Just roll with it

Take some advice from UB Improv: when things don't go as planned, just roll with it.
UB Improv, a group that engages students and audiences alike in the forms and practices of improvisational comedy, is all about "rolling with it." Improvisational comedy, a script-less form of comedy performance, relies heavily on the performers' sharp wits, comedic antics and resilience in dealing with the unexpected.
These skills allow UB Improv performers to construct and embody wild characters such as waffle-eating Canadian tennis referees and reverends who are infatuated with their own vices and sinful natures.
But UB Improv hasn't always had its fair share of laughs.
Christopher Salmin, a senior business and psychology major and UB Improv president, came to UB during the fall 2009 semester and co-founded a small improv troupe with his friend, Ed Caravajo, who is now a graduate of UB.
The group was underground and met unofficially for several months. Because it was not yet an official club, its first major issue became finding a permanent place to meet.
"We've gotten kicked out of [so many] rooms," Salmin said. "Even as an official club, we got kicked out of 145A in the Student Union for making too much noise."
Constant relocation had been a major obstacle for the newly established club. UB Improv was somewhat of a nomadic troupe in its early days and moved between rooms in the SU, Baldy Hall, O'Brian Hall and Fronczak Hall.
UB Improv finally became a permanent club in April 2010. With the recognition, however, a new issue came up - this time it was intrinsic.
"The political system we were using wasn't working," Salmin said. "There were power struggles ... I'll spare you the nitty gritty, but it wrecked a lot of the chemistry we had."
Despite all these issues, UB Improv had an exponential increase in audience turnout. With one of their shows "Eat, Pray, Prov," the group attracted over 150 people for a laugh-filled night where the politics were set aside. It was the club's peak performance, according to Salmin.
Additionally, UB Improv was asked to perform an opening act for comedian and writer B.J. Novak (The Office), who performed at UB in April 2011 in front of an attending audience of over 3,500 people. For Salmin, it is one of his most memorable experiences with the group.
The following fall semester, the group had a fresh start: new recruits, new officers and new roles. Eventually, the issues of the past had been resolved and the group could now focus solely on all the laughs.
Now, UB Improv is in full-force with close to 25 members. The group provides weekly workshops for those interested in improv comedy, whether they're experienced or not. They also have two performing troupes, the "Laughrodisiacs" and the "Komic-Kazies," who put on shows every three weeks.
Amanda Ruby, a senior biological sciences major and vice president of UB Improv, is a member of the "Laughrodisiacs." For Ruby, getting involved in UB Improv was something of chance.
"I just wanted to try something completely different," Ruby said. "I'd heard about [UB Improv] through a workshop and I just said, 'OK, I'll just start coming.' So here I am."
Ruby came in with no prior experience and learned a lot about thinking on her feet, working with others and overcoming performance anxiety.
"It killed my stage fright," Ruby said. "I used to have the worst stage fright in the planet ... after I started [UB Improv], I had to give a presentation for my biochemistry class of about 200 people. I was fine."
Chris Rupert, a senior biological sciences major and treasurer of UB Improv, also performs with Ruby on the "Laughrodisiacs." Rupert believes the skills from his time with UB Improv can be applied outside of the world of comedy, particularly how to handle pressure.
"With improv, you have nothing planned. You go without a plan and you need to just be able to react to whatever happens," Rupert said. "It teaches you how to essentially have an answer for everything."
Corey Reisman, a sophomore political science major and secretary of UB Improv, has improv experience from high school. The group has allowed him to expand in his past experience as a performer.
"It's definitely made me funnier," Reisman added jokingly. "At least, I hope it's made me funnier. It's [also] helped me be more spontaneous and work in a team [because] you can't lone-wolf it in improv; it just doesn't work."
Just as important as these skills and lessons are, the golden rule of improve remains: the "Yes, And ..." principle.
It enables UB Improv members to embrace the unorthodox situations they are faced with when performing, according to Ruby.
"When something's happening in a scene, you don't deny it; you take it and roll with it. That's a big [lesson] to apply to life, in general," Ruby said. "If something bad happens you take it and roll with it."
The motto has held true since UB Improv's humble beginnings. Despite any of the struggles it has faced, UB Improv has taken them, rolled with them and outlasted all of them.
Salmin, who will be graduating with several of his other fellow club members - Ruby and Rupert included - feels a sense of hope for the future of UB Improv.
"I think the [newcomers] and whoever else is sticking around will be confident enough to push [UB Improv] along," Salmin said. "We've got a lot of motivated people and a lot of very talented people. I think they're going to take this club in good directions."
UB Improv's next event, "Walk the Plank," will be held March 20 at 7 p.m. in SU 330, with free admission. UB Improv holds weekly workshops on Mondays from 7-9 p.m. in the SU Theater.

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com