The 48th Street Players, a student-run improv comedy troupe, opened the Little Theater stage on Aug. 28 to audition interested students and search for fresh talent to carry on their tradition of comedic performances. Though previous theater experience may help, the team welcomed everyone to their auditions regardless. Auditioning students filled out a questionnaire to detail why they wanted to join the team.
So that team captains could get a sense of the students’ comedic timing and how well they might meld with the rest of the players, they played improv games as groups and duos. Captain senior Brody Green said that he looks for high energy, a quick wit and good vibes.
“With junior varsity and varsity positions, we go off experience and how good they are at the improv games,” Green said. Newer and inexperienced players get placed on the JV team, but typically move up to varsity by the end of the year.
All the Players find this group welcoming even for those without a theater background.
“I had never done theater or comedy before—just orchestra and painting cardboard [for a play] in eighth grade,” sophomore Joleea Wolfe said with a laugh. “But I still made varsity.”
The Players focus on earning audience laughs rather than feeling pressured. Members don’t have to memorize scripts or worry about perfect delivery, and most of the fun comes from bouncing off each other in improv games. Experienced Player junior Scott Thurman said, “[The group is] definitely more low stakes than regular theater.”
“The process behind each performance involves captains and managers selecting the games, doing a test run, choosing their cast, practicing the show, and then promoting it online,” Green said.
While preparation is key, the unpredictable nature of improv is what some members find the most exciting about being a member. “Every performance is different, which is what makes it appealing,” said Thurman. “You never know what’s going to happen, and that’s the best part.”
They performed “One Last Splash,” a summer-themed show, on Sept. 25 in the Little Theater. Their next performance will be on Sept. 30th at 5:30. Tickets will be sold for $3 on Go Fan.
