For this month’s club spotlight, a representative from the Sudhian spoke to JJ Gordon, the advisor of our school’s improv troupe, Donkey Hotey’s, about what the club really means.
In your words, what exactly is improv?
To me, improv is the exploration of an idea. Creating a new set of rules, environments, characters, whatever comes to the front of a performer’s mind in the moment.
What would you say to a student considering auditioning for next year later this spring?
Come out and audition! No experience is required, just a desire to try something new. I believe that everyone can improvise, everyone can grow with their talent and skills. The auditions are a great first step.
I understand you have worked with other troupes in the past. What sets our school’s apart?
The Donkey Hotey’s are the longest running improv troupe in North Dakota. The fact that this troupe has lasted and, quite frankly, continues to thrive is nothing short of magic. It is even more impressive that Fargo South and the administration has been so supportive over the 25+ years. This is something that is special and not commonly found ANYWHERE.
What are some short-term goals for the troupe?
The club is working to grow their audience (this can be difficult as every four years, performers and audience pool changes completely). In addition to providing the same great level of performance, bringing in new members as seniors graduate is always a welcome challenge. Similar to improv as an artform, you can never get comfortable because change is happening whether you want it or not.
What are some long-term goals for the troupe?
New forms of improv! Donkey Hotey’s is looking towards the future as they continue to evolve. Seeing the same setups and games month to month can leave a performer stale and wanting more. This year alone, the club has made strides towards presenting a show that features puppet improv, long-form structures and even breaking the mould of what a show should look/feel like to the audience. Very exciting! Even the greatest improvisers on the planet will tell you that “improv” is just a tool for creating something out of nothing and just like tools evolve, so does the artform.
How do improv auditions work for a newbie?
We run auditions like we run an actual rehearsal. EVERYONE (current members included) engage in warm ups and scenes. The point is to feel comfortable and even have some laughs as you try out the feeling of working with newbies and established performers.
How would you describe the atmosphere of a weekly practice, and how would you describe the atmosphere of a show?
I know a lot of club members who consider practice their favorite time of the week. They look forward to “making stuff up” with other people who enjoy improv. You can walk in the door and forget about what is happening outside. You get to laugh, you get to perform and you get to create. It’s fun! For the atmosphere of shows, there is a nervous energy that is unlike anything else. You don’t know what the audience will provide that night, you don’t know what they will react to…but you do know that the show starts at 7pm. The vibe during the show is inclusive and AFTER the show…nothing is like it. Trust me, I experienced this as a student back in the early 2000s and it is just as thrilling 25 years later!
The following is a final note from Gordon.
There is nothing like an improv show. There really isn’t anything that comes close. An entire audience on the edge of their seat waiting for someone to guess “Tomato” while performers struggle to mime what a tomato IS to another club member who has no idea…and then, the moment of clarity when the guesser finally says “You are a tomato.” The audience erupts, the performers sigh with relief and no one in the theater ever looks at a tomato the same way again. Nothing like that feeling, nothing even comes close!
