Improve Your Improv: Plymouth Players

By Emily Holleran; For The Clock

On October 28, 2015

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Open Stage Night 2015. From left: David MacNeill, Benjaman Hunton, Alex Hunton

There are moments in life when people get put on the spot, and depend on their skills to act off the top of their heads. Although they might not realize it, this ability could transition well to improvisational theatre, also known as “improv”.

As one of the older clubs on campus, Plymouth Players is PSU’s only improv club. It was originally used by playwrights, directors, and actors alike to put on self-driven performances. With approximately 40 members in attendance, Plymouth Players is comprised of people from all four grades and students of all majors, ranging from theatre arts, to criminal justice, to biology, and everything in between. “Through the group, we have also formed Plymouth's only improv troop, which puts on one hysterical show every semester. The group consists of twelve members of Plymouth Players who excel in improv. “We started performing last semester where we had a fantastic turnout and put on a hysterical show,” said Cam Downing, treasurer of the Plymouth Players.

These shows include the group’s Open Stage Night, which presents an opportunity allowing any student to display something they’ve produced that might otherwise never be seen. President of Plymouth Players, David MacNeill, makes sure all of the needs of the group are met. “For Open Stage Night we rent out the Studio Theater -the black box theater inside of the Silver Center- for an evening and any student can sign up for a five minute time slot to do whatever they want. We have seen dances, self-defense lessons, poetry, and even a game of human Bop It. It's a wonderful night of laughs, tears, and all around great performances,” said MacNeill.

"Human Bop It." Gavin Morgan, Adam Beauparlant, Alex Hunton

The Improv Show is something that was started recently. The past year, Plymouth Players held auditions to create a smaller, side-splittingly hilarious group known as the "Plymouth Players Improv Troupe". “Last year, we hosted an Improv Show on the stage in Hyde Hall, where we did about an hour and a half of entertainment for the campus.” said MacNeill. “We did games requiring props, quotes from the audience, and much more. It was amazing seeing our audience laughing at the same exact things we find hilarious. We plan on producing something similar this year, and hope to spread our love of laughter to a wider variety of students on campus.”

The Plymouth Players enable a fun and enthusiastic environment that is shared by all its members. “What I love the most about the club is the atmosphere we manage to create.” said Downing. “It is a completely judge-free zone that is a very comfortable environment for anyone. It's a great way to wind down and the end of the week after all of your classes and have an opportunity to just goof off with friends. You can come to a meeting and play all of he games or you can just watch and laugh,” Ready to give a warm welcome to any newcomers, and always welcoming fellow members, Plymouth Players creates a sense of community within PSU’s campus that forms at every meeting.

Plymouth Players meets every Friday in room 119 on the first floor of the Silver Center, from 3:45-5:00. These meetings are open to any person on campus with an interest in theatre and performing, although it’s not a requirement. Even if students think improv won’t appeal to them, they're always encouraged to branch out and potentially find an appreciation for something they never considered, even if it’s just to watch.

COURTESY PHOTOS/SARAH LIEBOWITZ