The show included several games focused on engaging their audience. Photo by Maddie Gehling.
Students laughed their tails off as Bradley’s improv group, Barbeque Kitten, put on its first show of the school year Saturday.
Barbeque Kitten is an improv and sketch comedy troupe.
Troupe president Peyton McDermott said they schedule four shows per semester.
Saturday night’s show featured musical activities, guessing games and audience participation. To prepare for shows like this, the troupe hosts weekly open practices.
“We meet each week to learn improv, teach people how to play improv, make jokes and have a good time,” McDermott, a senior theater performance and television arts major, said.
Barbeque Kitten has been a creative presence on campus since it was founded in 2004.
“[The troupe] has been around for quite some time, actually,” Lorelei Volpe, senior psychology major and troupe recruiter, said. “A lot of the founding members created it to have an improv group on campus, but I really think that throughout the years, it’s evolved.”
While each show features the troupe’s members (called “kittens”), any student can participate in the improv games that are played at open practices.
“Every Wednesday night out in front of Bradley Hall from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, we have open practice,” McDermott said. “Anyone can come, anyone can play. That’s our motto.”
Volpe said the group tries to create a good environment for creativity.
“The more that we teach the lessons, the better it is for everyone,” Volpe said. “We want to foster a great environment for people to learn, blow off some steam, and have fun.”
While playing improv games, troupe members also get the chance to practice real-life skills and apply them in a safe environment.
“Improv is all about coming up with ideas and solving dilemmas in short spans of time,” sophomore public relations major and new recruit Chris Dolphin said. “It’s all about thinking on your feet. You learn when to stick to your guns and when to adapt. It hones in on many critical thinking skills.”
During the troupe’s Monday night closed rehearsals, student members receive constructive criticism from each other and practice playing new games.
“Basically, everyone in the troupe looks out for each other,” Dolphin said. “You receive criticism from members of the troupe on how to keep working towards playing the game as best you can. It’s a big family, and that’s so critical.”
Barbeque Kitten’s next show is scheduled for Oct. 17.
“It will be a themed show, so stay tuned for that,” McDermott said.
More information on the troupe can be found at bbqkitten.com or their Facebook page.
