Over the course of the 2013-14 school year, the Montezuma-Cortez High School Theatre Program put on several spectacular productions.
As good as those productions were however, none elicited quite as much laughter as a recent improvisation show that took place at M-CHS on May 14.
Put on by M-CHS’ improvisation group known as the Impulsive Improvisers, the two-hour show featured everything from creative dances to off the cuff humor.
A truly unique event, the show thrilled roughly 75 audience members, thus providing a fitting conclusion to what was a truly wonderful year of theatre at M-CHS.
A howling good time
Among the many factors that set the “Impulsive Improviser’s” show apart was the ability of actors and actresses to deliver off the cuff humor at a moment’s notice.
Especially impressive in their ability to elicit laughs were juniors Xavier Eddy and Kaylee Brinkerhoff, who, at one point mimicking Martin Luther King Jr. and Beyoncé, delivered several unforgettable lines.
Also providing several unforgettable moments was senior Todd Underwood, whose depictions of a rodeo cowboy, a hitchhiker and a brick maker left at least one audience member laughing hard enough to cry.
“It was so much fun,” said Underwood after the show. “I just love all the people in drama.”
A cohesive group
In addition to the Impulsive Improvisers’ ability to deliver nonstop humor, the group’s ability to work well as a group made the show a success.
Making up one of the most impressive two-person duo were sophomore Kaleb Burris and junior Aaron Lewis, whose ability to play off one another’s lines was outstanding.
Providing one of the show’s highlights, Lewis concocted a one of a kind ice cream sundae made up of mustard, salt, pepper and ice cream, which he then fed to a blindfolded Burris.
Laughing throughout the scene, Lewis and Burris embraced shortly after, pleased with their performance and excited for their acting futures.
“We’re going to try to incorporate more people within the community,” said Lewis, who, along with Burris, will lead the Impulsive Improvisers next year. We want to do more shows.”
Seniors exit with a bang
While the future of the Impulsive Improvisers appears bright, the contributions made by seniors Andrea Tripp and Underwood will be missed.
In accordance with group tradition, the seniors went out in style, removing their shoes and dancing across a blanket covered in mousetraps.
Somewhat in pain following the end-of the show ritual, Underwood remarked that the traps “did not hurt too bad,” while Tripp took a moment to reflect experiences with the Impulsive Improvisers.
“It was a really good group,” said Tripp. “We have had more members this year than any other year.”
As far as their future plans, Underwood plans to attend Colorado State University while Tripp plans to attend the University of Colorado. Both seniors said that they hope to join an improvisation group in college.
Although the Impulsive Improvisers will not stage productions over the summer, the group plans to stage several productions next year.