Imaginations are running wild this month at the Iola Community Theatre.
A group of local performers will serve up their ability to perform spontaneous skits Saturday, and again Jan. 22 at the ICT Warehouse for Pop Up Improv Nights.
“The community has a lot of funny, talented people that need an outlet to help deal with everything that is going on right now, and this is the perfect way to do it,” said Mandy Moyer, president of ICT’s Board of Directors. “I am excited by the enthusiasm that we have received for the improv team and know that the community is going to have as much fun as we are having!”
The group, under the direction of Marmaton Valley High School drama instructor Halie Luken, has been practicing on Wednesday and Sunday evenings over the past several weeks in the run-up to this month’s shows.
Iolans Judd Wiltse, Rhiannon Jordan, Rachel Shaffer, Hayley Derryberry and Cody Easley and Piqua’s Nic Olson will perform a number of skits, most often coming from ideas brought by the audience. (Think of television’s “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?”)
Moyer and Luken will be a part of the fun as well.
Tickets cost $5 at the door.
Proceeds will go toward building maintenance.
The corner of the building at 203 S. Jefferson Ave. was hit sometime in November, Moyer noted, causing bricks to topple over onto the roof, causing damage to the roof, as well as the wall.
The repairs have already been done, but the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted ICT’s cash flow, much like other entertainment outlets, Moyer noted.
“This is a way to have fun and bring in funds for the repairs,” she said.
An improv troupe has been in the works for several years, but those plans were stymied at the onset of the pandemic, Moyer added. “We’re finally making the dream a reality.”
Derryberry, who has experience in long-form improvisation, will coordinate a long-form improv show for sometime later this year.
