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Julia Nathan

Comedy clubs such as Brave New Workshop and Comedy Sportz provide a unique place for participation, thinking and laughing.

Since 1958, the Brave New Workshop has showcased satirical shows and offered improv classes, making it the oldest comedy theatre in the country.

Rachel Levitt, the Marketing Campaign Manager at Brave New Workshop, is in charge of making sure high schoolers get an opportunity to take classes at the Brave New Workshop’s Student Union.

“Once they have enough experience, they can sign up for our Performance Track classes, in which students get a chance to perform for friends and family at the end of each session, Levitt said.

The Brave New Workshop’s mainstage productions are for teen and adults ages 14 and up and improv classes are for ages nine and up. Admission ranges from $18 to $36. Students receive a $4 discount.

For sophomore Elise Bargman, comedy has always sparked an interest. Already involved in school theater, Elise wanted to express her onstage talents in a new way.

Last summer Bargman joined an improv team of 30 other aspiring comedians offered by the Brave New Workshop. According to Bargman, they put on performances the first Sunday of every month for family and friends.

“The people there are hilarious and I love the supportive environment that the improv team offers,” Bargman said.

Since 1984, Comedy Sportz has been providing a clean positive entertainment for all walks of life.

Comedy Sportz is located in Uptown, Minneapolis and produces an amusing atmosphere for it’s audience by creating a strong connection from the actor to the audience. Unlike other comedy shows, Comedy Sportz is all improvisation.

Doug O’Car is co-owner of Comedy Sportz and is committed to getting kids involved in comedy workshops and improv groups.

In addition to comedy shows, Comedy Sportz offers everything from improvisation classes for high schoolers to private performances at schools in town and out of town.

“We provide private matches for schools and religious organizations, offer classes in improvisation at several levels for adults, provide private programs for high school comedy teams to train and perform and we are currently working with the Autism Society of Minnesota to provide a class experience for young adults at our theater,” O’Car said.

The show is geared toward all audiences from the whole family to a group of friends.

“Our Comedy Sportz match is for everyone at every age. Our shows include adult age humor, but again are for everyone,” O’Car said.