Rowan Hamilton

At improv club on Dec. 12, junior JD Lister takes part in the improv game ‘Jeopardy’ while juniors Annie Schuver, Yasmin Younis, Claire English and Rachel Rigden look on. Lister is also on the improv team, Running with Scissors.

AWOP-BOTTA-LOO-BOP!  AWOP-BAMM-BOOM! To those on the improv team, Running with Scissors, or simply anyone who’s been to improv club before, this grouping of nonsense words is familiar.  To signal the start of a scene or game the team captain calls out Awop-botta-loo-Bop and the audience answers with a rousing Awop-Bamm-Boom!

“Improvisational Theater is on the spot creation of a comedic skit based on parameters of a game,” Theatre Teacher and Drama Director Amie Gossett said.
But to senior Marilyn Ransin, an improv and drama student since freshman year, improv is a means something more personal.

“Running with Scissors is a family that you can join at any time, you come in and you’re welcomed into this group of strange people who are very comfortable with each other. It’s all of your really good friends coming together and letting go of all the horrible things that happen during the day,” Ransin said.

Senior Rebecca Bouchard, who has been doing improv since freshman year, agrees.

“As soon as I joined I knew it was where I wanted to be. No matter what mood you come into practice with, you’re in a great mood when you leave” Bouchard said.

Unlike normal acting, where an actor or actress memorizes lines, Improvisational Acting (or improv) has no memorized lines.  An actor is given a game with a set of parameters that they must follow. Then it is up to the actor or actress to create a character and scene on the spot, hopefully with a comedic result.

“It’s a lot different than line acting; it’s easier because you don’t have to memorize lines, but it’s harder because you have to be on your toes. I like it more because you have a lot of freedom; improv is something you can do any day, at any time,” Ransin said.

The improv team has 16 members total, both boys and girls from all grade levels. The improv club is made up of students who attend the open improv sessions held each month. No drama background is required to attend.

“You get to know a variety of people, it’s not just ‘I’m a theater kid; I do improv’- it’s everybody,” Ransin said.

While a background in drama isn’t needed to audition, spontaneity is.

“You have to be comfortable around people; you really can’t be shy,” Ransin said.
Running with Scissors is 10 years old, and has been a competitive team for five years.  They practice two to three days a week for two to three hours each day.

“We put tons of work into perfecting C.O.R.E,” Bouchard said.

C.O.R.E stands for the four factors of a good scene; Character, Objective, Relationships and Environment.  Who you’re character is, what their objective is, what their relationship with everyone else in the scene is, and where the scene is taking place.

“It’s not just about being funny; you have to make a scene believable. You can use a lot of different life experiences to establish a character and a story; you draw from what you know,” Ransin said.

To get the team energized and improve concentration, practice starts off with a series of warm-ups like ‘Shabooya Roll Call’, ‘Big Booty’ and ‘Acorn’.

“You always have to do Acorn; if you don’t –well I don’t what happens, but it’s probably bad,” Bouchard said.

Because of warm-ups like these, the team synergy improves.

“We are freaking hilarious- no denying,” Bouchard said.

Because the improv team relies on each other to create a scene, team dynamics are vital.

“Improv requires a lot of trust; it’s a group effort.  You have to trust that everyone around you will go along with what you’ve established in the scene. The improv team really is a team; we’re a theater sport,” Ransin said.

And like any sport, the members of Running with Scissors are very close.

“Everyone loves everyone all the time; no exceptions,” Bouchard said.