Fresh and Raw.

Ok, maybe medium-rare for steak. However, raw and fresh do fully describe the reason I love improv comedy! One of the most common questions I am asked by family, friends, new acquaintances when I mention that I perform improv comedy with a an amazing team of people is, “What is that?”. The second most common question/statement is, “So you do standup, like *insert favorite comedian name here*?”

To set the record straight, while I love a good stand-up, I have not had the time to invest in building a set that would even be worthy of consideration for stage time among the local greats we have here in Charlotte. Trust me, I have spoken with some of those amazing local comedians, it is a passion project to create a set and it takes some time. 

Improv on the other hand, is a style of comedy that can take the most simplistic offering of a word, phrase, sound, visual, or thought, and takes that offering to build what starts as a scene and turns into a full world of characters interacting with each other and their surroundings. The most beautiful part of this form of comedy is that all of this happens on the spot. No lines to rehearse, no fancy camera angles, no pre-fed suggestions or plannings, just simple imagination and team collaboration to create unique comedy that will only be seen in the moment.

Many people are probably familiar with the hit show “Whose Line Is It Anyway” that has been around for sometime here in the US and also across the pond. Where comedians play short form improv games based on audience suggestions. These games are fun to watch, and what makes it fun is the work that goes into honing the skill of improv. Being able to take these suggestions and immediately create tension and value of this scene and have you as an audience member invested from the very start. The suggestion and scene may happen instantly, but skills utilized in that moment can take a lifetime to master.

I am very new to this skill set, but have a great deal of respect and admiration for those who didn’t just put the time into learning, but rather took the time to learn the skills well. Anyone can read a book and pick up some pointers, but to have the opportunity to learn from and with people who dive deep into the concepts and sharpen their skills like knives helped me see how magical improv can be. Charlotte is home to a few different locations to not only enjoy improv, but to jump into learning it from highly skilled performers. Personally I went through Charlotte Comedy Theater (CCT) through the suggestion of a close friend who had completed their training and was performing on a team at the time. I have the opportunity since to perform with Queen City Comedy, and members of CATCH and other teams from the city, ultimately ending up on my current team Breakroom Improv. In the short amount of time performing, I have been able to meet amazing performers with laundry list of experience and each interaction, whether on-stage or off, has been crucial in helping me grow my tool belt. It is a beautiful and encouraging community and it has been an honor to add what little bit I can to it and hope to see it continue to grow.

 Time for a plug — go and visit our instagram: https://instagram.com/breakroomimprov?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==  

And if you are in the Charlotte area, come and see one of our shows! I can personally guarantee that you will at least have a good belly laugh if we aren’t able to make you pee your pants (which is our ultimate goal.) 

Now that you know a little bit about what it is, why I love it, and where you can come see our show – let me give you a little taste of what you can expect to see at the show!

Picture it – you show up late, AGAIN, to work and the boss is waiting you in their office. You are not even through the door and you hear your name ring through the halls as you are beckoned to a chair opposite of your boss to provide an explanation for your tardiness. The sweat starts to roll down your forehead until you notice something happening behind your boss. To your amazement and relief, your coworkers have seen your plight and have started formulating your perfect alibi, now all you have to do is decipher it. Welcome to a fun game called “Late To Work”

We ask you, the audience for some key details of this needed alibi. Where was the employee? What were they doing? Better yet, who were they with?? As to not spoil the surprise, the late employee is of course not in the office yet.

It is up to our other cast members to do their best to silently convey these key details to their late friend, all while not trying to be seen by the boss. Just like the kids game “hot or cold”, you the audience play another key role in that you clap silently if our late friend is in the right area guessing and ever louder when they get close to the target! One thing is for certain, the perfect alibi always helps when you are late for work.

Having the opportunity to spread a little laughter to my community has been such a fulfilling experience, one that I hope I can share with everyone reading this at some point in the future. Nothing lights up a room like a smile, and if I can be a small part of what brings a smile to anyone, than I count myself a lucky man in today’s world.