Did you know Kent State has its own improvisation group? It does. The Black Squirrel Improv Troupe originated in 2013 under the name, “The Portage County Players” but rebranded in 2016. What does the troupe do, you ask? Improv. About. Everything.
Improvisation is the playing of dramatic scenes without written dialogue and with minimal or no predetermined dramatic activity, according to Britannica. Improv sparks creativity, challenges an actor’s imagination and often leads to unforgettable performances, which the Black Squirrel Troupe strives for.
The group is composed of 11 students from different majors, class standings and backgrounds who come together to share their love of comedy. Every month the troupe holds free shows on campus. This year, their shows are held at 7 p.m. in either Bowman Hall, Room 133 or the Kiva auditorium.
The group also offers free comedy workshops twice a semester to help other students with creativity, to blow off steam or just have a laugh. These workshops allow students who are not currently in the troupe to practice improvisation. During these workshops the troupe teaches the rules of improv and allows students to participate in improvisation games and skits. Anyone who enjoys comedy is encouraged to attend.
“I auditioned without knowing what I was getting myself into,” Nailah Parrish, senior educational studies major and president of the troupe, said. “But from there my love for comedy blossomed. Now I can't imagine not having found it.”
The troupe recently traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to participate in the eighth annual Tides Comedy Festival on Jan. 27, 2023. Tides is a two-day festival featuring collegiate and professional stand-up comedy teams from across the country.
Hosted by Fishbowl Improv, Ohio State University’s improv group. Tides is an annual themed festival, however, this is the first Tides since 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
On the festival's first day, each group received team shirts decorated with the festival's theme: Las Vegas. The first night all student teams performed a 20-minute set.
The Black Squirrel Troupe performed two games during their 20-minute improv set. The first game was called, “Movie Critic,” where two friends are watching a movie while the rest of the troupe acts out what is occurring in the movie. During the first game, two members of the troupe kissed each other on stage, and it quickly became a crowd favorite moment, according to Parrish.
“It was cool because we wanted to have a shining moment on stage to let everybody know what our troupe is about,” Parrish said. “We only had 20 minutes to demonstrate our skills, but I think we made our mark.”
The next day consisted of comedy workshops to perfect and show off each team's skills, in addition to many opportunities for groups to socialize and get to know each other. Black Squirrel Improv found time to explore the campus and have meals with other troupes during their visit.
The second and final night was filled with performances from the professional troupes who attended.
“It was really awesome to see them,” Parrish said. “It was cool learning and having fun at the same time.”
The Black Squirrel Troupe has a show on Feb. 24, 2023, in Bowman Hall, Room 133.
“Being in the troupe has been a very fun time,” said Audrey King, senior theater design major and public relations manager of the group. “It has been very formative of my college experience, and I hope to share that with others.”
For more information about The Black Squirrel Improv Troupe, please visit www.kent.edu/csi/black-squirrel-improv-troupe.