Southwestern College’s Nine Lives Laughatorium and Good Times Improvisational Comedy Troupe will team up with Snark Side of the Moon, Marquee’s Performing Arts Center Improv Troupe, for a community show on Friday, April 12, from 8 to 9 p.m. in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center.  The public is invited to attend and there is no admission charge.

The theme of the hour-long show is “Nine Lives Takes a Shower.”  According to director Allyson Moon, all the games will be centered on April showers and each game will incorporate water.

“We hope individuals of all ages who would like to have a fun time in the theatre will attend,” Moon says.  “We will finish with a game called Drowned Rat, which will include a large bucket of water and players act out a scene while trading places with some members with heads in buckets of water.”  

In order to prepare for a community show, the troupes reached out to Whittier Elementary School to see if members of each troupe could work with fourth and fifth graders on improvisational acting.  According to Moon, it has helped the troupes tailor their material to the community members of a variety of ages instead of just college aged audiences.

Performing members include: Nine Lives Troupe—Jordan Burford, Liam Cunningham, Michael Wooster, Cameron Carter, and R.J. Mader. They will be supported by apprentices John Moberly, Grace Whisenhant, and Conner Barbour. The Snark Troupe—Meg Calvin, Joel Wilke, Charles McKinzie, Samantha Voss, and Chris Rogers.  

The community group has practiced for about a year.  They have had two prior performances and will have another performance in July.  They practice in the evenings during the week.

Prior to the show, the Southwestern Children’s Choir will present their Spring Pops Concert at 7 p.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center.  The choir is under the direction of Nikki Kirk.  There is no admission charge to attend.

“You don't want to miss this fun concert that includes toe tapping old and new musical favorites performed by some of the most talented kiddos around,” Kirk says.

Moon hopes that everyone will attend both performances.

“Every individual playing just loves improv and they have been looking for an opportunity to work together, so this seemed like a perfect event, to provide some hilarious entertainment for the community,” Moon says. “We encourage everyone to attend the children’s choir concert, and then finish off their evening with some great laughs.” 

Moon adds that the show is designed with families and members of the greater Southwestern College, Winfield, and Cowley community in mind. The content is rated G.