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This semester, the Saint Xavier community can expect a lot from the Improv Club. So far, the organization has undergone a “change in personnel,” as President Ian Rigg puts it.
They have also provided the SXU community with several imaginative shows this year alone.
“People who haven’t been around for quite some time returning to the fold, new people joining for the first time and proving to be naturals; a motley crew indeed,” Rigg said of the changes. “We’ve also been changing up the format of our shows, experimenting with themes, more complex and crazy opening videos, scripted skits, and live music acts.”
This semester, Improv put on a “fake-awards-show” themed performance, complete with acceptance speeches and fake Oscar-nominee films.
“…Our Thanksgiving show, for instance, was opened by SXU singers like Amanda Kalas, Diamond Young, Joe Williams, Meg Lavelle, and Casey Papp, and our Halloween show began with a creepy poem performance with us all dressed as sideshow performers in an old-timey travelling circus,” Rigg explained.
After being a member of Improv Club since his second semester at SXU, Rigg, along with five other members, will graduate in May, but he is confident that his successors will help the club remain in good hands.
“I’ll take the younger members up to the mountain and say, ‘Everything the light touches is yours,’” Rigg said. As for this semester, SXU students can expect at least three more improv shows. The club has been working hard to change things up, including new games and alternative performances for commuters.
“We’re also looking to do a commuter-friendly show in the cafeteria during lunch hours, as well as an outdoor one, so look out for that,” Rigg said. “One thing we may never change is [having] the shows at 9:16. It’s the same right side up as it is upside down, and we get our steadiest audience then. We’ve moved it earlier in the past to try and cater to requests, but we found attendance sorely lower as the requesters didn’t uphold their end of the bargain.”
In regards to the upcoming performances, Rigg says there’s much to look forward to. “You’ll see chuckles, chortles, antics, hijinks, and tomfoolery. Who knows what’s in store? Not us. We just make stuff up,” Rigg said.
For those students who would prefer to be on stage rather than in the audience, there are endless opportunities to join Improv Club. Members meet every Monday at 3:30 and every Tuesday at 5:00 in McGuire Hall or S113 if it’s occupied. Although performing live in front of an audience may seem intimidating, Rigg encourages all those interested in looking into improv further.
“I would advise any prospective members to let go of their fears and just do it,” Rigg said. “…I would furthermore encourage anyone to join. Not only is it a fun time with cool people and an incredible stress reliever, it also develops fundamental skills. Teamwork, interpersonal communication, and most importantly, the ability to think on the fly. You’re going to need to know how to speak, how to speak well, and how to speak extemporaneously. We may not teach you how to plan events in your life, but we’ll certainly teach you how to deal with life’s unplanned events.”
Rigg himself can understand how difficult it is to put yourself out there, but for him, it is all worth it.“Eventually, I mustered the time and courage to take a chance and put myself out there and performed at an open mic night. The president back then, Mike Wurster, was in attendance and proceeded to recruit me. He said I had a tremendous stage presence and wit, and encouraged me to join, and check out the show that night,” Rigg said. “…I’ve made fantastic friends, and found somewhere I truly belong.”
Not only do members gain life skills and develop new friendships, Improv Club also gives back to the community. Rigg says his proudest memory is from the organization’s last Thanksgiving show, where 143 non-perishable food items were collected and donated to the less fortunate.
“It was living proof that improv improv(ed) my life,” Rigg said. Improv Club’s next show is March 3 at 9:16 in McGuire Hall, where “the price of admission is a smile.”
Katharine Arvia
Senior News Editor
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