Comedy group offers students a chance to laugh
Now that fall semester is fully underway, students may need a bit of a humorous break to relieve the already mounting stress that may comes with homework, tests and other school related casualties.
The Improv-uh-bles, an improv comedy group comprised of seven USU students, is beginning its third year of performances on campus tomorrow.
Michael Flood, a member of the troupe, said students should take time to enjoy the group’s show because “we spend so much time in school and get so mired in homework, it’s good to take a break.”
The Improv-uh-bles comedy show is fashioned after the popular television show Whose Line is it Anyway, and the Salt Lake City-based comedy show formerly known as Quick Wits, now called Laughing Stock.
“We want to give people something local. It’s not something you see around here,” Flood said.
The troupe was formed three years ago in an effort to bring in more revenue for students in the Theatre Student Association who need to pay for travel costs and entrance fees in theater competitions he said.
All students who wish to attend graduate school must be seen at these competitions, Flood said.
The actors in Improv-uh-bles, including Flood, Katie Ackerman, Andy Leukhardt, Amanda Rockne, Brian Bahr, Brooke Pulver and Eric VanTielen, also use the program to sharpen their dramatic skills.
“I’d just have to say that it’s an incredibly fun opportunity for me to learn to sharpen my wit, think on my feet and entertain the masses at the same time,” Ackerman said.
“It’s always kind of nice to have people laugh at you when you’re trying to be funny,” Rockne said.
Some members are not even theater majors, but enjoy the practice anyway.
“I grew up doing a lot of theater and I have always enjoyed performing, but haven’t had as many opportunities as a business major. This gives me the chance. I like to make people laugh and I also like to be entertained. It’s a wonderful feeling when you can get on the same wavelength as another person and make things up as you go,” Leukhardt said.
All Improv-uh-bles shows will be held in the Chase Fine Arts Center Studio Theater, Room 224. The troupe is hoping to move out of that arena to somewhere closer if they get a big enough turnout. Saturday’s one-hour show will be at 8 p.m. and is $2 at the door. Future performances will be held Oct. 8, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17.
Considering past turnouts, Flood encourages people to get there early.