Lee University’s improvisation comedy group, Shenanigans, will perform its first three shows of the semester on Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 15, at 8 and 10 p.m. All shows will take place in Rose Lecture Hall, located in Lee’s Helen DeVos College of Education.
“This show is going to be a great adventure of love and story, in which we get to show off our new improvisers,” said Smith Langstaff, Shenanigans team coach. “Our group has been cultivating a community of growth and knowledge in the field of improv, and we’ve really had a blast telling stories together. Everyone deserves a chance to take a step back from life and just fall in love with a story.”
“Love” is the theme for these upcoming shows. The team will play games such as “Love Letters,” in which two improvisers write love letters to each other with the help of the audience, and “Cupid,” where an audience member will shoot a Nerf gun at any improviser, who must then read a previously written pick-up line and fit it into the current scene.
In past semesters, the group’s performances have drawn hundreds of audience attendees. While the improvised skits almost always contain comic elements, the stories often include drama and intrigue as well.
This year’s members include Joel Brooks, Luke Dobert, Smith Langstaff, Sarah Lee, Nolan Mann, Mariah Moore, Isabella Morgan, Maggie Russell and David Steinmetz.
“Whether you’re bringing a date, your friends, or just yourself, come be part of a night full of heart, connection, and unexpected twists,” said Mr. Langstaff.
Shenanigans started in 2007 as Lee’s first improv team. Skits are unscripted, featuring a set of various games that encourage the creativity of both actors and audience. A moderator may force team members to change the last spoken word on a whim, incorporate surprise quotes into their dialogue, or just radically change the scene, all in the interest of discovering new possibilities in even the simplest of scenes.
This family-friendly show, open to the public, is expected to last an hour and a half. Tickets for entry to the show are $1. Doors will open 30 minutes before each show.
For more information, contact Mr. Langstaff at clangs00@leeu.edu or visit Shenanigans Improv on Instagram @leeshenanigans.