Being humorous takes wit, practice and an audience. Otterbein is hosting an opportunity for students to learn how to be funny, where the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company (UCB TourCo) will be conducting improvisation comedy workshops. With the help of Mainstage Improv Troupe, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement Ben Schwarz has put together this special occasion for students.
There will be one small workshop where a maximum of 20 people can participate. This class will be more accessible to the members of Mainstage Improv Troupe and theater students, Schwarz said.
“The smaller workshop is designed for students willing to get up on their feet and participate in the lessons to better understand Long-Form improv comedy,” coordinating producer for UCB TourCo Michael Tannenbaum said in an email.
In addition, there will be a larger workshop of 80-100 participants that requires no prior theater experience. This workshop will be more lecture-oriented although audience members will be called on to demonstrate some of what is shown.
“The larger workshop will be demonstrative and introductory, introducing basics and general philosophy of the UCB theater,” Lui Vega, member of UCB TourCo, said in an email.
Otterbein students alone are able to receive the top-notch training of UCB TourCo at no cost. According to the UCB website, UCB runs the country’s only accredited school in improv and sketch comedy education.
Schwarz said Otterbein has provided UCB with quality interns. Mainstage Improv Troupe president Paul Dahman and alumna Nina Anderton served as interns with UCB.
“The theater internships are offered for either college credit or to earn free classes at the UCB Training Center in improv and/or sketch comedy,” Tannenbaum said in an email.
Otterbein is ranked in the top 26 collegiate musical theatre programs.
“With such a well-known and respected theatre department that holds such a high standing on this campus, this is a perfect partnership,” Schwarz said.
Schwarz and Mainstage Improv Troupe collaborated together with the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to make all of this possible for students.
“We saw the opportunity for some learning to happen and connection to our theatre department,” Schwarz said.
The UCB TourCo’s workshops will take place on Friday, Oct. 17 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Pit Theatre. UCB will perform in Cowan Hall at 7 p.m. This event is part of CAB’s Friday Night Laughs program.
