Northwood’s Improv Club has only one rule: never say no. This played out on Oct. 5 when club members attended GameCon for the first time, a ComedySportz event hosted in Fullerton where spectators watch professionals compete in acting games similar to those practiced by Northwood’s Improv Club.
In addition to professional competitions, GameCon offered various student workshops, including training on how to referee high school Improv competitions.
“Honestly, the community was just really welcoming and vibrant,” junior Kamron Jamali said. “We went to workshops and learned how to play different games and how to be successful with improv and engage the audience.”
Improv is a popular form of comedic drama where actors collaborate to create spontaneous scenes and keep the plot moving. This year, Northwood’s Improv Club is participating in the ComedySportz High School League, a series of competitions where Improv clubs from different schools go head to head in acting exercises. The club hopes to implement the expertise gained from GameCon into future match preparation during their weekly meetings.
“I teach people at our club meetings different ways to keep the scenes going and create different ideas,” president senior Ginee Hong said. “We don’t necessarily try to be funny, but we try to make everything enjoyable and entertaining.”
Every Thursday in Room 605, club meetings open with warm up exercises such as “Mirror,” where students copy one another’s gestures and maintain the flow of the moment. Once club members are loosened up and ready to think quickly, the real improv begins. Actors create characters and dialogue on the spot, crafting stories in any direction they choose, with no limits. The popular phrase “Yes…and?” guides them in developing the plot without dismissing any ideas.
“With improv, you’re with your team and you have to understand how everyone around you works, so it’s basically a hive mind,” Hong said. “It’s a great gateway for people who are creative and can have this truly nonjudgmental space.”
Auditions for 10 open spots on this year’s upcoming ComedySportz league team will be conducted by the club’s board members. More information on future club meetings can be found on the club’s Instagram @improvclubatnhs.
