There was plenty of movement, laughter, growling and just plain fun Monday when actors auditioning for the newly formed Bradford Little Theatre Improv Troupe did their best to improvise during Monday’s audition.
The audition, held at Togi’s Playhouse at 18 Welch Ave., was the final audition of three and is expected to net as many as 14 or more actors, 18 and older, who are naturally inclined to act out scenes and scenarios suggested to them. The shows can be family friendly or adult-rated, depending on what is suggested by the audience.
The improv troupe, co-directed by Tim and Kristin Kessel, will hold rehearsals from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the playhouse. The troupe will hold their first performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 23,. at the Palmer Opera House in Cuba, N.Y. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The performances is part of BLT’s 23rd season.
Kristin Asinger said she and her husband have held improv workshops at BLT, as well as at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford over the past few years. They have studied, taught and performed improv, however, for 20 years in several communities in the country.
“Two winters ago, every Saturday we had improv workshops for all ages,” Asinger recalled. “But we’ve also done workshops” for BLT plays and Missoula Children’s Theater this summer.
“Improv helps people with their acting skills, learning how to listen and work as a team and character development,” she explained. “It’s good for everyone, but improv is also a skill that you work on and develop.”
Kessel said she and her husband believed they spent enough time on the workshops and wanted to develop a team that could entertain once a month for organizations, club meetings and other functions.
“What we do is very close to the (television) show, ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway,’” she continued. “The audience can give suggestions and we could perform a scene right off the top of our heads. Every show is different; that’s the fun of it because you never know what is going to happen.”
Mike Clark was one of the actors auditioning Monday and said he wanted to participate as he has ad-libbed in many stage performances.
“It’s much easier for me to (just spew) whatever’s in my mind,” Clark remarked. “It can be some fun stuff or the sound of crickets in the audience.”
Lori Vickery, who auditioned at the two previous tryouts, said she enjoyed the art form.
“It was a lot of fun” at the other auditions, she said with a laugh.
Kessel said any organization or business is welcome to reach out to them to perform.
“For example, if a local bar wants to have us (perform) because they don’t have a band that night, we could do an improv show,” she stated, adding donations for the performances will be requested.
“None of us will be making any money, we’ll be donating it to BLT,” she concluded.
For more information on the troupe, contact Kessel at kristinasinger49@gmail.com or message Bradford Little Theatre on Facebook.
