Improv Games with the Concordia Theatre Club
“This is a nice rolling floor,” Kat, co-president of the Concordia Theatre Club, said as she got up from the ground. It wasn’t the most outrageous thing I heard at the club’s improv night, but it shows just how unpredictable this group can be.
Every two weeks the Concordia Theatre Club hosts improv games for students at Concordia. On February 13th I attended their Valentine’s themed ‘Speed Dating’ event. I walked into room A207 and found a brightly lit room full of conversation and laughter. I was a little early so the club’s head of social media, Delan, welcomed me in and explained improv a little to me, inviting me to participate as long as I was comfortable. The club was very welcoming and it was obvious that their objective was to make the space inclusive and fun for everyone who showed up.
The first game they played was called ‘I’m Breaking Up With You’. Two people would act out a scene together starting with one of them saying, “I’m breaking up with you.” They were encouraged to use expansive body language and at some point one of the observers would say ‘pause’ and take over one of the participants' places and start a new scene with “I’m breaking up with you.” People played with different characters and situations, exercising their creativity and humour to their limits.
It wasn’t just fun and games, however. I saw some of the more experienced members coach others at numerous points in a very generous and gentle way. Delan and Kat told me later how often they have people come in from outside the drama program and how they try to make the improv events fun and useful for students from all different disciplines. They mentioned how improv can help develop self-confidence and creativity as well as skills like public speaking.
One student, Crimson, told me that this was her first time at the club and it had encouraged her to consider choosing Drama as her major. “This is the next stop in my don’t-be-a-coward tour,” Crimson told me with a smile on her face. In a couple hours Crimson had gone from an outsider at the club for the first time to a student inspired and excited, with new friendships sprouting around her.
The Concordia Theatre Club is open and free to all students of Concordia to attend. Their improv events happen every other Thursday in Room A207 or the Theater. They also have a monthly drama workshop on the 1st Tuesday of the month. These events can be found by following their Instagram account (@ctc.cue), watching for posters around campus, or by emailing the club at gtc@student.concordia.ab.ca .
Upcoming Events:
February 27th: Improv 1615-1800 in Room A207
March 4th: Cold Reads Workshop 1530-1730 in Room A207 Students are welcome to participate in reading scripts and to bring their own to have them read.
