Meet My Speaker Friends

Courtney Pong

Courtney is the Owner and General Manager of CSz Boston, home to ComedySportz, as well as the owner of The Rozzie Square Theater, located in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston.

As a professional improviser for over 20 years, Courtney has designed and delivered keynotes and team building workshops and provided entertainment for companies like The Boston Red Sox, Bloomberg LP, and Northeastern University.

Since 2001, she has been a performer and educator with CSz Worldwide, which is home to the award-winning improv comedy show, ComedySportz, performed in 30 cities across the US and Europe.

Courtney hails from San Francisco and holds over a 15 years of experience in communication & public relations.

 

Claire Wilcher

Claire Wilcher is an educator, actor, director, and improviser. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University, where she specialized in acting and pedagogy. As a speaker/panelist at several national theatre conferences, Claire has led conversations geared toward embracing transparency, especially in the pursuit of diversity and intersectionality in creative spaces.

A true improviser at heart, and a teacher of improv for both actors and non-actors for nearly 20 years, Claire has a penchant for celebrating imperfection and the messiness of being a human. As a member of CSz Indianapolis, she has led workshops for dozens of companies including the Indiana Pacers, Eli Lilly, and Ivy Tech. She has also created spaces for empowering women and non-binary artists, having founded the Gal Pal Comedy Festival, CSz Women’s Weekend, and Man Overboard.

Claire insists on being in a constant state of learning. As a result, she is extensively trained in anti-racist teaching practices, bystander intervention skills, and is certified in Mental Health First Aid.

Chad Woodward

Chad has been performing improv comedy throughout Indianapolis and around the US for the past 15 years. During that time, he has helped program, plan, and organize dozens of improv-based education and training sessions. He is a seasoned coach and teacher, having worked with intro to improv and advanced improv courses alike. He also co-created and spearheaded the addition of intramural improv performances through ComedySportz Indianapolis, where he is an active cast member. He is also a founding member of sketch comedy group Three Dollar Bill Comedy and the improv theatre Red Curb Comedy.

Chad has a Masters in Business Administration, with focuses in Marketing and Nonprofit Management. He has worked as a professional speech and debate coach through the University of Indianapolis, where he specialized in impromptu speaking, persuasive speeches, and after dinner speaking. He is beyond excited to continue spreading the joy and power of improvisation.

Rich Baker

Rich Baker turns groups into teams.

As a keynote speaker and facilitator, Rich gives talks and leads workshops that focus on teambuilding and creativity to help strengthen your company culture and inspire your people.

He uses his years of experience as a professional improviser and instructor to help organizations of all kinds like Google, Good Rx, and the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Best of all, Rich makes it fun!

Author of the book Improv Made Easier and writer for the hit YouTube series Epic Rap Battles of History. Rich Baker has performed all over the U.S. with The Second City, ComedySportz Chicago, Mission Improvable, and Rollin’ In Riches.

Will Pfaffenberger

Will is the Owner and Artistic Director of Red Curb Comedy theatre. He is also a personality and producer of Indianapolis’ top morning radio show - The Smiley Morning Show on 99.5 WZPL. He has been professionally writing, performing, and producing comedy since 2004. He got his start in broadcast on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Show and on stage with ComedySportz Indianapolis. Since then, he has co-founded the Indianapolis renowned sketch and improv groups Fun Dumpster, Three Dollar Bill Comedy, and Dudesical, performed on many radio shows and comedy stages in the city.