Improv Anonymous performs Christmas special

By Anne Eickstadt

REPORTER

The Belvidere North High School (BNHS) Improv Anonymous team brought another show to the community on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in the BNHS Café.

“I like it,” BNHS Assistant Principal Matt Fry said. “They are very talented. It’s always fun to come here and see what they come up with. They just keep getting better and better.”

The kids began by taking on a shopping mall Santa – “Who are you, and why are you here?’ demanded one while others requested presents and one was sad because he didn’t have a Santa Claus for a Chanukah celebration.

Then, the group banded together to make objects suggested by the audience, a hammer, a hammerhead shark, a stocking, and a ladder.

In another scene, the audience suggested ridiculous items for three shoppers to ask for in a store: M&Ms, a sock monkey made of toenails, and purple tinsel. The store owner had to guess what these items were from the descriptions the shoppers gave.

The silliness continued through ‘Try That On For Size’ with each person challenging another to give a sillier description of an action until one hesitated in their response;

Improv Anonymous members played a Christmas Caroling Montage and then a political issue game where two candidates had to guess from their “interpreters” what the country was facing. In this case, the country was facing a serious peanut butter shortage.

The improv team moved onto Christmas Vacation Scrapbook where the cast had to physically set the scene for a couple’s memory.

“In my freshman year, I had Mrs. Taylor for my Algebra II teacher. She told me I should go see the show and I was hooked,” Javi Martinez said of getting started with Improv Anonymous.

Other team members continued a family tradition.

“My sister was a member of the team when it started, so I was at a lot of the shows,” Lily Czechowicz said. “When I got into high school, they said, ‘You’re really good. You should try out for the team.’”

Improv is something anyone can do, since the games they play they find from external sources.

“Most of the games we find online. ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ has a list posted. We start there and put our own twist on it,” Martinez said.

The cast has bonded through their love of improvisation.

“Improv Anon is a great thing to be a part of,” Czechowicz said. “Whoever you are, it’s a great way to break out of your shell. Even if you make a fool out of yourself, everyone will forget within a day, or an hour. There is something for everyone. It breaks the age gap between seniors and freshmen.”

Plus, improvisation is a great theater tool.

“If you are interested in the theater,” Martinez said. “You can take improv anywhere. It’s something you can hang on to.”

The administration definitely sees Improv Anonymous as a positive activity for the students.

“It’s nice to see the kids doing something they are passionate about, and having fun with it,” Fry said. “They are so talented. I am impressed. Wendy Taylor [staff supervisor] does a wonderful job overseeing the group and giving the kids the opportunity to do this. If you haven’t seen them yet, come out next time. It’s definitely worth it.”

The next performance of Improv Anonymous at Belvidere North High School will be on Thursday, Feb. 9. Tickets are $4, and the show will be held in the cafeteria. Belvidere North is located at 9393 Beloit Road in Belvidere.

Further information about events at Belvidere North High School can be found at: www.district100.com.