RLC Thespians hosting annual Improv Comedy night Thursday

INA, Ill. (Jan. 26, 2016) - The Rend Lake College Thespians are bringing the laughs next week with their annual Night of Comedy improvisation show. The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in the RLC Theatre.

The Night of Comedy not only acts as a free event with lots of laughs, but it also serves as a workshop for RLC theatre students. Similar to the television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” with games and questions from the audience, Tracey Webb, Thespian Troupe sponsor and theatre director, said she’s hoping those in attendance will get involved with the Thespians to make the night spectacular.

“We take suggestions from audience members and improvise many scenes based on certain rules for a variety of theatre games,” said Webb. “It is a nice way to spend the evening. Most junior high students love this type of show and we welcome them all to join in.”

The 2016 RLC Thespians are, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Deborah Petitt (Sesser), John Hunsell (Woodlawn), Patrick Burke (Mt. Vernon), and Allysa Fox (Thompsonville); MIDDLE ROW, Victoria Baird (Mt. Vernon), Bethaney Brown (Mt. Vernon), Lauryn Strom (Sesser), Melanie Kelcher (Thompsonville), and Ivan Wysong (Thompsonville); BACK ROW, Jakob Felty (Bluford), Sicely Strumpher (McLeansboro), Bret Collins (Bluford), Aidan Ezell (Mt. Vernon), Octavian Swango (McLeansboro), and Vincent Bailey (Benton). Not pictured is Jonathan Dauby (Springerton), Shelby Patterson (Waltonville), Lauren Schaubert (Salem), and Brady Suedmeyer (Nashville).

The Thespians began in 2002 as a club for students to practice their comedic skills. They work on these skills throughout the semester at meetings, as well as at local events, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. The show next week should last approximately one hour.

“We have been performing this free night of comedy in late January for over a decade now. It helps our Thespians work on their improvisation skills, which are crucial for a stage performer because in live theatre, things may not go the way they were rehearsed and actors are asked to improvise in order to save the show,” explained Webb. “Living in the moment is the key to improvisation - listening and reacting accordingly. It is a great mental workout for actors.”

For more information, contact Tracey Webb at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1295 or webbt@rlc.edu.