Improvisation Nation

By: Kyle Christensen
Features Editor

The Monmouth College improvisational comedy troupe made its triumphant return with this semester’s inaugural performance at the Underground on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The group, which has yet to determine a formal title though it is often simply referenced as “Steve” by its members for no known reason, consists of close to a dozen individuals and was established by seniors and student leaders Adam Drake, Chris Walljasper and Emily Zvolanek this year after remaining dormant on campus since April 2005.

“I’m really proud of how the show went,” stated Zvolanek. “It wasn’t perfect, but I was really pleasantly surprised with how well it went.”

Commenting upon how this troupe plans to improve upon its practices in contrast to previous semesters, Drake remarked, “We’re trying to make it more like one group, rather than the dichotomy of the ‘good group’ versus the ‘bad group.’ We’re showcasing people doing what they do best.”

Improv comedy differs from all other types of live performance arts as it requires its performers to create their material off the top of their heads, as opposed to a pre-scripted theatrical format and is dependent on feedback and input from audience members. “Most of our games require needing objects, characters and situations from the audience,” Zvolank explained. As Drake added, “We can’t do a show without audience participation.

In addition, the art of improvisation entails that an actor uses appropriate physical action, an awareness of surrounding space when creating an imaginary scene and the development of proper characterization.

According to Zvolanek, “All of these rules are in place to keep the reality of improv alive.”

New members are always welcome to weekly meetings on Wednesday and Sunday nights at 10 p.m.at third floor of the McMichael academic building.

The troupe will be presenting their next show in December, during the “dead week” prior to final examinations.