Improv Olympics: a clash of titans
The second annual Improv Olympics will take place on Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in Aragon’s theater. The Improv Olympics involve Aragon’s Improv Team and Hillsdale’s Improv Team performing in a friendly competition between schools.
Last year, Aragon hosted one day of the Olympics, and Hillsdale hosted the following day. This year, however, Aragon will host both days because Hillsdale’s theater is under construction.
Senior improviser Nina Prentiss says, “We’re all in it for a good show, but there’s a little hidden bit of school rivalry. When you’re acting for an audience, it’s easy to get caught up in it.”
Last year, the Hillsdale Improv team, also known as the HIT squad, hosted first and won that competition. Aragon hosted the second day and won the second battle, tying the competition.
Improviser Lisa Rowland, who coaches both teams, says, “With both shows at Aragon this year, the home court advantage might play a bigger role.”
Rowland will moderate the competition, challenging both teams to fulfill a specific challenge in the form of a scene or game.
Because each school’s team is so large, each will be split up into teams of roughly six improvisers so that everyone will play. To avoid a tie, there will be a panel of five judges: two from Hillsdale, two from Aragon, and one neutral expert judge. The judges will raise either an Aragon or Hillsdale placard, the winning team receiving one point in a round.
Prentiss says, “The show will be amazing. I have faith in my fellow improvisers and the audience too. Big audiences are usually good audiences.”
Senior improviser Melissa Cruz says, “We are prepared, because we get together on weekends and practice, which helps in doing this. We get to play with others, and it helps us perform.”
Nevertheless, the nature of improvisation stipulates that instinct, not preparation, is the strongest asset to a player. Prentiss says, “You can never be truly prepared. I think we’re going to have fun, and we’re as prepared as we’re going to be.”
The Improv Olympics started out as joint practices between the Aragon Improv Team and the HIT squad, under coach Rowland. It was Rowland’s idea to join both schools in an Improv Olympics.
Rowland says, “The competition seemed like a natural development. Hillsdale and Aragon are rivals in so many other arenas, and here they are with two improv teams. It makes a lot of sense to have this sort of show.”
Rowland continues, “Part of improv is the skill that goes into creating scenes on the spot. Another part is showmanship and performance. We work on both.”
Prentiss agrees, saying, “The show is the biggest priority, but you need to have fun to make a good show.”
While the Aragon Improv Team features many returning members, the HIT Squad is comprised of many new members. Prentiss comments, “The team has gradually gotten bigger since I came on in sophomore year. The enthusiasm to spread improv has grown. The dynamics between the team members always change, but this is the best year because there are so many different people.”
Drama director Shane Smuin says, “Based on last year, it was really successful. Everyone had a really good time. I think it will go swimmingly this year.”
Rowland says, “The teams both bring really exciting improv to the stage and I can’t wait to see it all in one place. It is certainly going to be a show worth seeing. Anything could happen.”
