Student group performs improvisational comedy
Performing in front of an audience can be a terrifying experience for many students, but not so for the SHS Improv Club, who collectively volunteer to do an hour’s worth of stage time- unscripted.
The club is dedicated to promoting improvisational comedy among students. Improv is based on unplanned performances, in which the actors make up jokes as they go along. The club has no problem producing comedic scenarios from this challenging format.
“They are pretty hilarious,” said Erin Naugher, 9, SHS Improv member. “Everyone there has a really good sense of humor.”
The group has had rehearsals since late November in which different aspects of scene-building were stressed in ‘improv games’. The focus of these games included characterization, scene direction, and comedic timing.
These practices serve as the precursor to the two live performances scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 pm The shows are titled “Mission: ‘Improv’able,” and students and community members are invited to attend.
“Make sure to go to the bathroom before you come, because you’ll be laughing a lot,” said AJ Bierschwal, 10, Improv Club member. During the show, actors will perform a multitude of different improv exercises.
The club is instructed by Martha Carroll, Symmes Elementary School teacher. Carroll meets with the students from 4:30 to 6:30 on rehearsal days, as she has in previous years. She designed a program to teach students the fundamentals of improv.
Tickets for the shows are $5 at the door and may be purchased before 6:30 pm on the nights of the performances. The shows are being held in the SHS Little Theatre.