Can We Get A Headline!

Although other acting groups may have certain limitations, Black Sheep Improv says, “yes, and” to anything that comes their way. From the classroom to the stage, each member brings their own talents and humorous approaches. 

This comedic herd, however, is a selective group. The audition process, which happens at the beginning of each academic year, is fairly rigorous. Current members say people interested in auditioning should attend the pre-audition workshops. 

  Jack Miller, a sophomore studying international studies, says even though the audition process can feel “stressful,” he still had a ton of fun. After auditions, prospective improvers receive callbacks where they perform with team members, and normally four to five new people are chosen each year. 

  Jackson Coleman, a freshman studying musical theatre, says,  “It was pretty fun…They made it feel like a welcoming environment…The auditioning and call-back process helped me decide to be there because they seemed like a really cool group and community.” 

  Once the “baby lambs” or new members are chosen, rehearsals begin. Each time, they start with a sharing circle where everyone discusses what they did throughout the week. The rest of the rehearsal time is filled with funny improv in whatever format they choose: musical, murder mystery or just basic improv games. 

  The main difference between rehearsals and performances are the audiences’ interactions. How an audience reacts to a scene can help the actors navigate where to go next. Quinn Bennett, a fifth-year student studying environmental studies, calls improv a “collaborative art form,” because of this. 

  At the start of each year, Black Sheep works on the “Harold” format, which is one of the most iconic long-form improv structures. A typical “Harold” show starts with an opening, often initiated by a suggestion from the audience. That is followed by three “beats,” each consisting of an improvised scene that builds on themes or characters introduced earlier. The first “beat” sets ideas that will be explored or revisited throughout the show. 

  The group may also incorporate a specific theme for the shows – like doing a Hunger Games show close to the upcoming book release. Though some jokes are developed in rehearsals, the bulk of the show is created on the spot. 

“I think being your most authentic self and really trusting the other person on stage is the biggest part of improv…being able to have trust in these people because the whole thing is just fully created.” Coleman says.

One recurring bit the audience does not see is when the actors are waiting backstage. A group member with a stage-manager-esque presence will say, “Hey guys, you’re on in fiiiiiiive minutes,” then shortly return to say, “Hey guys, you’re on in foooourrrrr minutes,” and so on until the show starts. 

Black Sheep Improv rehearsing and playing various improv games on Jan. 29.

Each troupe member has their own way of getting ready for each performance. For instance, Coleman's process is to watch his favorite funny TikToks to get the humorous energy flowing. On the other hand, Bennett says, “improv is so much fun and it's gotten so natural at this point that I don't really do a lot of preparation anymore.” As a group, before a performance, they do warmups and sing upbeat songs all the way to the stage.

At the beginning of the show, each member introduces themselves. Some put on a silly voice, some act nonchalantly and some even take a dramatic pause before quickly saying their names. 

Black Sheep shows used to be held in Seigfred Hall every other Thursday, but the building is undergoing repairs for the next few months. They are now performing in Schoonover Center 145. For a large lecture hall, the troupe was able to command the space. 

Finally, the show always ends with a game called, “sex with me.” The troupe stands in a line and asks for one to two words. When they pick a word randomly given to them by the audience, each person will come forward and say, “sex with me is like [word]...” and finish the sentence. This exercise exemplifies their comedic ability to think quickly on their feet. 

“A lot of my friends come to [the shows], so it's really fun to just show them what I've been working on,” Coleman says. “I think especially as a freshman in musical theater, there's not a lot of instant performance opportunities I have within that. So, it's really nice that I do have something to go to every two weeks. It kind of keeps that spark of performance that I love to have in me.”

The group’s camaraderie is obvious through their comedic interactions with one another on stage. Many members of Black Sheep consider the improv troupe as some of their closest friends at Ohio University.

“I think [it's] just the fact that we're very open with each other and that we're very close,” Miller says. “It's been a while since I've gotten so close to people so quickly.”

 Aside from their time practicing and onstage together, they build intense trust from many group-bonding activities. They like to do week-long retreats and hang out often. 

Also, The Ohio State University recently hosted an improv festival that students from Black Sheep attended together to watch performances and participate in workshops. 

“I think that'd be really cool if, in the future, we could maybe host our own festival,” Coleman says. “That'd be really cool, because then we could also invite alum and professionals from all around the country to come and perform.”

What makes Black Sheep truly special is its diverse range of actors, with various students from different majors, experience levels and comedic perspectives, coming together to perform. 

“Don't shy away from the stuff that you're interested in,” Miller says. “I think what makes our improv group so special is that we each bring something different to the table and we all come from different majors and different backgrounds. And we're able to bring those perspectives on the stage.” b

Black Sheep Improv rehearsing and playing various improv games on Jan. 29.