A bountiful month of Bluffoons!

By Hannah Kintner, Staff Writer kintner13@up.edu

While many students still haven't quite shaken the feeling of intimidation that comes with a fresh set of syllabi, UP's improv club, The Bluffoons, have packed their schedules to bring more entertainment to campus.

Improv Appreciation Month

Friday, Jan. 25 is the Bluffoons' first of many performances of the semester. When the Bluffoons realized that the Mago Hunt was free every Friday evening in February, they jumped at the opportunity to boost their presence on campus.

 

The club has declared February "Improv Appreciation Month" and will stage themed shows every week:

The Valentine's Show: all about love and "rom-com."

The Torture Show: packed full of games improv actors hate, but audiences love.

The 3-D Show: a night of audience participation.

 

Bluffoons president Ryan Belisle is also coordinating an improv festival at UP on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Seven college improv groups from the Pacific Northwest will come to campus for "Project Improv: Portland B.C. Auditorium."

The Start of a Busy Semester

The Bluffoons kicked off the semester by sending seven competitors to the Northwest Regional College Improv Tournament on Jan. 19. After fierce preparation-which consisted of an early return from Christmas break and several two-a-day rehearsals-the Bluffoons traveled to Seattle for the tournament.

Last weekend was a first for the seven members who participated. They competed with nine collegiate improv groups for a spot at the national competition in March. Each team was given the opportunity to display quick-witted humor in a 20-minute spontaneous performance. Teams could choose to use its entire time slot to perform one long form improv scene or multiple short-form skits.

The Bluffoons challenged the national champion improv team-Dead Parrot Society of Western Washington University-with a newly invented form called Full Circle Flashback, but they did not make it to the championship round.

"It didn't go as well as it had been practiced, but considering it was everybody's first time at the competition I think we did pretty well," junior Rachel Van Nes said.

The team placed third in its bracket and came home inspired.

"Everybody has a really different style, so it's nice to get an idea of what we want to work on and different exercises we want to incorporate more into our practices," Van Nes said, "It's just a good way to get new ideas and it's really funny the whole time."

Being a Bluffoon

Belisle believes that anyone can improv and that competitions are great learning opportunities. The Bluffoons sent three additional members to the competition, not to perform, but to learn through observation.

While being a Bluffoon requires a lot of commitment, students involved cherish their time with the group.

"It's honestly the best stress relief I've found on-campus," Van Nes said. "When you're really busy it's nice to have a place where you can just relax and be crazy for a bit."

Van Nes also believes that while improv relaxes you, it challenges you to be keenly aware of your body language. Junior Ben Mesches also enjoys the thought that goes into improv.

"It's really mentally stimulating," Mesches said, explaining that the club is actively seeking ways to improve their performances by reading books about the art of improv.

Belisle also said that the group is also doing a lot more to foster community among club members. This year, the Bluffoons went on their first retreat and worked hard to recruit and involve members.

"People want to be there because we include them," Belisle said. "We really worked hard to foster that unity."

All are welcome to join the Bluffoons at their practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 p.m. to midnight in the Mago Hunt Recital Hall.

 

Bluffoons Performances

Fridays in Mago Hunt

Time:7:30-9:45 p.m.

Tickets: $3 per person $2 per couple