Longform Mini Festival

Join us for CSz Philadelphia’s first-ever Longform Mini Festival—a weekend packed with improv performances, workshops, and community connection! Whether you're an improv comedian or a fan of unscripted comedy, this festival is your chance to dip your toe or dive right in to the world of longform improv.

Enjoy captivating performances from both veteran teams and fresh, new, innovative acts, showcasing diverse formats and narratives that will keep you laughing.

For improvisers, we’re offering workshops led by experienced instructors covering everything from character development to scene work, helping you sharpen your skills and explore new techniques. It's a perfect opportunity to experiment, receive valuable feedback, and grow in a supportive environment.

Comedy fans, come experience the magic of creativity and spontaneity as performers craft hilarious and heartfelt stories right before your eyes.

The Longform Mini Festival is a celebration of comedy and comity—whether you’re performing or just enjoying the show, you won’t want to miss it!

Our Theater

Our 100-seat theater is comedy-intimate and ADA accessible. You get great sight-lines, comfy seats, private bathrooms, and a concessions stand with moderately-priced snacks and drinks. Everything you need is conveniently located in our space.

Well, almost everything.

We don’t serve alcohol. (Thanks, Quakers!)

But we are BYOB, that means no markup on liquor. (Thanks, Quakers!)

Don’t wait too long or you’ll come up short missing out on comedy! Get your tickets now for the Longform Mini Festival!

Come vibe out with CSz Education Director Siobhan O'Hara and Philly Improv powerhouse Tom Hannigan on Saturday, 2/1 from 3:30-5:30pm in the CSz Theater. No experience necessary!

Bring your laughs and good spirits as we celebrate our connections and try out fun new bits.

SOCIAL JAM

When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
Hosts: Siobhan O’Hara and Tom Hannigan
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom Street)
Fee: Free

This workshop will help students create richer characters by using their personal lives to inspire and broaden a character's point of view in scenes. We'll also focus on different ways to use backstory to justify a character's behavior and wants. By building out the world around the scene, characters will be more informed for both the performers and the audience.

DEEPER CHARACTERS

When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 11 am- 1 am
Instructor: Tom Hannigan
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom Street)
Fee: $35

Tom Hannigan (He/Him/His) is a comedian, writer, and filmmaker from Philadelphia. Tom is a graduate of The Second City's Film School and Conservatory programs. He has also studied and performed at The Annoyance Theater, The iO Theater, The Magnet Theater, and The Philly Improv Theater. You can currently see Tom performing around the city with SUSpacious, GASP! An Improvised Murder Mystery, and in his mash-up improv show Super Human Horse at the Sawubona Creativity Project. Outside of improv, Tom is also a producer with the award-winning Case Comedy in West Philadelphia and the Talkin 2024 podcast.

Feel like your scenes never quite go anywhere? Or it feels like trudging through mud right after getting a suggestion?

In this Starting Scenes workshop, you'll find new ways of moving through scenes that’ll help you find deeper truths and bigger laughs right from the first few crucial seconds. Make use of creating characters, heighten your object and environment work, embody powerful emotions, and play game and gimmick that adds to the moment.

Improvisers have said about this workshop:

• "Bring a notepad and pen!!" - Holly

• "Lots of gems dropped!" - Michael

• "Be yourself. Jake will see your strengths and areas of improvement to make you even better." - Alexa

• "I think I finally got over the hurdle of feeling like my voice shouldn't be heard." - Cindy

STARTING SCENES

When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 1:15 pm- 3:15 pm
Instructor: Jake Lucas
Location: CSz Mainstage (2030 Sansom Street)
Fee: $35

Jake Lucas (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary artist, educator, and improviser based in Philly since 2016 and is the current Artistic Director of CSz Philly. Jake’s specialty in play, game, and social and emotional learning (SEL) helps ensure everyone can put the imp in impulse. They have devised, consulted, and instructed with the City of Philadelphia, Playworks, Pseudonym Productions, UArts, Swim Pony Performing Arts, American Immersion Theater, and more. You can see them performing improv in the cast of: ComedySportz Philly, RollPlay, Hallmarkable, Mirror Zone, Be Kind, Game Night, The Neighborhood, and more!