On Dec. 15, the Lexington High School’s Black Box Theater was set ablaze with laughter and spontaneity as LHS’s Improv Troupe took center stage for their highly anticipated annual winter show: All I Want for [Insert Winter Holiday] is Troupe.
All I want for [Insert Winter Holiday] is Troupe is the Improv Troupe’s second performance of the school year. During every show, the troupe seeks to entertain the audience through a series of engaging games, such as a Montage. However, no two shows are the same, as the troupe works to implement changes based on their previous performances.
“We had the intention to not have ourselves doing too many things, because in the past we had the tendency to run out of time, and then panic. But we just let ourselves decide what we wanted to do, and stick with it, run with it, and then move on,” Iris Prasad, a member of the Improv Troupe and a sophomore at LHS, said.
Unlike the preparation process for other performing arts shows, the Improv Troupe focused on performing spontaneously rather than relying on a script.
“Improv is more like a sport than like an art form. It’s not really a rehearsal, because you’re not finishing a product and then presenting it to people,” Matthew Linden, the Improv Troupe’s advisor, said.
Despite its lively atmosphere, the Improv Troupe and many members faced challenges while preparing for the show.
“I think [one] challenge was worries of any performance like, ‘what if we mess up the game? What if we don’t do it correctly?’” Sophie Pjura, a member of the Improv Troupe and a junior at LHS, said.
Since the Improv Troupe does not have a predetermined script, the challenge lies in creating humorous scenes on the spot. Members have to find a way to be on the same page and communicate with each other to overcome adversity. A large goal for many members for this performance was listening and reacting to one another.
“Listen[ing] to each other, that’s a big thing. When someone introduces an idea into a scene, don’t ignore that idea. It’s part of the lore that we just created,” Pjura said.
As a result, teamwork and friendship are crucial to a successful show. For the Improv Troupe, this has always come easy due to their strong chemistry.
“We are really close. We cheer each other on, give each other feedback, and everyone’s just really nice and we work together well,” Luke Denoncourt, a member of the Improv Troupe and a freshman at LHS, said.
Despite the inevitable challenges, many would agree that the Improv Troupe delivered an unforgettable and entertaining show that Friday night, exemplifying the creativity and talent that many students at LHS possess.
“The ability just to think on the spot and bounce off of each other is just incredible. Some of the ideas that some people come up with are just some things I would’ve never considered,” Pjura said.
