Weekend entertainment does not get sweeter than the Saturday Comedy Sportz shows that Shore Thing Theater produces. This nonprofit’s productions bring local talents to the stage for a very friendly and very funny improv competition no one could resist loving. Read on to learn what audiences are in for and how to take classes with Shore Thing at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, located at 66 South Main Street in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
That’s Entertainment
Think comedy and the next thought isn’t usually “family friendly.” Shore Thing Theater’s weekly Comedy Sportz performances are totally fun and suitable for kids, grandparents, and coworkers. It’s also a hilariously good time. Nighttime activities that will appeal to everyone aren’t all that easy to find and scoring affordable fun is like finding Goldilock’s “just right” porridge. Shore Thing’s Saturday sets of silly games and witty banter — ticketed at “pay-what-you-can” with a suggested $15 for adults — make the shows popular and lively.
The format for each Saturday night performance is to face two improv teams against one another — team names like the Ocean Grooves and the Asbury Snarks set the tone. An improv “referee” announces the rules and gives out groaner fouls that place players in the “punalty” box as they perform six acts structured as the kinds of fast-paced games that likely inspires party parlor play for audience members. It’s a two-hour show, from 7:30PM until 9:30PM with an intermission in the middle. Audience members are pulled in from time to time in pain-free ways because the comedy troupe does all the work.
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Why This? Why Here?
Comedy Sportz is not unique to Ocean Grove. There are 30 venues using the game show improv structure around the world. Shore Thing Theater founder and director Ria Torricelli has a long history of working and performing with improv theaters that use the format, first in Portland, Oregon, and later in NYC. She’s currently the elected president of the council for Comedy Sportz worldwide.
Ria’s decision to bring the popular improv shows to the Shore came along with the realization that New Jersey sorely lacked theater schools dedicated solely to the art of improv. There are places to catch standup comedy. And there are theater programs that include a side of improv. But until Ria had her revelation that this endeavor would be a Shore Thing, there wasn’t a place in NJ where kids and adults could take multiple levels of classes to build the skills that make improv so much fun to watch. The classrooms and theater space her nonprofit company rents within the Jersey Shore Arts Center at 66 South Main Street have room for all of it.
The hunch that made Ria go full tackle on her improv theater dream was clearly correct. The classes and workshops provided at Shore Thing are regularly full with the listing of class options quickly expanding back to what was in place pre-COVID. The desire to play “yes and” on a stage seems to be pretty far-reaching and the reasons for this are obvious to Ria.
Shore Thing Classroom Shenanigans
Just like at the Saturday Sportz shows, no one will ever be turned away because they cannot afford to pay a Shore Thing class tuition. That policy is a result of Ria’s heartfelt belief that improv skills are not just fun and shouldn’t be an unattainable luxury. She’s convinced — and she’s not alone — that the arts are a mental health essential. Improv, specifically, provides gifts way beyond the belly laughs. The art form teaches skills great for learning new ways to communicate and understand others. The kind of empathetic intuition required to create an improv scene with a partner is possible for anyone to learn. Practicing that skill of building a scene through fast-paced, back-and-forth reactions helps improv students get out of their heads for a while and interact with people who become playmates as they make something entirely new (and often very goofy) together. Ria is quick to note that what makes it so fun is that the other players have your back when you’re nervous. Even in the Sportz competitions, everyone is a winner and no one is left out or made to feel less than perfect.
In her dream reality, Rai says elementary schools would include improv classes alongside PE and art. She sees the connections between the listening and active collaboration skills that come with improv performance and success in school, at work, and in relationships. She’s pretty sure that class gift certificates are just as perfect for a single mechanical engineer as for a full-time parent or a stressed-out CEO. Currently, Shore Thing provides adult (18+) introduction and intermediate improv classes; youth (ages 7-12) improv classes; teen (ages 13-17) improv classes, and business and community improv workshops.
Kids and adults are often nervous when they attend their first improv class. But Ria finds that it doesn’t take long for people of every age and demographic to remember that they do, in fact, know how to play pretend. “It’s no different from when you used to make stock soup at the playground. You just make it up as you go along and there’s really no such thing as failing. We are born with these skills, but we forget that it is OK to let our imaginations run,” Ria said.
