WCC Open Improv Jam kicks off with a ‘yes, and’

Shane Arnold performs for an audience at WCC’s Open Improv Jam. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw Voice

Abigail Gibb

Contributor 

Alex Franklin garners laughs at the Open Improv Jam. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw Voice

Four participants from the audience stand in a row within the theatre of the Crane Liberal Arts building. Different objects are placed behind each of them–a welding student at WCC, Truly Fehrle, turns around to find an old off-white microwave that she now has to sell to the audience. The catch? She can’t sell it as what it is. 

Laughter erupts from the crowd as Fehrle exaggeratedly struggles to lift up the new “Baby Maker,” as she calls it, and raves about its settings, claiming, “It will help make your baby grow so big.” There is more laughter and bell dings–it’s time to move on to the next person. 

Keaka Cagle performs at the Open Improv Jam. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw Voice

Keaka Cagle performs at the Open Improv Jam. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw VoiceThis is an Open Improv Jam night on Feb. 28. It’s hosted by Hope Bernard, a drama and film instructor at WCC, and the students of Improvisational Acting classes I and II. Open to the public, the night gives both students and community members an opportunity to get up on stage, interact with one another and joke around.

“Any sort of performing when you don’t know what to say in advance is improv,” said Bernard. “It’s theater without a script.” 

And theater is what was happening, with the night filled with full-bellied laughter, big smiles, oos and ahs from the crowd, crazy poses and even crazier storylines. 

Alan Lyczkowski performs his scene where ranges of exercises are explored to get participants comfortable with improvisation. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw Voice

Alan Lyczkowski performs his scene where ranges of exercises are explored to get participants comfortable with improvisation. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw Voice“Improv can be a really powerful tool for a community and not just for having a community event where people can enjoy it,” says Keaka Cagle, a former improv student and community member. “It can be more serious, addressing issues in the community.” 

This more serious form of improv, Theatre of the Oppressed, was coined by Augusto Boal, a Brazilian theater practitioner, and used to discuss issues in his community. 

Keaka Cagle performs at the Open Improv Jam. Patrick Sullivan | Washtenaw Voice

Participants join in on many scenarios, like ‘Hey Waiter!’ where the “waiter” cycles between two different “tables,” mimicking the personalities and quirks of the other participants. Another scenario called ‘Sit, Stand, Kneel’ consists of three participants who have to always have someone sitting, standing, or kneeling at all times. 

“I think the easiest part of improv is to go with the flow,” says Muhannad Al-Shohaty, a political science major at WCC. “Professor Hope has taught us something called ‘yes, and’ and that’s what you should bring to the table of acting. When someone tells you something, you should accept it and bring more.”

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