About Us
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About Us? Glad you asked!
Welcome to The Comedy Arena — we're glad you're here.
Located in the heart of Downtown, McKinney, TX, The Comedy Arena is a three-story, one-of-a-kind performance venue that brings people together through laughter, creativity, and connection. Whether you're here for a high-energy improv show, a stand-up set from a national touring comedian who you've seen on TV, or a comedy class that unlocks your inner genius, we’ve got a seat just for you.
We believe comedy is more than just entertainment. It’s also community. Where people from all walks of life can come together to laugh. That’s why we don’t just showcase talent. We also cultivate, grow and nurture it! Through our acclaimed nonprofit 501(c)(3) Training Center, we offer improv, stand-up, storytelling and sketch comedy classes for all experience levels. It’s a space where beginners find confidence, pros sharpen their skills, and everyone learns the power of laughs.
Looking to celebrate with a crowd? The Comedy Arena is also the perfect spot for private events for large or small group outings. Whether you're planning a company party, a team-building workshop, a birthday bash, or just a night out with friends or loved ones, we’ll help you make it unforgettable and hilarious.
The Comedy Arena isn’t just a place to see a comedy show. It’s a place to feel a part of something. Whether you're attending a sold-out headliner set or popping in for a weekday comedy jam, you'll always be welcomed home like family. But the funny kind.
Come for the comedy. Stay for the community. Return for the vibe.
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How We Happened
Our Story? Sure!
Back when folks still had tape decks in their cars...
In the 90's, Von Daniel went to an improv audition because one of his friends didn't want to go by herself. Comedy wasn't new to Von. In fact, he had performed standup on various stages in New York opening up for comics like Tim Allen and Jim Gaffigan before moving to Dallas for an art career. Like many who take an improv class, Von fell in love with improv and was soon later cast and performing with ComedySportz in the Dallas West End. A few years later, ComedySportz was forced to close their doors and the performers were told to get their things before they were locked out. As Von and others from the ComedySportz ensemble sat at a bar, mourning their comedy home, it was agreed that none of them wanted to stop performing. So, the comedy troupe Locked OUT Comedy was born. Locked OUT Comedy performed at various stages throughout the metroplex and even had a monthly gig at the Dave & Busters showroom for a while. Following a performance at the Addison Improv on a Wednesday night, an epiphany occurred. There was no reason not to resurrect ComedySportz. It was an international brand, a show people knew of and liked and had values we all could relate to: Collaboration. Inspiration. Gratitude. And fun. And like a phoenix, Von, along with his best friend and now partner, Jared Berger, brought ComedySportz back to DFW
A few years later, after doing shows at places like the Addison Improv Comedy Club, Alamo Drafthouse and The Factory Theater, it was realized they could do more good in the world with they had their own performance space. Like a comedy community that provided a creative outlet for comics, artists, performers and where audiences could depend on consistent comedy shows and classes that would leave them feeling transformed for the better. They always wanted to do something in the comedy arena, hence, The Comedy Arena was born in 2017.Von and Jared continue to start from a place of yes to see where things take them. So far, they're pretty happy with all of the people they've had a chance to collaborate with, be inspired by, show gratitude towards and have fun with.
Who knew one little comedy class could lead to all of this?
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