OCUImprov announced their remaining performances for the semester.
The next improv show will be a joint performance with Second Act Improv at 10:30 p.m. March 22 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The final shows of the year will feature musical improv performances at 10:30 p.m. April 13-14 in Clara E. Jones Administration Building.
This year’s OCUImprov co-captains are Joanne Hoch, acting senior, and Madison Carey, acting junior.
“I really like improv because I enjoy ensemble work,” Carey said. “It’s exciting when everyone’s working together and knowing that, if I look stupid, that someone has my back to make me not look stupid. It’s a cool creative outlet.”
OCUImprov has 11 active members, all of whom auditioned for a spot.
“We tend to do more long form and that’s more ensemble-based,” Carey said. “I find that exciting, especially at an arts school where it can be really competitive and sometimes a little ‘me against you’ or ‘me against the world.’”
Hoch said short improvisation is what most people consider “acting games,” while long-form improvisation is more about telling a full story or creating an entire play with scenes instead of games.
Two classic forms of long-form improvisation are called “The Harold” and “The Armando.” The Harold involves three “beats” of group games and sets of three scenes. When executed correctly, all scenes interconnect in the end.
“I love The Harold because it’s hard but can be so rewarding if it’s done well,” Hoch said.
The troupe rehearses two days a week from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.
“I love improv because it’s high energy, anything goes, and you get this great mix of true storytelling and creation, while also being completely zany and wild and funny,” Hoch said. “Some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever seen has happened at improv shows.”
OCUImprov hosts auditions at the beginning of every new academic year.
“We have lots of fun, exciting things coming on the horizon,” Hoch said. “Not just specifically with shows, but how we plan to interact with the campus at large.”
Carey encouraged students of all majors to come to shows as well as audition for the troupe.
“Please come, even if you’re not a theater or music theater major,” Carey said. “We want to broaden the people that come, so then more people will audition.”
Students can like the Facebook page “OCU Improv” and message the page via Facebook with questions.
Leave a Reply