You go into room J-11 right after school on Wednesday for an improv rehearsal. Immediately as you open the door you hear loud laughter echoing throughout the room. When rehearsal starts you play fun games, watch your fellow improv members create funny scenes, and work together as a team to have fun as well as prepare for your show that is around the corner.

Improvisation, improv for short, is a form of acting where everything that is performed is made up on the spot.

To be a member of the improv team, members had to go through an audition process overseen by junior Jazz Coston, the new team captain. 

“I would teach a couple warm-ups and a couple games, and I would observe as they played them to see what they bring energy-wise, character-wise. What are [their] high points and low points,” said Coston.

Now that rehearsals have started, the improv team returns to the family-like environment described by sophomore Eleanor Wells, a returning team member.

“They’re like my second family, so it was like I couldn’t leave them,” Wells said.

To the members, the team is seen as a safe place where you can go to express your true self and be a little silly, which is encouraged that the members do so. There are a lot of laughs and funny moments during rehearsals, making the environment very welcoming to members.

As a result of this welcoming environment, several new members have joined the team this year, including senior Obed Gonzalez-Aguilar and sophomore Indigo Barsy. Gonzalez-Aguilar joined because of his experience with musical theater, as well as having many friends already on the team. He also has experience with a different type of improvisation.

“I do a lot of freestyle rap, so I know how to improvise things, but not like comedy improv,” said Gonzalez-Aguilar.

Being a new member has its excitement, but having a new large leadership role can bring a new type of anticipation for the captain.

“Honestly, running the team is just a really big exciting thing. I think we have a really good team this year,” said Coston. “Everyone is so funny they make me laugh so much. I love the good vibes already – it’s going to be a great time.”

As with any team, improv team members need to have good morale to work well together. If the group doesn’t get along, that can make or break the team. 

“There would be no team if you are not getting along,” said Wells.

Furthermore, some changes are being made to the structure of the improv team. Coston is going a lot more in-depth with the scheduling this year. Last year the schedule was disorganized, not well advertised, and shows were planned at the last minute. This year the schedule for shows and rehearsals was planned ahead. Also, the rehearsals are more structured, and show dates are going to be advertised in advance. Coston hopes these changes to the schedule will result in a great year for the team. 

“I’m excited to share the stage with a lot of my friends and to get to know new people you know,” said Gonzalez-Aguilar. “I really think we’re gonna get really close friends in this thing because we are gonna spend a lot of time together.”