Working hard to make the university laugh, the Uncontrollably Witty Improvisation Club has hosted shows and clubs throughout 2010. 

This spring, the improv group has more shows and some new members to keep the laughs coming. 

Recently, Uncontrollably Witty held auditions for people interested in joining the troupe. 

“Auditions were to see who works well together spontaneously,” Ben Fairfield, founder and director of Uncontrollably Witty, said. “My goal was to amass a bunch of students who not only work well together but were fun to work with.” 

The auditions resulted in four new members, and the group now has a total of 14.

 “I started doing improv because it was the most honest way to express myself to others,” Fairfield said. “In the third grade, I was pretty shy and my teacher kept pushing me to talk to the other kids. I couldn’t talk very well, but I loved comedy, so I started doing these impromptu performances after lunch recess. My teacher loved it/forced me to keep doing it.

“The best part of improv is by far how the audience reacts to certain jokes and situations. It’s their show so it’s only good if they enjoy it.”

“I really like improv,” new member of the club, Kat Cordes, said. 

After realizing how much she enjoyed the improv club, she decided to audition last Wednesday. For Cordes, the best part of improv so far is getting to meet and work with everyone in the group. 

Fairfield said that there are different types of improv, some of which are more challenging.  For example, when an actor joins into a scene without any clue what he or she might say or do. 

“It can be equal parts surprising and terrifying,” Fairfield said. 

James Wagner, a returning member of the group, is also excited that the group is growing.

“We have a few new members to the team, and we have a show this Thursday, and so it’s going to be fun and interesting, and I’ll be excited to see our group dynamic at work,” “I like improv because it allows me to be whoever and whatever I want and just what is going on in my head at that moment,” Wagner said.

Last fall, Wagner preformed in the theater and dance department’s production of Fuddy Meers. Wagner won an Irene Ryan nomination, a prestigious national acting scholarship, for the production.

There are nine shows scheduled for the spring semester, including two shows at 7:30 and 9 p.m. this Thursday in the Union Ballroom. 

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