‘Saturday Night Improv’ performs on Fridays

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Although its name may be off base, “Saturday Night Improv” works to be spot-on with its lightning-quick antics.

The improvisational comedy troupe performed Friday — not Saturday — to a room of roughly 80 spectators at “The Platform” in Moore Hall.

“I don’t even remember shows, I get so in the moment,” said Ryan Selva, Sterling Heights senior and a member of the troupe for more than a year.

He was engaged in the moment, as he was made to play a slouching, sidling, body odor-wracked boor who seemed ready to lose his lunch whenever he spoke in one of the night’s many games.

That one was innocently called “That’ll be Charlie.”

Though many of the members of the group are theater majors, Selva is pursuing a major in journalism with an advertising focus.

He would like to continue with improv groups after he graduates in order to “keep it in my system,” he said.

Inspirations

Another member of the group has a dream of entering the former home of comedy greats like the late John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

“I would love to be on Saturday Night Live,” Holly junior Dan Martin said. “If I can do any kind of improv, that would be awesome.”

Martin auditioned for a spot in the troupe last spring after taking an improvisation course in the fall.

Ohio senior Katie Meyer has been with the group for three years and said she learned everything she knows about improv.

Her interest in the comedic art style was first piqued by a popular television show featuring Drew Carey as its host.

“I always loved ‘Whose Line is it Anyway,’” she said.

The group has been a part of the theater department since 2005 and takes 20 to 30 auditions every spring semester, Martin said.

The active members and understudies regularly practice together with various exercises, but Meyer mostly enjoys it for simpler reasons.

“It’s all about being comfortable and having fun,” she said.

The careful combination of planning and improvisation paid off when it left the audience in an uproar throughout much of the hour and half show.

Upcoming attractions
The next performance of “Saturday Night Improv” will be on Feb. 13 with shows at 8 and 10 p.m.

A special treat came in the unexpected participation of three graduate members of the group, Bob Pantalone, Mike Veselinovski and Matt Hayes.

“I really enjoyed that they were able to bring back the alumni,” Oxford senior Michelle Fifield said.