For committed junior Davay Henry, improv is so much more than just performing in front of other individuals.
Henry, an occupational therapy and psychology major, says improv has given her a platform where she can freely express herself. At 15 years old, she received a diversity scholarship that gave her the opportunity to perform in front of diverse audiences and build her confidence. She’s currently the president of the UB Improv Club and has made it her main focus at UB.
Q: How did you start Improv?
A: I’ve been doing improv for five years now, I started in [New York City] and received a diversity scholarship for it. First I was nervous because I’ve never interacted with different kinds of people and I was very intimidated because I thought that everyone was funnier than me. Then after class people would come up to me and tell me they thought I was funny and then I’d realize it was all in my head.
Q: What have you gained from Improv?
A: I definitely gained a lot of self-confidence when people first meet me I’m very quiet. Now I’m able to talk to people and be more social compared to when I first came to college.
Q: One piece of advice you’d give to incoming freshmen?
A: Try everything at least once, and I say that very lightly. Not necessarily something you wouldn’t want your mother to know about. You should try something and then you’ll see if it’s for you or not.
Q: What is one thing you’ve done that you wish you could have done differently?
A: I fully believe that every experience I’ve been through has shaped me into the person that I am today. The most embarrassing things that I’ve been through have made me into a better person. Things can only exist in your memory, but once you let them go you become better.
Davila Tarakinikini is a double English/Philosophy major. She's excited to continue photographing different events for The Spectrum this semester, as well as continuing on the pre-law track.
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
