The seniors in the College Literature class at School District 166 paused from the manic action at rehearsal for Theater Sports for a photo. (L-R, front) Shannon O’Phelan, Melanie Stoddard, Sarah Deschampe, Breana Peterson, Jessica Berg-Collman, Anna Carman. (L-R, kneeling) Abbey Sutton, Megan Lehto, Thomas Anderson, Cy Fortunato, Joey Chmelik. (L-R, back) Charlie Lawler, Joe Borud, Jonny Jacobsen, Seth Warren.
The third time is a charm and the weather, which caused School District 166 to twice cancel the Theater Sports presentation, finally cooperated on Tuesday, April 8. The College in the Schools Literature class took to the stage at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts and delighted the audience with some very impressive improv.
The competition was fast and furious as the “Pain Train” team—Thomas Anderson, Charlie Lawler, Seth Warren, Melanie Stoddard, Abbey Sutton, and Sarah Deschampe— took on the “Dream Team”—Cy Fortunato, Joey Chmelik, Jonny Jacobsen, Anna Carman, Breana Peterson, Shannon O’Phelan, Jessica Berg- Collman and Joe Borud. Megan Lehto also trained for the event, but because of another commitment was unable to be there.
For two hours the teams faced off, rapidly creating scenes based on “games” introduced by Coach Michael McHugh or by suggestions from the audience. All the impromptu performances were interesting and some were uproariously funny such as the scene in which Confederate soldiers were transported through time to a modern day coffee shop or the faux news report of a mutiny at a chicken farm.
The focus of improv performances is not to be funny. It’s an exercise in creating a fluid, believable scene. But the byproduct is frequent laughter.
The evening got a little crazy and some audience members were pulled into the fray. A number of young students were called up on stage to lend a hand and did a great job.
All of the craziness serves a purpose. Performers must be brave enough to get up in front of a rowdy audience and act silly. They must think and move fast to entertain the crowd. As Coach McHugh explained to the audience, “Improv is hard!”
The challenging competition is also for a good cause. It supports the College Literature class’s annual spring theater trip to the Twin Cities. Students will be attending Rain and Othello.
Leave a Reply