Improv: the unexpected art

A room full of people giggled, gasped and guffawed Friday night.

At the end of the show, each cast member took his or her bow amidst thunderous applause and cheering as the audience showed their appreciation for the performance they just witnessed.

Was this spectacle performed at the Musical Arts Center, the IU Auditorium, the Wells-Metz Theatre or the Buskirk-Chumley Theater?

No – it was in the Frangipani Room in the Indiana Memorial Union.

For fifteen years now, Full Frontal Comedy has been providing audiences with laughter through improvisation.

The Frangipani Room was packed Friday night with fans waiting to see the first Full Frontal show of the year.

As IU’s longest-running improv troupe, Full Frontal has built up its fan base to the point where audience members were standing at the back of the room to see the show.

While Full Frontal might be the oldest group, it certainly isn’t the only one.

Awkward Silence, HoosOnFirst, University tWITS and All Sorts of Trouble for the Boy in the Bubble are other well-known troupes giving aspiring comedians an outlet for their talent.

These improv performances are a refreshing change from the huge stage productions one would find in IU theaters.

While I do love dressing up to see operas at the MAC or becoming engrossed in the latest drama performance at the Wells-Metz, seeing these improv shows allows me to unwind at the end of the week.

From long-form to short-form, improv to sketch, IU’s comedy groups provide laughs for any kind of humor. The casual atmosphere and audience participation also contribute to entertaining performances week after week.

They say laughter is the best medicine.

So whether you’re stressing from too much homework, roommate troubles or that upcoming test, take an hour out of your weekend to enjoy yourself – and laugh your ass off.