For one-night only, Hinsdale South’s Improvisational Troupe will take the stage for the ultimate show and competition of witty and comedic acting; and only one team will come out on top. Tomorrow, at 4:00 and 7:00pm, South students will perform in the Little Theater as part of South’s improv group: the Unscripted. Before you go see the show, here’s what you should know and expect.
Improv, which is short for improvisational acting, involves the creation of dialogue on the spot. What performers may say or do is completely dependent on what their castmates are doing rather than a script (hence, Unscripted). The phrase “Yes, and…” is a foundation of this type of acting, which stresses the importance of expanding the dialogue of other performers. To learn more about the perspective of a cast member, Stinger reached out to Verena Greiss.
“I love working towards enveloping myself in a character fully,” Griess, a junior and involved member of the Drama department, said. “And [I love] using my mind and body for storytelling with singing, dancing and acting combined.”
Griess also cited a difficulty of improv, having to “think on your feet constantly.” Nevertheless, Greiss finds joy in acting on the spot with friends because they can be “[their] funniest selves on stage.”
In addition to the improvisational acting, there will be a competitive element to the show. Greiss and her castmates will perform as a part of four separate teams that are competing to win the Improv Competition. These teams will compete in different “games” against each other until a champion team is named. The fast-paced performance will involve actors that walk on and off the stage throughout the scene as the plot goes on and will include audience participation.
While Stinger can give you a glimpse into the basic format of the performance, we encourage you to attend the show tomorrow night. After all, improvisation is unexpected in nature, so embrace your curiosity and see the lively and hilarious Unscripted with your own eyes. Is the Improv Show worth checking out? Yes, and we hope to see you there.
Admission is $2 at the Little Theater.
