Springfield is home to several comedy and improv clubs, whether they be professional or student-run. One type of comedy, in particular, that is growing in popularity is improv.

What is improv?

Improv comedy is a style where all aspects of the performance are created “in the moment.” It has existed nearly since the beginning of theatre, dating back to Ancient Greece. However, it has really come into its own over the past 70 years. Thanks to innovators like Del Close, it is now recognized as its own art form in addition to a warm-up or skill to have for “real theatre.”

Improv can be described as a form of instant gratification in a way like no other art form. In an instant, worlds are made and destroyed. Stories are told in ways that have never been done before and may possibly never be done again.

Adam Jehle, president of Missouri State University’s (MSU) improv troupe, told The Mirror, “If you’ve never seen improv before, I promise you, it will leave you in awe and admiration of the craft.”

The art is highly collaborative. Even the most basic rule of improv “always say yes,” gets at the heart of this. The phrase means that you always accept whatever your teammate brings to the table and then add to it.

Improv session. Photo via Drury Thetare Improv on Facebook.

“Grab Bag”

Rachel Bush, the co-creator and director of “Grab Bag,” a variety show at The Springfield Improv explains, “By saying yes, you are supporting your partner and then you add a little. They say yes to you and add a little…eventually you build something beautiful together.”

This need for collaboration brings a sense of community to the style.

“We are, in every sense of the word, a team,” said Jehle.

Everybody respects each other as creator and performer. By improv’s very nature, everyone must learn to cooperate or else the performance fails.

Bush encourages everyone to attend a Springfield Improv performance. She explained, “I think, especially today, we sometimes take ourselves too seriously and just need a break. Come laugh with us!”

“Grab Bag” performances are the first Friday of the month from 8 to 9:30 p.m. with a $10 admission fee. Springfield Improv is located on 308 South Avenue. They also offer classes for those new to performing improv. Class times and all other performances are listed on their website at springfieldimprov.com.

Join in on the action

At MSU, there is an improv show every Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. in Carrington Auditorium. It is located on MSU’s campus (901 South National Ave) at Carrington Hall. There is no admission fee. Next week, on Halloween, there will be a costume contest to win a $50 prize.

Drury’s Improv team is newly revitalized this semester. All Drury students are invited to watch and play improv games every Thursday at 10 p.m. in the Old Studio Theatre. There are no official performance dates announced as of yet, but they plan to premiere one at the end of the semester. Be sure to follow their Facebook page, Drury Improv Troupe 2018-2019, to stay updated.

Written by Jacob Maher.