Kalika Valentine-Erickson

Saint Mary’s University hosted an improv show performed by students and enjoyed by the public last weekend as part of the Second Page comedy troupe’s acting career.

I walked into the Second Page improv show knowing absolutely nothing, aside from being familiar with “Who’s Line Is It Anyway,” the most commonly known improv show in popular culture.

When I first entered the Joseph Page Theatre, I was greeted by friendly faces who asked me to write down a funny phrase that could have been used during the show. I wrote down my phrase, which ended up not being used once the show started, and told the girls at the entrance I had no idea what I was getting myself into. They excitedly explained the concept of the show to me.

Second Page, an improv group and the campus’s comedy troupe, puts the show on every semester, said Kathleen Bryant of St. Mary’s. This specific performance had three different show times, Friday at 7 p.m.  and 10 p.m., and Saturday at 8 p.m.

All of the performances were free and offered various drinks and snacks for $1.

The comedy troupe holds auditions two weeks before the show and chooses seven to eight performers. The students, who are mostly theater majors, practice from 10 p.m. until midnight every night for the two weeks preceding the show. Because the group contains mainly theater majors—who have rehearsal for other shows from 6 to 10 p.m.—late nights were the only time slot open for them to rehearse.

Haylie McComb, vice president of the improv club and cast member of the show, said practice for the cast is “playing games.” She explained the new group learns the art of improv through games and skits.

The theme for this show was “Whodunnit?” or a murder mystery. Each show has a main theme. Past themes have been Christmas, superhero and space.

When I took my seat, I struck up a conversation with the person next to me. He introduced himself as Walker Robeson, the former Second Page vice president and said this was the first performance he had seen since he had always been in the show.

“I’m super excited because the president and vice president this year are doing a kick ass job,” Robeson said.

Once the performance started, it was a mixture of scripted lines and improv games. Between the scripted lines, cast members had audience members choose games out of a bowl. Some of the games played were “You Insensitive Jerk,” “Story Story Die,” and “Instant Replay.”

There was a ton of audience participation with members choosing various situations and characters for the cast to portray. Some of the audience suggestions were as followed: a performer was given the job of a porcupine de-quiller; another had to be an aquarium and a group had to pretend to brush their teeth with a chain-saw toothbrush and kangaroo toothpaste while being a cactus. The goal of this act was to have one cast member figure out their roles through pantomime.

I was warned the show could have some duds — and I was fully prepared for such moments — but I was pleasantly surprised when there were none. Some things were funnier than others, but the cast never did anything that was intended to be funny that was not laughed at.

Sydney Rudquist, a sophomore at Saint Mary’s, said she enjoyed Second Page’s performance.

“I loved it. I love going to Second Page shows,” she said. “My favorite part was Andrew [a member of cast] trying to act as the aquarium. I have to work otherwise I’d be back for the 10 o’clock show.”

Another audience member, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The show was really funny. It was definitely better than I expected it to be.”

I loved the show, and I will definitely attend a future performance. The only negative reaction I had was that at times the cast made jokes only people familiar with St. Mary’s would understand. For example, they referenced Brother William several times, and I had no idea who he was until I asked and was told he is the president of the university. Overall, however, the show was enjoyable and funny.

There will be a show with a new cast and theme this spring, and I definitely recommend attending.