Improv prepares for “So _ _ _ You’ll _ _ _ VIII: Fill in the _ _ _ _!”

Improv+prepares+for+So+_+_+_+Youll+_+_+_+VIII%3A+Fill+in+the+_+_+_+_%21

Lindsey Hauch, Reporter

With just a couple weeks until opening night on Sept. 22, LT Improv students prepare to debut LT’s eighth annual Improv Show, “So _ _ _ You’ll _ _ _ VIII: Fill in the _ _ _ _!”, an open ended title made to make you think.

“It started out eight years ago, I got the idea from a Mad Libs,” English and Improv teacher Mike Kuehl said. “This year, it’s like a multiple choice test, fill in the blank.”

Student actors practice everyday after school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the SC PAC, learning games and techniques used within the show.

“It’s time consuming, we are here everyday, but we just play games and have fun and joke the whole time,” actor Kevin Garcia ’17 said.

In order to practice and prepare for the shows, students learn the different games and the rules for each, actor Brian Labelle ’17 said. The no script aspect allows for more time to learn different forms of Improv, such as long and short form, where you are given a prompt and have to create the scene off of only that.

“There are pros and cons with having no script,” Libbel said. “You do not have to memorize your lines, but at the same time you are both the actor and play writer in every scene you’re in. You really have to trust the other people you’re in the scene with.”

This type of production promises something new and different every night, Kuehl said. It’s a unique experience and new environment for every show.

“I think it’s absolutely terrifying from an actors standpoint to get up in front of 300 plus people, not knowing whether you are going to get short form or long form or which games you will be playing,” Kuehl said. “They know how to play all the games, but sometimes I’ll mix the games up and tell them the rules as we’re going, to just keep them on their toes.”

The cast is comprised of 19 actors and actresses, a majority whom are first time staffers, Garcia said. For first year staffers, like Livvie Severin ’17 and Hunter Pendleton ’17, their first experience with the show thus far has involved developing new friendships and a lot of laughs, Severin said.

“This is my first year doing a theatre production of any sort and I wasn’t sure if I was going to come into a group with everyone already having their own inside jokes, but it’s been a very including and accepting environment,” Pendleton said.

Show times are Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23 at 3 and 7 p.m. and again on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. The show is free with a student I.D., $5 for children and $10 for adults.

“I’ve been in a lot of LT theatre productions in the past but every single Improv rehearsal I’m always looking forward to it and enjoy it and I’d way rather do this all the time than anything else,” Garcia said.