This crowd is never stuck for words
By Mark Squibb
Members of the Holy Spirit High improvisational theatre team— improv for short— will represent the province at a national improv competition in Ottawa this April.
Improve is theatre – but without a script. Participants are given a prompt – such as ‘Going to the Dentist’ –and must develop a skit on the spot, working off one another to develop characters and tell an interesting story. Skits are usually a few minutes long and are usually comedic in nature.
Participants don’t have to worry about forgetting their lines — there are none— but they do have to be quick on their feet and be able to bounce lines off one other.
Holy Spirit student and improv club member Jess Hynes said the key to improv is “trusting your gut, submitting yourself to the moment, and having fun.”
‘Public Speaking’ is often touted as the most common of fears, and while students admit that performing in front of an audience can be nerve wracking, they say improv has helped them overcome some of their fears.
“When it comes to performing in front of people, I think it really helps to be doing it with your friends, and not afraid of being embarrassed,” said improv member Danika Hodder. “For me, I was afraid of making a fool of myself, and I overthought a lot of things, when I really didn’t need to. It’s all about having good time, and spending time with friends and making art. It’s really helped me overcome my fear of speaking in front of people. That’s what I love about improve.”
Teacher Michelle King said Holy Spirit High has a rich history of improv, having sent teams to national competitions in the past, but COVID-19 waylaid the schools improv program.
This year’s team is the school’s first since the pandemic.
“The team came together in October and it’s been amazing to see them grow together and build these really strong friendships,” said King. “They have such a love for the game.”
King said improv teaches skills that they can take with them beyond the theatre.
“Students learn how to collaborate with each other, they learn how to use their creativity, they learn public speaking skills, and problem-solving skills,” said Michelle King.
Students agree that practising improv comes with many benefits.
“This has helped me talk to people better and speak in front of an audience, which is something that I used to struggle with in the past,” said Hynes.
To earn a spot at nationals, the team first competed successfully against other high schools from across the Avalon in a regional competition, and then in the provincial finals.
The Holy Spirit High improv team are heading to nationals this spring. In the back, from left, are Meadow Baker, Jaxson Ferrie, Jess Hynes, Liam Forristall, and Logan Savory. In the front, from left, are Olivia Schaab, Danika Hodder, Emma Neubert, and Keeley Brien. Holy Spirit High photo