Every college student needs to take a break and blow off some steam in a responsible way. Improvisational comedy is one such outlet that stressed-out students can turn to when they simply cannot stand to look at their textbooks any longer.
"Improv gives me that outlet to be myself and makes others laugh," said Tal Kissos, a sophomore media study and communication major, and vice president of UB Improv. "Not only is it an incredible way to express yourself, but it's also tons of fun."
UB Improv was founded two years ago after an improvisational comedy workshop was held at UB. After becoming an official club in Fall 2009, UB Improv has continued to grow.
Ed Caravajo, a senior psychology and theatre major, was one of the original founding members of the club and is now its president.
"[Improv] lets you explore the limits of your spontaneity…while working together as a team to create some great laughs," Caravajo said.
UB Improv has "fun improv jam sessions" during which students, regardless of previous experience, can learn and perform improv at whatever pace they feel comfortable. These sessions take place every Monday, and shows take place on Thursday. Both events are open to the public.
The club is planning to host a three-day improv festival called Improvfest. The festival will be held from April 1 to April 3, and will showcase both collegiate and professional improv comedy groups.
One of the professional groups that Caravajo hopes will attend is Buffalo ComedySportz, a local improv comedy club.
Buffalo ComedySportz was founded in 1993 by Randy Reese. After seeing the original ComedySportz franchise in Milwaukee, Reese decided that this concept could be brought to Buffalo.
The ComedySportz franchise has been around since 1985 and has locations across the U.S., England, and Germany. The Buffalo ComedySportz franchise has been around for over 17 years, which, according to Reese, makes it the longest-running show of its kind outside of New York City.
"The TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a form of the improv we do, [and] although the TV show was heavily edited, our show is live," Reese said.
Points are awarded to each team after the end of each of the seven rounds, which decides the winning team. According to Reese, there are three things that make the show successful: "It's never the same show twice, it's competitive, and it's clean."
Buffalo ComedySportz is a show for all ages, as it incorporates humor in a way that is both funny and appropriate. Events take place in the Mighty Awesome Comedysportz Arena (MACARENA, for short) in a team-style format, placing contestants on either the red or blue team.
The teams are aptly named The Red Hot Wingz and The Bleu Cheesez. Each event begins with the national anthem, and has referees, penalties, a halftime, and is played on Astroturf. Audience participation is expected for suggestions.
Buffalo ComedySportz hosts events every Friday and Saturday night as well as improv classes, troupe try-outs, and special events during the week. At the end of April, the group will be hosting the fourth annual Improvathon, a comedy event that will include 50 straight hours of comedy.
Buffalo ComedySportz has also entered a bid to host the 2013 ComedySportz World Championships, an event which places troupes from each of the ComedySportz franchises against each other.
"[Improv] brings out the funny in people more than anything else," Caravajo said.
For more information on UB Improv, visit one of its improv practice sessions on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. in 145A Student Union or its shows held on Thursdays from 8 to 9 p.m. in 101 Baldy.
Buffalo ComedySportz is located on the corner of Main Street and Harlem Road in Amherst, two miles from South Campus. Shows are Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults. Visit its website at http://www.buffalocsz.com/
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
