The Good Friend Theater holds its main interactive shows Friday-Saturday. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
What started as a high school improv program for owner Benji Cooksey has grown into a lifelong connection with The Good Friend Theater, a comedy club built on the idea that laughter brings people together.
Founded in West Houston as ComedySportz Houston by Dianah Dulany in 1990, The Good Friend Theater relocated to Cy-Fair in July 2025 and rebranded to expand its services and show opportunities.
Today, the comedy club prides itself on being one of the only family-friendly comedy clubs in the area and offers interactive improv shows, workshops and corporate training centered around its tagline: "Take a good friend, make a good friend and be a good friend."
The inspiration
Born to be in the comedy industry, Cooksey said, he had a passion for comedy from a young age.
“I grew up in West Houston, and my parents quickly found that I was charismatic enough, and I'll say brave enough, and maybe a little dopey enough to go get on stage and not be too scared,” Cooksey said. “And so that started in just being willing to go on stage and make folks laugh.”
After years in musical theater, Cooksey eventually ended up in the ComedySportz high school league program, a program still offered today.
Cooksey said as someone who believes humor is often best shared and experienced with others, when the opportunity to take over The Good Friend Theater came along, he was determined to continue with its legacy.
“When I think about humor, I think about the share of laughter, like yes, we can be on our phones and find a funny video, but even in that situation, oftentimes those are shared between people,”Cooksey said.
The referee at the Good Friend Theater acts as a comedian official, host and comedic facilitator. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Staying local
Aside from its high school program, The Good Friend Theater continues making an impact in the community through its interactive shows held Friday-Saturday, workshops, and corporate training in public speaking and team building.
“I see people who come through these doors make big changes in their lives, and sometimes that's just getting on stage for the first time, but oftentimes people who do improv are inspired to go take a risk somewhere else because they learn how to take death by a million cuts,” Cooksey said.
Operating alongside 50-60 comedians with over 30 years of experience, Cooksey said comedians at The Good Friend Theater are locals themselves.
“Our comedians are your attorneys, your neighbors, moms and community of friends who all hold professional jobs and lives. And this place is their community,” Cooksey said. “Jersey Village Mayor James Singleton threw out the very first joke for our grand opening here.”
The Good Friend Theater holds family friendly comedy shows on Friday and Saturday evenings. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
With auditions held annually, Cooksey said he encourages anyone to participate in improv as a performer or as part of the audience. To further embrace the Jersey Village community, Cooksey said all Jersey Village residents are provided with 50% off tickets.
“The ability to raise the level of joy at a more constant rate is something I think the world absolutely needs more of,” Cooksey said. “And we realized the core of the laughter here is derived from joy.”
Further embracing their involvement in the community, Cooksey said The Good Friend Theater has partnered with Senate Avenue to offer beer on tap from the local brewery as of July.
