Labor Day weekend marks three nights of improvisational comedy shows offered by some of the best performers in the West at Laughstock, the Livery Theatre's seventh annual comedy improv festival hosted by Ventura TheatreSports.

The laughs extend from Fri. to Sun., Sept. 1 to 3 at Livery Theatre, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. This year's festival schedules a marathon of shows all weekend long starting Friday 6 p.m. to midnight, moving on to Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and finishing with the Sunday "Master of the Universe" grand finale from 6 to 10 p.m.

This year's festival is also going international with the attendance of Rapid Fire Theatre, a TheatreSports group from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Audiences will witness some of the most talented improvisational troupes from Seattle to San Francisco, Los Angeles to San Diego, and all points between.

"Laughstock is an incredible opportunity to witness some of the best improv in the known universe," said Tom Mueller, director of Ventura Area TheatreSports

and the Livery Theatre. "Not only that, but it gives the performers a chance to come together, exchange ideas, and strengthen our thriving improv community."

The theme for this year's show is "Rumble in the Comedy Jungle," reflecting the competitive nature of the TheatreSports comedy improv format created by Keith Johnstone.

Some of the shows to be presented include team matches, in which two groups of improvisers are challenged to create scenes based on the same suggestions; Free for All, where representatives from all the visiting groups have a chance to perform together; and Last Improviser Standing, a Survivor-style elimination show, where only the best and funniest remain to the end.

Teens and young adults from all over Southern California will be participating in special youth showcases throughout the weekend. Straight Up Reality Improv, a Ventura County youth initiative, will present innovative Social Change theatre.

For further information, visit www.venturaimprov.com or call (805) 643-5701.