Look at the door in front of you, the bathroom stall, the trash can you dump your leftovers into at the Union. Maybe you’ve noticed the bright orange flyers shouting “Group Sex!” That’s not exactly correct, but it got your attention, right? The “happy look” on the faces of the campus’s Plastic Shatners Improv Comedy Troupe are plastered everywhere.
If you aren’t sure what the Plastic Shatners are, think of shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” or “Second City.” Have you ever laughed more when watching a television show?
“Improv comedy is very audience interactive,” troupe director Lynn Lammer’s commented. The troupe was passed on to Lammer’s by the graduated founder of the Plastic Shatners, John Serve.
Starting slowly, the troupe began only performing for an audience two times a year and have become so successful, they are ready to bust your seams once a month.
“Our name is out there, people call us because they hear we’re funny. It’s exciting,” said Lisa Fulton, an original member of the group.
All members made it clear that the troupe is not just about making theatre, it’s also about making friends. You are taught to notice and respect every move made by the people on your team.
“You just try to be honest, never saying no,” senior member Julio Sepulveda said, “the everyday goof-off silliness now has a purpose. Improv is one of the strongest creative outlets, building your script as you go and people work with you.”
Having perfected the traditional improv comedy, the troupe hopes to work more on the long form of improv, which is basically like a play. It is developing scenes and then follow-up scenes, showing performers how to accept every move made by their teammates and add ideas of their own to keep the story moving. Players find their inspiration and can structure their scenes, having the freedom to react in any way they want.
“Everyone is very talented and funny,” first year member John-Michael Armstrong said, “We’re all so close, you have to trust each other.”
Admission is free to any Plastic Shatners performance. If you haven’t attended a show yet, watch for announcements for their first show.
The Plastic Shatners Improv Comedy Troupe is looking for new faces and new ideas. If you haven’t seen the eye-catching flyers, auditions will be held Thursday, Sept. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. in room 316 at the Union. For more details e-mail the troupe at [email protected].
