BHS Varsity Improv
Pam Lovely '16
BHS Varsity Improv: Expect the Unexpected by Pam Lovely “Like a great rock band band, improv comedy is best enjoyed live” - Kenny Gray (BHS Improv Director) For most people, standing on stage completely unprepared is their biggest fear. For the 14 members of BHS Varsity Improv Troupe it’s their plan for March 18 and 19. BHS students will be performing an improv show this spring instead of their usual play. The unfamiliarity of improv adds to the suspense of not knowing what to expect. But when it comes to being clueless, there are a few things that the members of the Improv Troupe want the audience to know. Many students heard through friends about the show. Meaghan Winn says that she “heard Sean [Kenny, a member of the Improv Troupe] mention it at lunch” but other than that she doesn’t know much.
When member Kira Fahmy was asked what the audience can expect she replied with “people can expect the unexpected [...] it’s probably going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before”. In order for people to understand why the show is so vague, it is important to know what improv is. “Short form [improv] is primarily games like you might see on Whose Line is it Anyway.
And long form is the creation of a scene and acting out a scene on the spot” explained Layla Wickwire, another actor in the Improv Troupe. Those involved in the show have many reasons why everyone should go see the show. Layla Wickwire said that “whether they’re laughing at an intentional joke or a character that is ridiculous, the audience will have fun. Also, the theater company needs the money”. Kira Fahmy takes it a step farther and said that “improv requires audience input for the show to run [...] whether it’s yelling out a suggestion or coming to perform in a skit it’ll be very interactive and an all around good time”. Kenny Gray, who spends almost all of his time acting, is directing the BHS students in their performances.
Although he is technically the director “the rules to the games are predetermined but absolutely everything else is made up” which means that the actors don’t even have guidance from their teacher. He claimed that for a group of beginners “I've laughed so hard at every rehearsal, and I'm confident they will deliver the same comedy gold for the audience.”
Whether you attend the show because you have friends performing, you want to support the theater company, or you want to be directly involved as an audience member, the improv show is worth every penny. Being a member of the audience is one of the largest ways you can help the improv show be a success while the actors are put on the spot. Kenny Gray said “This is a chance to witness a hilarious art form right in your backyard, being performed by a superb group of young comedians.” Who would pass up on that?
BHS Varsity Improv: Expect the Unexpected by Pam Lovely “Like a great rock band band, improv comedy is best enjoyed live” - Kenny Gray (BHS Improv Director) For most people, standing on stage completely unprepared is their biggest fear. For the 14 members of BHS Varsity Improv Troupe it’s their plan for March 18 and 19. BHS students will be performing an improv show this spring instead of their usual play. The unfamiliarity of improv adds to the suspense of not knowing what to expect. But when it comes to being clueless, there are a few things that the members of the Improv Troupe want the audience to know. Many students heard through friends about the show. Meaghan Winn says that she “heard Sean [Kenny, a member of the Improv Troupe] mention it at lunch” but other than that she doesn’t know much.
When member Kira Fahmy was asked what the audience can expect she replied with “people can expect the unexpected [...] it’s probably going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before”. In order for people to understand why the show is so vague, it is important to know what improv is. “Short form [improv] is primarily games like you might see on Whose Line is it Anyway.
And long form is the creation of a scene and acting out a scene on the spot” explained Layla Wickwire, another actor in the Improv Troupe. Those involved in the show have many reasons why everyone should go see the show. Layla Wickwire said that “whether they’re laughing at an intentional joke or a character that is ridiculous, the audience will have fun. Also, the theater company needs the money”. Kira Fahmy takes it a step farther and said that “improv requires audience input for the show to run [...] whether it’s yelling out a suggestion or coming to perform in a skit it’ll be very interactive and an all around good time”. Kenny Gray, who spends almost all of his time acting, is directing the BHS students in their performances.
Although he is technically the director “the rules to the games are predetermined but absolutely everything else is made up” which means that the actors don’t even have guidance from their teacher. He claimed that for a group of beginners “I've laughed so hard at every rehearsal, and I'm confident they will deliver the same comedy gold for the audience.”
Whether you attend the show because you have friends performing, you want to support the theater company, or you want to be directly involved as an audience member, the improv show is worth every penny. Being a member of the audience is one of the largest ways you can help the improv show be a success while the actors are put on the spot. Kenny Gray said “This is a chance to witness a hilarious art form right in your backyard, being performed by a superb group of young comedians.” Who would pass up on that?