With that as her guiding principle, Ria has set — as the next goal for Shore Thing — her attention on developing more of an expansive reach throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. She sees more community outreach programs with workshops in schools and community centers as a natural next step for her ever-growing class program.
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Yes-And-ing Out of the Classroom + Onto the Stage
There are currently 35 members of the Comedy Sports Teams troupe. Typically, each player plays two times a month. The troupe has a repertoire of 75 games and there are never repeats within a given month. The differing levels of energy and experience players come with bring nuance to all of the game performances. It is Ria’s belief that in such a collaborative art form, the biggest talents will carry the new players, helping everyone find joy in the process. Auditions are open to anyone and even relative newbies to the art are quickly stage-ready. Ria sells her programs well. She touts the audience’s collective high, the player’s rush of endorphins, and everyone’s natural serotonin boost all acquired just by being part of the fun. That total belief in her art form has motivated her to bring improv access to more people and convinced this Jersey Shore Girl to attend a drop-in workshop soon.
Summer Jobs at the Jersey Shore: 12 Places Hiring + How to Apply
It is almost summertime and livin' is easy… but it is always helpful to have some cash flow to fund that summer vacation or beach weekend. From classic boardwalk gigs to unique only-at-the-Shore jobs, here’s what you need to know to score the perfect summer job. Read on about the different types of jobs that are seasonally available at the Jersey Shore and tips to land them.
Tips for Landing a Summer Job
Here are five tips that will help any applicant land a summer job:
- Start your search early: Most summer jobs open applications several months before the temperatures reach that summer feeling. April is an ideal time to start searching and filling out your applications.
- Prepare a simple resume: Do not underestimate jobs you have had growing up, even if you have not had a formal job before. Experiences such as volunteer work, clubs + organizations, and babysitting experiences can demonstrate skills such as time management, leadership, and being ready to learn.
- Have references ready: Be sure to have the names, phone numbers, and emails of at least two to three people who are not related to you who can serve as a reference for a job application. It is very important to ask the person's permission before passing along their information to a potential job and to let them know if they might be contacted by a future employer.
- Show flexibility: Many summer jobs will require nights and weekends to make sure that you are open and ready for a job that might ask for this. If this is something that you are not able to commit to, remove those jobs from your application list.
- Believe in yourself: Have confidence that you can do the job that you are applying for. Be your own cheerleader!
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Summer Job Opportunities Down the Shore
Boardwalk + Amusement
Casino Pier + Breakwater Beach | Seaside Heights
This iconic Seaside Heights boardwalk spot is hiring for the 2025 season — and it is more than just rides and games. Casino Pier + Breakwater Beach is looking to fill a wide range of roles, including Ride Operators, Arcade Attendants, Lifeguards, Food Service, Admissions, and more. Some positions start at age 14, making this a great option for younger teens looking for their first summer jobs, while other roles require that applicants be at least 16 or 18 years old. Head to Casino Pier’s employment page to learn more and apply.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk | 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
This popular Point Pleasant Beach destination is hiring for the 2025 season, with opportunities for Ride Operators, Game and Arcade Attendants, Beach Attendants, Ropes Course staff, and more. Positions vary in age requirements, with many starting at 16 years old. Weekends and holidays are typically required, and some roles may involve outdoor work in warm weather, so a flexible attitude and positive energy are a must. Interested applicants can head to Jenkinson’s employment page for full details and to apply.
Keansburg Amusement Park | 275 Beachway, Keansburg
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This is your opportunity to usher the 500,000 anticipated guests for the upcoming season into summer fun. Keansburg Amusement Park is now hiring for the 2025 season for positions including game attendants, ticket booth staff, food service, ride operators, and lifeguards. You must be at least 14 years or older to apply and/or work at Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids. Being able to work weekends and holidays is a must. Visit the employment website for more information about how to apply.
