Improv Anonymous’ First Show: A Smashing Success

James Conklan, the new Improv Director, improvising a diddly on the guitar last semester 

By Cameron Johnson

Last Thursday, UNH's one and only Improv Comedy Troupe Improv Anonymous held their first official show of the new semester, with many of the same familiar faces from last year. With games such as Slow-motion Olympics, involving a made-up sport (by audience suggestion) and two commentators responding to the actions of two other improv performers pantomiming the sport in slow motion; and ABC, a game were two performers had to create a scene, with the restriction that each new sentence must start with the next letter of the alphabet. They had the audience in uproarious laughter the whole night, culminating in the final game where even the audience was allowed to join in. “[The show] was fantastic,” said Keisha Warriner, a Sophomore, “not all the jokes were to my humor but [on a whole] it was very funny.”  When asked about how the group could be so cohesive, and what made them so enjoyable, Dan Shine, a member of the group, responded “Improv Anonymous is easily one of the best groups on campus: it’s fun, laid back, and a very loving group, and we have a lot of fun.” The group announced the new leaders of the group, Parker Callahan and James Conklin as director and production manager respectively. In addition to this news, Parker announced that the improv auditions would be held on Tuesday, the 4^th at the MUB entertainment Center, at 7:45. Prospective member Nate Landolt, was very excited about the idea of joining the group. “I love improv and have done it four years” said Landolt, a Freshman, “at first I thought I would get into acting, but [improv] was more free form and allowed me to express myself.” Improv Anonymous has shows every Thursday at 9:00 in the Entertainment Center of the MUB, but the line grows quickly, so it is wise to show up at least 45 minutes to an hour early.