Carlmont’s improv team provides an outlet for students to express themselves while thinking actively and creatively.
Through various improvisation activities, team members are pushed to come up with ideas, characters, and plot lines on the spot to entertain their audience.
“Improv is a general name for short scenes with two to four people, where every word that you say is completely improvised or made up in your head right then and there,” said Mark Castro, a sophomore.
Although it might sound simple from the audience’s perspective, improvisation is quite challenging and requires a lot of practice. Every Sunday afternoon, the members of the improv team meet up outside of the studio theater to practice several improvisation activities. Afterwards, they give each other constructive feedback to improve future performances.
These activities are based on specific prompts, and they require good chemistry between the performing members. The performers have to meet these expectations while creating an intriguing, comedic scene for the audience to enjoy.
However, being on the improv team also has many benefits. The strategies that the actors utilize during the activities — such as never turning down an idea, committing to their goals, and being overall adaptable — are essential skills in everyday life.
“Improvisation as a skill is applicable to so many parts of my life,” said senior Isabella Mattioli, co-president of the improvisation team.
Mattioli also stated that she has observed immense growth in the confidence and performance quality of all the team members, including herself.
The members of the club agreed that their self-confidence had improved after joining the improv team.
“[Being on the team] has definitely boosted my confidence a lot,” junior Joey DuBois said.
Aside from personal growth, the team stated that each member has become a much more skilled actor.
“I’ve discovered a lot more about my talents and troubles in acting. [Joining the team] has helped me with becoming a better actor and understanding the art more,” Castro said.
