Photo By: Tyler Hanan | Lifestyles Editor
The Improv group is a campus club that practices improvisational comedy and theater. Ferris business sophomore Devin Anderson is the vice president of The Improv Group. Like a number of other people in the group, he was a theater kid dragged there by his friends. It quickly stuck.
“Lots of people just acting goofy, it’s a good way to relieve some stress,” Anderson said of the meetings. “It’s good for acting and public speaking skills for sure. It’s really good for people skills.”
Though an offshoot of the theater fraternity Alpha Psi Omega, the group is open to everyone on campus. The group urges anyone to attend, whether they want to perform regularly or watch and laugh from the back.
Ferris pre-pharmacy sophomore and president of the group Jenna Matelske was quick to urge inviting of friends.
“Everyone can come. It doesn’t matter if you have acted before or ever done improv,” Matelske said. “We really want more people from different aspects of Ferris, every major.”
Convening on Sunday nights at 7 p.m., The Improv Group’s two hour meetings run more like an organized get-together with friends.
After a quick warm-up, those two hours are spent rifling through a number of classic improv games. Some will be familiar to those who have seen shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and it gives them a chance to play along like they never could at home. Though on the televised “The Dating Game,” contestants never had to woo a “The Price is Right” contestant or “Despicable Me” characters.
If that sounds imposing, Matelske was very clear that new attendees can simply enjoy the show.
“If you’re not comfortable coming up on stage, you can watch,” Matelske said. “You can watch, you can give ideas, you can just come and laugh; it’s anything you want.”
“We are technically not an RSO, we’re a club,” Matelske added.
This fact makes it easier for those who may have many commitments. Regular attendance is encouraged, but not required. There are no dues to pay or financial obligations to meet.
The group has been around for more than six years now, but they’re refocusing now for a bigger future. The board is looking to create more content outside of the two-hour Sunday games, such as digital shorts and skits.
“We’re really going to start doing some new things, and really start trying to build up the program,” Matelske said.
“We’re looking for collaborators, anyone who’s interested in making videos or acting short little skits. We’re working on trying to promote and make this a big thing again,” Anderson added.
The Improv Group meets on Sundays from 7 – 9 p.m. in Starr 138. There is also an open Facebook group for all members. It can be found at on.fb.me/1aY1cKD.
As Matelske summarized at the end of the night, “It’s good to have a laugh.”