Brainwreck Improv

Photo credit: Michael Graae

Rolling laughter signaled the success of the Brainwreck Improv comedy performance this afternoon in the Ingle Auditorium. The performance was a live act in which RIT students engaged the audience in participation with the suggestion of sensational scenes by shouting the first thing that came to mind. The actors then had to act out their scene based on what suggestions were given to them. Some of the scene types the performers acted out were “invisible shenanigans”, “no peek”, and “speed up”, which all created different forms of comedy, much to the delight of the audience.

In the “invisible shenanigans” scene, audience members were encouraged to shout out suggestions for invisible objects that would help the actors create a story. In this scene, the audience supplied the topic of vegetables and meat. The scene played out by the actors going to the wrong store for supplies, and through the exaggerated acting of those on stage, the audience realized one of the customers is a meat eater and is becoming ill from eating vegetables. This completely random style of improvisation created an odd and unusual, but entertaining scenario that kept the audience on their toes.

The “no peek” scene forced the performers to avoid using words that started with the letter of the audience’s choice in their dialogue. The audience further engaged in the performance by shouting, “die” whenever the performers mistakenly broke the rule.

“Speed up” created a unique approach in humoring the audience by replaying their scene multiple times but under time constraints. The shortest time frame the actors had to perform a whole scene was in three seconds.

The show was a great success, and was enjoyed by every member of the audience. Brainwreck Improv was formed in the fall of 2006, and has recently been identified as an official RIT club, which allows them to hold their own shows.