Funny Biz: Part Deux

On Monday we ran a story about the growing stand-up scene in Richmond.

But stand-up isn’t the only funny business in town: A comedy style called improv is also experiencing a renaissance.

Improv is a style of comedy in which actors take suggestions from the audience and improvise scenes. ComedySportz has been putting on this type of show, with a sports-themed format, for more than a decade. With Christine Walters at the helm, the troupe performed at various spots around town before moving into its own venue, Comedy Alley at the Shops at Dumbarton Square, in 2001.

That venue closed in March, partly because of financial pressures. But the troupe is alive and well and is performing regularly at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, and this past weekend co-hosted the Richmond Improv Festival at Richmond Centerstage, attracting about 20 acts from around the country to perform for audiences and workshop together.

But when the venue first closed in March, a diaspora of improv actors formed, and a handful started their own troupes and started looking for spaces to perform in. Their search led them to the art galleries of Broad Street, where gallery owners were happy to lease the space on off nights when it would otherwise be sitting dark and empty.

One group, the Richmond Comedy Coalition, has about 10 core members, along with a cadre of other performers. The group formed in June and has performed about six shows between art6 and Gallery 5. Another group, Paradox Comedy, is also booking shows at art6.

While it is not a cash cow, the group runs the troupe like a business, creating a self-sustaining hobby of sorts.

“It works a lot like an indie band,” said Matt Newman, a founding member. “A split of the door money goes to the group, and the venue takes a portion of the sales.”

The venue’s share is typically a third, he said. He said the average show draws about 30 people, with a record of 80. The group charges a $5 admission. But instead of splitting up the money, the group plows the money back into the organization to spend on things like a website and advertising.

“The first show we split among the performers,” said David Pijor, another member. “But at five bucks a ticket, that’s about enough to buy a sandwich for each performer.”

Al Harris is a reporter for RichmondBizSense.com and used to ham it up as an improv actor at ComedySportz. E-mail story tips and jokes to al@richmondbizsense.com