Theatre

I recently attended a performance of The Nuthouse Improvisational Comedy Troupe and was truly impressed.  This was my first time ever seeing live improv and, before I entered the theatre that evening, I really didnt know what to expect.  However, by the end of the performance, I had gained a new respect for this unique art form, and I hope to have the opportunity to be a part of an improvisational theatre experience again in the near future.

    The Nuthouse Improv Comedy Troupe is made up of a small group of WSU student performers, led and directed by Mike Coletta. On the performance I attended, 10 of the groups performers or players were a part of the show.  All of the performers are very talented and funny, but Mike Colettas performance, in particular, really stood out.

    Although the performance is totally improvisational, The Nuthouse relies on what they call improv games in order to give the show some structure.  For example, in one game, the director invited one of the members of the audience to interrupt the actors and ask them to change a particular line in a scene. This kept all the actors on their toes, and it was fascinating to see how the performers think on their feet and come up with totally imaginative new scenarios.   All of the improv games were entertaining, but I especially enjoyed watching the performers create new, unique characters right before my eyes. Usually, in a typical play, the actor just maintains one character, but to see people shift from one character to another, gave me a greater appreciation for the craft of acting.  It takes a great deal of skill, self-assurance and creativity to be able to inhabit the persona of a new character in mere seconds.

    What I liked most about the show is that it was a very interactive experience for the audience members.  Instead of just sitting in your seat being entertained, the improvisational aspect made it possible for the audience to actually be a part of the show itself.  This not only helps keep the audiences attention, it also makes them think.  Some modern entertainment, like big-screen, blockbuster movies, do a great job with special effects, but they dont really ask anything of the audience. The story is already figured out, so the viewer does not need to think about what he or she is watching.  They just sit in their seats and wait for the message to be spoon-fed to them.  But, part of what makes great art, great, is the ability to make the vieweraudience think about the question the art is posing. Perhaps the improvisation I witnessed at The Nuthouse performance wasnt deeply philosophical, but it did, at least, make me think.  And, that is a good thing. 

    There was very little I didnt like about The Nuthouse Improv performance. The players really did an amazing job at communicating with the audience while still staying focused and in character. But, if I had to pick one thing that I didnt care for, it would have to be that some of the audience members got so carried away and laughed so loudly that,  at times,  it became a little distracting and it was difficult to hear the cast.  I think that is probably the kind of criticism the performers of The Nuthouse would like to hear.  The fact that they were able to get the audience so involved and excited is a tribute to their skills and comic abilities.