Pacific Index

Pacific’s improv team is back for another semester of shows 

   Looking to laugh this week? Pacific’s improv team is holding two shows on Friday, February 20. The first is at 7:30 in the Black Box Theater and the second is a goth-themed midnight show in the MPR. These will be their first shows of the semester, and they are led by co-hosts Joey Barrett, Jesse Van Hooser, and Fiona Drury. 

   The team is a dynamic group of students who are part of the Drama Club. The hosts meet every week on Mondays and Fridays to get their “creativity reps in,” says Barrett. Van Hooser adds that, “Most of our practices are just trying to keep doing improv so that we don’t kind of flatline.” The co-hosts explained that during meetings they run through improv games and make decisions for upcoming shows, such as what games they’ll include and who will participate in each. Barrett says they meet often, “So that we know each other’s style and who pairs well together in a game when we’re making the game list.”

   Considerable practice goes into these shows, and as Barrett explains, “When we run games we talk about what went well, what can we do better for the next one, because sometimes you’re like ‘that totally flopped,’ but why?” This all feeds into creating a close-knit team with a strong community aspect. 

   However, this community isn’t restricted to just team members. The improv team also hosts open practices where, “people can watch and play games with us,” says Van Hooser. Times for open practices are posted on the team’s Instagram. Van Hooser jokes that, “Improv is also a theater gateway drug… It is a very easy way to fall into it and enjoy it without having to think too much. If you’ve thought about doing any kind of comedy or any kind of theater, stop by for an open practice and just play a game or two and see what happens.” 

   In regards to their favorite parts of being involved in improv, the co-hosts appreciate their team and their mission of making students laugh. Van Hooser explains, “I have a very personal passion for event organizing… but I also just like being around these lovely people and making people laugh.”

   Barrett builds off of this saying, “For me it’s making people laugh. I think everyone on the team is hilarious in their unique ways and so it’s really fulfilling to go to practice and just laugh with my friends for two hours. Also when we go out on stage it feels like the pressure’s on, but when you get something that lands you’re just like ‘Yes!’” However, Barrett jokingly adds, “You feel cool for thirty seconds then I remember that I’m on a college improv team and the cool factor is kind of mitigated.” 

   Whether students are interested in being part of the team or just having a fun night, the improv team is an accessible way for them to get involved in performance or simply see a good show. After their show on Friday, the next show will be April 3 with more details to come. For updates on open practices and showtimes, go to the team’s Instagram account at boxerimprov.