The basement of Kerwin Hall was filled with laughter and love in The Always Underwhelming Improv Troupe’s first show of the spring semester on Feb. 9.
The show was loosely Valentine's Day themed, featuring actors clad in red and pink. With multiple opportunities for audience interaction, the show featured a variety of short and long-form skits about the ever-relatable woes of dating and other facets of college life.
“We love love, and we love you guys, and we’re so happy that you’re all here,” said director Luke Stowell, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and School of International Service.
The evening was divided into a variety of improv games, including “Internal Monologue” where two actors physically perform a scene with two different actors behind them speaking as their subconscious.
The troupe also played “Cut To,” where a few actors — with audience input on their location and relationship — performed a scene with interruptions from other performers that asked them to elaborate further on a scene or relationship they mentioned in passing during the game.
New games also debuted at the show, namely “The Narrative,” in which four actors retell a classic fairy tale. In this case, the audience selected “Shrek.”
Each actor’s character had a different narrative or alternative agenda. One actor told the story from the perspective of Lord Farquaad, and another from Pinocchio’s perspective, two more showcased the Fairy Godmother and the Donkey.
Each game featured a newgroup of actors and highlighted their collective abilities to develop complex and nuanced characters instantly. Every masterfully delivered joke, one-liner or pop culture reference moved flawlessly into the next, showcasing the group’s unique wit and adaptability.
A few actors also showcased their musical talents, such as singing and rapping, which added an element of merriment accented by clapping and cheers from the audience.
Throughout the show, the club sold refreshments to benefit Everybody Eats DC, a local nonprofit that aims to provide healthy meals and culinary education to the greater D.C. area.
At the end of the performance, amidst roaring laughter and applause, the club expressed endless gratitude for the audience’s enthusiasm and said that future show dates for March are to be announced soon.
This article was edited by Marina Zaczkiewicz, Sara Winick and Abigail Pritchard. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Isabelle Kravis, Julia Patton and Sydney Kornmeyer.
