Improv props up at BGSU

Dozens of students entertained an audience and donated money to charity during the Ninth Annual Improv-A-Thon.

In front of the Union on Friday, theatre honorary fraternity Theta Alpha Phi hosted a 10-hour charity marathon of improv, or the act of performing comedy without any preparation.

Any student buying a T-shirt could participate in the sketches.

A portion of the funds received will be donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, said Justin Campbell, senior and fraternity member.

“It’s a lot of fun. I love improv comedy even though I’m not good at it,” Campbell said.

The event is a success each year because of the positive reaction from students and their overwhelming participation in the comedic sketches, Campbell said.

“This is one of the best things I have ever done and it’s something that is really unique,” he said.
Some of the skits performed during this year’s Star Trek-themed Improv-A-Thon include:

• Kenny: “Kenny” acts as the person no one likes in a group of friends, yet always invites himself out. The performers play out a scene depicting the awkward situation.
• The Dating Game: Similar to the popular TV game show, contestants act out question-and-answer segments.
• The Party Game: Students guess what weird objects people bring to a party.
• Don Pardo: In honor of the former game show announcer, students play charades to guess wacky prizes.

This is one of the fraternity’s biggest events or fundraisers of the year, said Pat Mahood, senior and fraternity member.

“It definitely takes a lot of work and effort to get it done,” he said. “It’s sort of an endurance trial of imrpov.”

What I Want in a Comedy Show

If laughter is medicine, then consider me the healthiest person in the world.

Whether the words come from me, a comic or a situation, I am chuckling loudly at anything I consider even moderately funny.

In fact, if you stand outside my apartment or Bowling Green State University's West Hall -- the two places I spend the majority of my time -- five minutes won't go buy without you hearing me chuckling or cackling prolifically.

Even though laughs aren't hard to produce, there is a certain criteria comics must meet in order for me to enjoy.

There is nothing worse than attending a comedy show and sitting without a smile on your face.

So if you are a comic, here are some tips to make sure the performance is top notch:

Talk about real situations
Anecdotal experiences are stories people can relate to, and enjoy with the comic. Chances are, if you have car trouble or wait in long lines and can find a way to relate it to comedy, people will laugh because they can relate.

We are not against you
Unless there is a rude heckler or a severely immature audience member striving for attention, people attend a comedy club to enjoy the performer. While it might seem like a tough crowd, it's because you are making it that way.

Have your own style
Popular topics are great to talk about such as sex, alcohol and any other indulgence. But every comic needs to have their own spin. We already know how Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Chris Rock delivers their material, so don't do the same. The world is accepting of comedic diversity.

Interaction
The audience typically likes being involved in the performance. Even if you are making jokes or slants against them, chances are, they will understand the situation, give you the benefit of the doubt, and laugh along with the audience.

The Jinni Blog posts an insightful blog, detailing who are today's best comics and why they make people laugh.