Shenanigans workshops begin to develop improv skills in students
Penguin posters around campus mean one thing—Shenanigans is having a show. The cast captivates students each show while stringing together a hilarious story line. Shenanigans wants to share the magic behind their shows with students through workshops this semester. These workshops build community with people that want to try improv in a beginner-friendly environment.
Forrest McFarland, an English literature and art major as well as senior Shenanigans cast member, encourages people to go to the workshops no matter their improv skill level. Workshops are designed as a safe place to be silly.
“A successful workshop is all about participation and making a comfortable environment for people to try something new and kind of scary and be able to let loose and have fun with it,” said McFarland.
Workshops cater to all skill levels. Actors who want to practice their ability to adapt in a scene will work with others at the intermediate level. Beginners can benefit from improv because it is an exercise that fosters self-confidence.
Jake Cash, the Shenanigans coach, explains his goal is to have people be astonished at how once they let go of being perfect they have fun with improv.
“Improv is an exercise in self-confidence and putting yourself out there and not being afraid of messing up or people judging you,” said Cash.
Shenanigans wants to share their love of comedy. They utilize workshops to create a community of people that love to laugh and learn what audiences find engaging in a scene. Scenes are developed using narrative structure that changes with every skit in order to keep the audience’s attention.
A key component of improv is to know what makes a compelling character. Good characters will be interesting to watch on stage.
McFarland states that writers in Shenanigans like discovering how the narrative structure of a scene can impact people during improv exercises.
“Anyone who is interested in acting or writing can really analyze the narrative structure in improv scenes and find out what is interesting and what is most engaging to find what inner truth is the heartbeat of a scene,” McFarland said.
If writer’s block is an issue, developing a character by going to a workshop can help to evoke emotion. By engaging with the Shenanigans cast, workshop participants learn how to build dynamic characters with staying power—as audiences walk away, they are still laughing about the characters in their favorite skit.
The Shenanigans cast is always excited to see people come to their workshops. They want to give others an outlet to have fun and see what makes a Shenanigans show special. For upcoming workshop and show dates, follow them @leeshenanigans on Instagram.
