - Wellington

  Finally. WIT has come to Christchurcccccch! To face the best of the best, the pick of the litter, the cham of pions. For the hundreds in attendance and the millions who are sleeping, we are ready. We are ready to lay the smacketh down with our crash and burn spontaneity. If you smeeeeeellllll what WIT is cooking!

• Playshop – Wellington

  PlayShop is a Wellington performance company featuring a host of talented, improvisers, writers, actors, and comedians. Described as "a fun house party where everyone is invited", Playshop's shows are hilarious and thrilling. We are risk-takers, open to the limitless potential of every moment; enabling audiences to experience compelling stories and incomparable comedy. 

  With more star power than Ursa Minor and more skill than the 1996 Chicago Bulls, Playshop is ready to descend on Christchurch like a hurricane! 

• The People’s Republic of Improv – Nelson

  The People’s Republic of Improv (formerly known as Off the Cuff) are as potent and confusing as a spitefully deployed nuclear missile. Organised with the aim to redirect people’s understanding of improv theatre, they perform fortnightly at Nelson’s new Ghost Light theatre and specialise in character based, scenic narrative and long form genre shows. For this competition, PRI have pulled out the big bangers - sensitive Improv Junta, Christchurch’s very own Dan Allan; Sydney Improviser and RPI’s current Benevolent Dictator, Linda Calgaro and English Anarchist, mother of two, Nikkie Karki. This seemingly smiley superpower comes ready to lovingly explode the hearts and minds of our Christchurch public and comrades. Also available for children’s parties.

   

• The Improvisors - Wellington
• ConArtists - Auckland

  Clare, Lori and Simon have 100 years of improv experience between them.  Clare was the first producer for Theatresports Auckland (now ConArtists), 1987, Lori the first Artistic Director for the Improvisors in Wellington, 1990 but was with Vancouver Theatresports League eight years before and Simon was one of the first players to be bitten by the improv bug in 1988.  Improv has been a constant joy over these years and we've explored long form, short form, in the style of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Enid Blyton, Charles Dickens... Having lots of naps to prepare for Christchurch.   

• Team Jester Apprentice – Christchurch

  The Court Jester Apprentices are the freshest faced, fleekiest browed, cute af members on the Christchurch improv scene. Caitlyn O'Rourke, Gabby Wakefield, Jake Danson and Millie Hanford are the most recent initiates of the Jesters hazing process and are totes ready to take the stage to compete in this year's championship. Watch out. We're the theatre kids they warned you about.