Having made the rookie mistake of scheduling four classes spanning from 9:35 am until 5:05 pm on Friday night, I found myself lacking the motivation to get out of my bed last Friday evening. As I drifted into consciousness amidst a 6 o'clock nap, I remembered a commitment I had made to my roommates the night before: "Sure, I'll go to the improv show with you!" I had stated, BEFORE staying up until 4am doing the homework I had neglected all week.
It wasn't until I heard them discussing dinner at Sloopy's prior to the show that I finally motivated myself to roll out of my bed and get ready for the evening. Do I even like improv?, I asked myself recalling just how odd of a sense of humor I actually have. As we began our trek across campus, I realized I was already in too deep.
When 8 o'clock arrived, our group filed into the third row to our seats. I looked around the overly-crowded room and remembered handing over $5 at the ticket counter, I began questioning my presence once again. As I raised my voice to ask my roommate what time the show would be over, the lights dimmed and the show began.
The show began with a few skits in which the members of 8th Floor Improv used the same word or theme to act out several different scenarios. But laughter for the sake of an appropriate reaction transitioned into hysterical laughter on my part when the group began the show's focus on social media. I realized that the entire audience became more active and participatory as the improv group incorporated aspects of Twitter and Facebook to the show. The groups idea to utilize social media in their act was an ingenious one! The awkward relationships, taboos, mishaps, unspoken dos and don’ts--they were all familiar. By choosing such a far-reaching aspect of today’s culture, 8th Floor Improv was able to unite a group of nearly 300 complete strangers in laughter and amusement.
The show concluded, that night with a wild round of applause. I realized that an event I had originally attended out of obligation turned out to be a great bonding experience and a valuable learning opportunity. By the time I had maneuvered myself out the theatre, I was sure to both add the next show to my calendar and ‘Like’ the 8th Floor Improv Comedy Group on Facebook.
It wasn't until I heard them discussing dinner at Sloopy's prior to the show that I finally motivated myself to roll out of my bed and get ready for the evening. Do I even like improv?, I asked myself recalling just how odd of a sense of humor I actually have. As we began our trek across campus, I realized I was already in too deep.
When 8 o'clock arrived, our group filed into the third row to our seats. I looked around the overly-crowded room and remembered handing over $5 at the ticket counter, I began questioning my presence once again. As I raised my voice to ask my roommate what time the show would be over, the lights dimmed and the show began.
The show began with a few skits in which the members of 8th Floor Improv used the same word or theme to act out several different scenarios. But laughter for the sake of an appropriate reaction transitioned into hysterical laughter on my part when the group began the show's focus on social media. I realized that the entire audience became more active and participatory as the improv group incorporated aspects of Twitter and Facebook to the show. The groups idea to utilize social media in their act was an ingenious one! The awkward relationships, taboos, mishaps, unspoken dos and don’ts--they were all familiar. By choosing such a far-reaching aspect of today’s culture, 8th Floor Improv was able to unite a group of nearly 300 complete strangers in laughter and amusement.
The show concluded, that night with a wild round of applause. I realized that an event I had originally attended out of obligation turned out to be a great bonding experience and a valuable learning opportunity. By the time I had maneuvered myself out the theatre, I was sure to both add the next show to my calendar and ‘Like’ the 8th Floor Improv Comedy Group on Facebook.
8th Floor Improv was surprisingly hilarious. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't very impressed with them going in because of this weird, weird rap video from orientation of theirs. So when I ran into Rahel, Cece, Sarah and co., I decided to go more because they were there than because I wanted to see the show. This attitude changed very quickly. By the end my face literally hurt from laughing continuously for two hours. I sort of felt bad for this one girl they called up, because they were making fun of her and I don't think she realized that we were not laughing with her but at her. My favorite part would have to be when two guys reenacted a chess game where we could hear what they were thinking. This was really funny especially to me because my cousin and I have this eternal chess tournament going on and our games are just as intense. Overall, I can't wait to go back to their next show, and this time I'm going to bring somebody new along so they can experience it too.
ReplyDeleteThis past welcome week I had the opportunity to attend not only one, but two 8th Floor Improv shows. This group of highly energetic people is quite entertaining for one looking for something to do on a Friday night. Yes, they are a little bit raunchy, but the show is all about these people able to express themselves through the artistic act of performing. During this show in particular some segments of skits included games like Orbit, the Home-shopping network, and even the dreams and nightmares of two different audience members day to day life! I will definetly be going for a round three!
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to attend 8th Floor Improv's "Facebook" show with some friends from my floor (Rahel, Sara, Sophie, etc.). Like Rahel and Sophie, I was at first very skeptical. I had been put off by the strange rap video that I saw at orientation and remember thinking "This is not funny and I have no desire to ever pay money to watch something like this." I'm so glad I changed my mind. By the end of the night I had tears streaming down my face and my cheeks hurt from laughing. Overall, I believe it was a lesson in keeping an open mind, or "don't knock it 'till you try it". I happy that a previous judgement didn't keep me from missing out on the hysterical show and I can't wait to go to another one.
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