Members of the Improv Club reach for the $5 cash prize they will compete for in a free public show Thursday, Dec. 5.
Improvisational theatre is all about working together to make the show happen, says drama professor Alice Nelson.
She is the coach of the University’s Improv Club, which will present a public performance Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Hatch Studio Theatre, Jackman Dramatic Art Centre.
“We’re trying to instill a culture of good storytelling,” says Prof. Nelson. “What makes it funny is you’re surviving by your wits.”
The club started with six members when it formed in January, but has now grown to an average of 30 attending practice each Thursday — about half of whom are drama students, with the rest representing most disciplines across campus.
“Some of them have never been on stage before,” Nelson says. “We have students from business, engineering, law, all kinds of programs, which is so awesome.”
The show will employ two “tried and true” formats licensed from the International Theatresports Institute. Developed by Keith Johnstone, a founder of the Loose Moose Theatre Company, where Nelson trained in improv, they lend structure to the proceedings.
“Theatresports” sees teams compete for points awarded by a panel of judges for narrative, technique, and entertainment. Players challenge each other to perform scenes reflecting situations or characters.
“You can’t be too hard on yourself because it’s just so random,” Nelson says.
“Maestro” is an elimination format. Players are numbered and drawn at random to cast scenes. The audience scores each scene and as the evening progresses, lower scoring improvisors are eliminated, with the final champion, the Maestro, receiving a coveted $5 cash prize.
“The great thing is everybody can get involved,” says Nelson. “Some players are improvising in the show, others are working lights, sound, judging, scorekeeping, ushering. Improv Club is very much a team making this show happen. And the audience gets to vote on the results.”
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and admission is free, with the timing ideal for students and faculty, says Nelson: “Classes are done but final exams haven’t started yet.”