The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Performing and Visual Arts will present its third annual “Improv Jam!” on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature sketch comedy, improvisational theater, hip-hop dance, and pop music, all performed by NSU students.
Isabeau Dornevil, senior psychology major and assistant director of “Improv Jam!” said that little artistic direction actually goes into the extemporaneous style of the show.
“The show consists of improv games that really involve the audience and relies totally on the comedy student’s comedic abilities,” Dornevil said. “I enjoy the entire show, because you never know what direction the show is going to go in. It’s a total adrenaline rush.”
Improvisational comedy — often simply called “improv” — is typically composed of games or skits performed with little or no planning. Actors create the plot and characters on the spot. This can create humorous performances that are wholly unique: no two improv productions are ever the same.
Dornevil said, “The students usually meet up a week before the show to choose an order to play the games. None of the jokes are rehearsed.”
“Improv Jam!” will also include several sketches, which are usually low-production cost one-act plays or skits that are not rehearsed frequently and do not have major set or costumes. Sometimes called minimalistic theater, improv and sketch comedy are both wildly popular among off-Broadway productions. Many sketches, such as the ones on “Saturday Night Live”, parody current events.
Dornevil said, “Sometimes we all just need to laugh. It does give the students’ stage experience, but our premier plays provide that opportunity as well. This show is purely for entertainment.”
