Dozens of students entertained an audience while donating money to charity during the Ninth Annual Improv-A-Thon.
In front of the Union Friday, theatre honorary fraternity Theta Alpha Phi hosted a 10-hour charity marathon of improv, or the act of performing comedy without any preparation. Any student buying a T-shirt could participate in the sketches.
A portion of the funds received will be donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, said Justin Campbell, senior and fraternity member.
“It’s a lot of fun. I love improv comedy even though I’m not good at it,” Campbell said.
The event is a success each year because of the positive reaction from students and their overwhelming participation in the comedic sketches, Campbell said.
“This is one of the best things I have ever done and it’s something that is really unique,” he said.
Some of the skits performed during this year’s Star Trek-themed Improv-A-Thon include:
Kenny: “Kenny” acts as the person no one likes in a group of friends, yet always invites himself out. The performers play out a scene depicting the awkward situation. The Dating Game: Similar to the popular TV game show, contestants act out question-and-answer segments.The Party Game: Students guess what weird objects people bring to a party.Don Pardo: In honor of the former game show announcer, students play charades to guess wacky prizes.This is one of the fraternity’s biggest events or fundraisers of the year, said Pat Mahood, senior and fraternity member.
“It definitely takes a lot of work and effort to get it done,” he said. “It’s sort of an endurance trial of improv.”
