By Cameryn Bentler
It’s back-to-school season here at Western New England University, and for the Improv on the Rocks troupe, it was time for their first opening show for the year: Back to Black.
On September 19th at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Rock Cafe, the Improv on the Rocks troupe, consisting of Cass Brannon, Hunter Leach, Charlotte Lovell, and Lacey Gardner, made their big entrance in front of a cheering audience.
Brannon, the troupe’s president, began the show with a warm welcome and an urge to call spectators to audition on September 22nd and 24th at 6:30 p.m. in Campus Center 157. While they’re quite a small group, they have a massive stage presence. No props. No script. Just absurd prompts, and even more absurd imagination to complement it.
Ten games, from gibberish “Elvish” slime to jellybean catastrophes — each performance created uproar from the audience, a perfect end to a long school week. The crowd’s attention was fixed on the performers, not only because of their quick wit, but also since at any point the performers could call any of them out of the crowd to participate — using the first initials of participants’ names to make movie titles, or calling them up to the stage to be a part of the fun!
That dynamic bond between performers and crowd is what makes improv special. Gardner, a sophomore, said that “The energy that the audience brings … it amplifies what you’re doing on stage, I can’t describe it, but it’s just awesome to see the audience cheer you on and laugh at your jokes, it’s camaraderie.”
To these humorists, improvisation is more than just performance; it’s therapeutic. Amidst exams, homework, and constant academic pressures, meeting up twice a week to practice improvisation games for the show is a welcome form of stress release and brief escape.
“If you like funny things or performing,” said Allie Provost, a 2024 WNE graduate and former member of Improv on the Rocks, “this is a great group to join… To put it simply, laughter is the best medicine! If you’re a stressed college student, what’s better than goofing off with your friends? You build life-long friendships here.”
No prior experience (or stress) is required to play a part in an Improv on the Rocks show. If you’re a freshman looking to test the waters, or even a senior searching for one last hurrah, all are welcome to check out their shows.
And if you missed this show? Don’t fret! Improv on the Rocks hosts a show every month. Each member – and alum – hopes to see your face, ideally hysterical from laughter.