Morey's Piers | 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
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If you are a friendly person who is motivated by a dynamic workplace, this may be just the right place to throw in a job application. A variety of positions are available, including Ride Operators, Lifeguards, Food + Beverage staff, Game Operators, and more. A unique perk of working at Morey’s includes a complimentary Wild Pass. Applicants as young as 14 years old can apply for certain roles, with some positions requiring candidates to be at least 16 or 18 years old. One thing to note is that team members are expected to commit to a minimum of 200 hours and work through their agreed-upon end date. For detailed information on positions, age requirements, and how to apply, visit Morey's Piers' employment page.
Lifeguard + Beach Patrol
Asbury Park | 1 Municipal Plaza, Asbury Park
The Asbury Park Beach Patrol invites young residents to join its Junior Guard Program for the 2025 summer season. This six-week program, running from June 23rd through July 31st, is designed for youth aged 9 to 15. Sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7:45AM to 9AM. The program is free for Asbury Park residents, with proof of residency required. Non-residents can participate for a fee of $100, payable by June 21st at the Asbury Park Beach Office located on the Boardwalk at First Avenue. The registration deadline is June 15th. For more details and to register, visit the Asbury Park Junior Guard Program registration page.
Long Beach | 7910 Long Beach Boulevard
Long Beach Township Beach Patrol (LBTBP) is seeking Beach Badge Checkers for the 2025 summer season. This role involves patrolling 12 miles of beaches across six areas: Loveladies, North Beach, Brant Beach, Beach Haven Crest, Spray Beach, and Holgate. Badge Checkers work from 10AM to 4PM, with a 45-minute lunch break between 12:15PM and 1PM, with returning checkers working six days a week and new checkers working five days a week (weekends included). Visit the employment website for more information on how to apply for one of the nearly 100 employees on this beach.
Long Branch | 344 Broadway, Long Branch
Applicants for both Ocean Lifeguard and Pool Lifeguard positions must be available to work a minimum 32-hour per week schedule, including weekends and holidays. Applicants for ocean lifeguard positions must be 16 years old prior to June 22nd, and applicants for pool lifeguard positions to be 15 years old prior to June 22nd. All training is provided at no cost, and ocean lifeguards will be paid for training during the rookie academy as long as the applicant's paperwork is complete. Learn more here about how to apply for these summer jobs.
New Jersey State Park Service | P. O. Box 402, Trenton
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The New Jersey State Park Service's Aquatics Program is looking for a range of experienced lifeguards to high school students who are looking for a first summer job. Lifeguards will receive training in CPR, AED use, first aid, and other safety skills, culminating in a U.S. Lifesaving Association certification. To apply, complete the 2025 Seasonal Application and submit it to your preferred park.
Summer Camps
Black Bear Lake Day Camp | 457 Stagecoach Road, Millstone Township
For each role at Black Bear Lake Day Camp, every day is a journey, and every moment working there will create a memory. The camp has a variety of positions, including Group Leaders, Division Leaders, and Specialists in areas such as Drama, Dance, Pottery, Cooking, Gymnastics, and various sports. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and commit to the full camp season. For detailed job descriptions and to submit an application, visit the employment page.
Camp Sacajawea | 242 Adelphia-Farmingdale Road, Farmingdale
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Through positions such as Lifeguards, Counselors, Activity Specialists, and more, employees can expect an inspirational experience. Interested candidates can apply on the website and complete a “New Staff” form for Camp Sacajawea.
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Ocean County YMCA | Toms River
The Ocean County YMCA in Toms River is seeking Summer Camp Counselors for the 2025 season. The key responsibilities for this role include implementing camp programs, managing group activities, and maintaining effective communication with staff, children, and parents. Counselors are responsible for assisting with the supervision and safety of groups of children between the ages of 5 and 13. For more details and to apply, visit the Ocean County YMCA application page.
Pine Grove Day Camp | 4010 Herbertsville Road, Wall Township
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Working at Pine Grove is an opportunity to impact the life of a child while learning valuable leadership and management skills. Positions include Group Counselors, Specialists in areas like Art, Ceramics, Dance, Drama, and various sports, Lifeguards, Teen Travel Counselors, and more. Applicants must be available and willing to commit to the full eight weeks of camp. To learn more about how to apply and additional requirements, visit the camp job website.
Other Places to Look For a Job
