Comedy’s Best and Brightest Visit Centenary
Photo by Marion Marks
On September 17th, the historical improv and sketch comedy group The Second City hosted a workshop through Centenary College of Louisiana’s Theatre department. This advanced workshop took place in the dance studio at the Centenary Fitness Center. The Second City Improv Troupe visited Centenary before their performance at Shreveport’s iconic Strand Theatre on September 18th. Centenary College Theatre students with an acting focus received first pick when it came to participating in the workshop, followed by department students and members of Centenary’s improv club—Alan’s Hot Tub. The workshop was arranged and paid for by Jodie Glorioso, an adjunct theatre professor of “Voice for the Stage” and board member of the Strand Theatre.
Photo by Marion Marks
The Level I advanced improvisation workshop lasted about an hour and a half. According to the Second City website, “The class is ideal for college-level improvisers or actors who want to use improvisational techniques to support their text work.” Before the workshop, Centenary Theatre student and Alan’s Hot Tub president, Tyler Garret commented that Second City will most likely teach them the technique of performing a “Harold,” an improv technique made by Second City alumnus, writer, and teacher Del Close. A “Harold” consists of three different improv stories/scenes. The scenes are played out one after another. They are not related, but they are all based on an initial theme. After the scenes and a game, there will typically be one big scene where all of them come together. “It is like a basketball game when somebody lands a slam dunk. It is like this one action that ties everything else together,” says Garrett. Theatre students and professors were excited to see how the workshop would play out.
Photo by Marion Marks
The Second City has been bringing the funny for over 60 years. They started in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and have grown to become the number one name in improv and comedy, with theaters and Training Centers in Chicago, Toronto, and Hollywood. Some of the biggest names in comedy are Second City alumni. Along with their many shows and events, they teach a wide variety of improv techniques all over the world.
The Second City workshop came at an opportune time because Alan’s Hot Tub is in the process of being revamped. For years, the organization has been more about getting together, doing improv, and having fun. This year, Garrett wants to maintain that fun sentiment while learning and applying real improv techniques. His slogan is “Take having fun seriously.” He also plans on having some performances. “We are actually hearing whispers of possibly doing a cabaret performance at the end of next Spring. That would be the perfect environment for Alan’s Hot Tub to do a Harold. That is what we are gearing rehearsals towards,” says Garrett.
