By Gionna Bean, Aquinas Reporter
Mission Improvable takes suggestions from the crowd as they perform – Photo by Gionna Bean
Mission Improvable’s first show of the year, Fall Fest Foolery, took place Oct. 22 from 10:00-11:00 p.m. in The Moose. The night was filled with quirky jokes and odd characters as some of AQ’s very own improv artists took suggestions from the crowd.
Mission Improvable is a student-run improv group consisting of members Kyle Devine, Matthew Sloan, Joel Grimsley, Asher DeYoung, Kerrigan Smedley, Michaela Faith, Ashlyn Armock, and Troupe Leader Drew Huegli.
The show was set up as a crowd-run show that took suggestions from the audience. For example, in the segment called “Switch” four suggestions were needed: a place, a relationship, an odd job, and a phrase.
The crowd came up with Antarctica, an absent father, a golf ball retriever, and “I’m down for anything.” Four improv artists then had to stand in a circle on stage and switch between acting out each suggested prompt.
Another notable segment was called “Party Quirks,” where the premise was that three guests were invited to a tea party, each with different quirks that the host had to guess.
The audience was full of energy, shouting out suggestions for what each party quirk should be. Through this method, one was chosen to act as a cheese sculptor, another as Elvis Presley, and the third as a person transforming into a sponge.
Members of Mission Improvable perform “Party Quirks” – Photo by Gionna Bean
“My ability to holler things very quickly came into use. I very much enjoyed the interactive experience,” audience member Sophomore Kiera Troost said.
“Good Advice, Bad Advice, Worst Advice” seemed to be a crowd favorite. In the segment, three improv artists asked the audience for situations they could give advice about. One artist gave good advice, one gave bad advice, and one gave the worst advice.
“I loved the advice column. The questions were really funny, because they were all connected to this made-up affair that a guy was having in the audience,” Sophomore Logan Licence said, “I went to a show last year and really enjoyed it, but this one is better because so many more people joined the group. It’s really cool.”
Members of Mission Improvable perform “Good Advice, Bad Advice, Worst Advice” –Photo by Gionna Bean
“The questions were all about a fake cheating scandal in the crowd. It was so funny,” Sophomore Melina Vande Steeg said.
The crowd loved the humor of the show, while new improv artists enjoyed the experience of making material up on the spot.
“I found it to be a little scary, because it’s just so unpredictable. It was my first show ever. I’ve done improv before, but not in front of a crowd,” Sophomore Michaela Faith said, “I’m excited to see where this goes, though, because I know this is the biggest the group has been. I can’t wait to see who joins along the way.”
The group plans to have more shows throughout the year, and are open to new recruits by audition.
The Saint 