I remember taking a few theater classes in high school. The one exercise that still stands out in my mind were the improvisational drills we did; no other activity provoked as much cold-sweat terror and uncontrollable hilarity as those did.
Basically, improv games involve a group of people standing on stage and acting off-the-cuff. Using props or members of the audience, the quick-witted and sharp-tongued can evoke huge laughs. I always laughed uproariously when I was in the audience, but when it came my turn to get up and participate, I would feel the slow creep of imminent terror wash over me. I just don’t think on my feet very well.
That’s why I respect the members of Absolute Improv, a University improvisational troupe, immensely. They put on numerous shows a year, have a library of more than 60 improv games and approach their craft with such obvious joy that it makes me want to get back up onto the stage again.
“There are lots of mistakes sometimes, but out of that comes a lot of good comedy,” troupe member Minnie Goode said. “We do it to remember where we come from.”
The troupe has been doing shows in and around Eugene for five years, playing venues ranging from the Robinson Theatre to Charlie’s Comedy Club with general success.
“We have a strong cult following,” Kirsten Schmieding said.
Tyler Boeh, another member, added that audience reception can be a mixed bag.
“People either like it or are terrified,” he said.
Members of the troupe, many of whom act in scripted shows at the University, said that improvisational work can help them become better actors.
“I started improv to help with my scripted work, and it really paid off,” Luke Hamilton said. “I can really see a difference.”
A large part of the Absolute Improv show is picking “volunteers” from the audience and having them act out on stage.
“Sometimes we have to force them to speak,” Schmieding said with a chuckle.
Don’t take my fear of thinking on my feet as indicative of the general improv experience. Improvisational comedy is fantastic to watch, and — who knows? — you may even have a good time on-stage.
In regard to my experiences with improv, I eventually got up in front of the audience enough times that my terror boiled away, leaving only a vague sense of enjoyment. Soon, I didn’t even mind getting picked out of the audience.
Absolute Improv will be performing at the Robinson Theatre Sept. 29-30, and tickets are now available at the EMU ticket office. Tickets are $5 for University students, $8 for seniors and University faculty and staff and $10 for the general public. Doors open at 8 p.m.