New School Year Brings Changes to Improv Team

Junior Maya Elfanbaum and senior Alexis Becker go head-to-head in a game called Washing the Dog. While Elfanbaum has been involved in improv in previous years, this was Becker's first time participating.
Junior Maya Elfanbaum and senior Alexis Becker go head-to-head in a game called Washing the Dog. While Elfanbaum has been involved in improv in previous years, this was Becker’s first time participating.

The Parkway North improv team, Insert Laughter (Here), is making improvements for the upcoming season after a challenging season last year.

“Some of the changes that were brought this year were to the structure of rehearsals, and how we’re moving into performances, [in order] to make sure everyone is feeling safe and included in the rehearsal process,” said Drama teacher Chad Little, who sponsors the team.

Last year was a difficult season for the improv team. The group’s dynamics, and consequently the team, suffered last year from personality conflicts among group members. Little and the new leader, or “shaman,” of improv team, senior David Thal, are working on changes this year to prevent such challenges for the upcoming season.

One of the new changes is the addition of the cell phone bucket. Members of the improv team must leave their phones in their backpacks, or they are required to put them in the bucket before meetings begin.

“The key to improv is awareness. Not only do you have to focus on scenes you’re in, but you have to focus on watching scenes. We found that last year people were plugged into their phones and not into the scene,” said Thal. “We use the bucket to keep the focus on fun and improvement.”

This season has its own challenges and advantages. Most of the members from last year’s season were seniors, so many members of the team this year are new to improv.

“What I would like this year is to get people trying [improv]; to get people involved. It’s something everybody can try at least once. If you hate it, you don’t have to do it again,” said Thal.

For those who are interested in participating in improv, information and announcements about meetings and events can be found on the call board outside the theater.

If you are unable to participate in improv but would like to support the team and find out what improv is all about, you can see their opening showcase on Sept. 27 in the Parkway North’s theater.

By Ryan Lutker, Sports Editor