Concordia Students Perform and Watch IMPROVables Shows

by Corrianne Cain

Laughs were heard, silly gestures were performed and on-the-spot acting was displayed during Concordia University IMPROVables’ two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. The shows took place in the Thom Leadership Education Center auditorium, where two groups of six students and two panelists led the audience through eight improv comedy games.

Audience members were able to contribute theme suggestions and even participate in the various improv games. Some of the games included speaking in gibberish to make a foreign film, miming different excuses for why they were late for work, ad-libbing songs at the audience’s request, and even pausing, fast-forwarding, rewinding, and muting scenes like a VCR.

While the improv games were practiced prior to the performances, the cast members were given spontaneous prompts based on audience suggestions.

“I think the show went really well…there were a lot of laughs, so that’s always a good sign,” Junior IMPROVables panelist Cadence Klemp said. “It’s really important that we have good shows at the beginning because that’s when everyone comes and is wondering, ‘what is this?’ It was really good to see that we had a lot of people here and hopefully they’ll come back.”

The group began meeting earlier in the semester, which allowed for better scene chemistry between partners. According the Kemp, the cast also included seasoned improv actors and actresses.

During Homecoming week, IMPROVables will be hosting their Mini-Improvathon. This event will take place Friday, Oct. 7 from 10 p.m to 1 a.m. in the top level of the Janzow Campus Center.

“It’s going to be different because it’s improv, so all the scenes are different,” Klemp said. “We get to see a lot of different people, so that will be new.”

For more information about IMPROVables, visit the group’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/IMPROVables/