The amount of diverse and fascinating clubs at ETHS is so high, that almost anyone could find one that fits their interest. If you like Dungeons and Dragons there’s the D&D club, if you like video games, there’s the All About Games club and if you like improv, then look no further than ETHS’s very own Improv Club! This is a place where you act out scenes on the spot, play fun improv games and learn tactics for better improvisation and the newest addition to the ETHS Theater lineup.
The Improv Club was established in 2021, when the class of 2025 were freshmen. The club is run by Ms. Jewell, an English teacher and Mr. Gray, a German teacher, after they both realized they were teaching at the same school after taking improv classes together. “Mr. Gray and I actually became friends way before we worked at ETHS,” Ms. Jewell states, “we met in a class called improv for actors at Second City.” The club was formed with a few members to start, and was held weekly. They played games, learnt improvisation tactics, and acted out scenes.
Unfortunately, the club was not held last year due to a struggle in the process of getting a stipend. The sponsors took paid classes together to learn about improv for the club, so they could actively teach it to the members, so it was completely reasonable that they would apply. “Whenever it comes down to money in a place like a school, it has to go through a lot of people to get approved,” Ms. Jewell says.
After about a year, the ETHS Improv Club got the stipend they applied for, and they are for the 2024-2025 school year with many new additions. The club will be putting on two improv shows in November, now that this fantastic ensemble of actors are a part of the ETHS theater roster, they are able to get the amenities that come with ETHS theater productions. “If you audition for a show and it doesn’t go the way that you hoped, there’s this other opportunity now in the theater department,’” Ms. Jewell assures. This is a step forward in the expansion of ETHS theater performances.
Going forward, the ETHS Improv Club will have many new chances for students who join in upcoming years, as well as current members. “We would love to have some of the older, more experienced improvisers take on a leadership role with coaching some of the new people,” expresses Ms. Jewell. The club will be going on a trip to the “Yes, And Fest” again in Batavia, IL, and are currently rehearsing and improving their skills tremendously for their show. The Improv Club receiving this stipend is going to open so many doors for the talented improvisers, and as senior and long time member of the club Leo Hogan says, “It’s a win for all the people out there who want to really be goofy and silly and zany.” And if you fit those criteria, then the Improv Club is most definitely for you.
