Extremely funny actors and actresses have been competing for laughs on a regular basis at BATS since the '80s. Weekend nights, the thespians arrange themselves in teams, as kooky judges sit out front with a scoreboard. The audience suggests words and themes for the improvisations and the stage hounds jump into on-the-spot, stream-of-consciousness playlets that can be really, really funny -- or so bad they're still funny. Gratuitous racist and sexist remarks are banned, and the humor is delightfully fresh and earthy. There are no losers at a BATS performance; cast members also teach classes in the art of improv.