Fairfield University's Theatre Fairfield continues its 2010-2011 season with ... On The Spot Improv November 19 and 20 | Press Releases

Image: On the Spot Improv Theatre Fairfield, Fairfield University's resident production company, continues its 2010-2011 season with "On The Spot Improv," under the direction of the department of visual and performing arts' adjunct professor Yvonne Conybeare. The improvisational troupe will perform at the PepsiCo Theatre on Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday Nov. 20 with shows at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on both days. Tickets will be sold at the door of the PepsiCo theatre on the day of the show. OTS is an Arts & Mind presentation.

The award-winning "On The Spot Improv" troupe, 2nd place winners in last year's "play-by-play" ImprovBoston College Comedy Beanpot Tournament, will perform in the style of "Harold." This improv form, well known to improv devotees, is based on three unrelated scenes generated by audience suggestions. The scenes are redone three times, interspersed with group games and through the exploration of themes and ideas, the scenes converge and emerge in new and unexpected ways. OTS members will create film-like scenes based on audience participation and are expected to develop his or her own twist on the idea - sculpting and stylizing it into a documentary-like scene, complete with camera angles and interviews.

The "Harold" form differs from the play-by-play form in that play-by-play requires performers to literally improvise a full play before the audience's eyes while the "Harold" form focuses on the spontaneous development and convergence of three basic scenes. The "Harold" improvisers have studied the form in courses that cultivate fundamental improv skills and focus them on the components of comedy. OTS integrates short-form games and develops dynamic relationships while creating an hour-long show guaranteed to make all that attend ache with laughter.

The hysterically funny troupe is composed completely of Fairfield University students including repeat improvisers Alexandra Burke '11 (Fairfield, Conn.), Tom Saporito '12 (Larchmont, N.Y.), Andrew O'Shaughnessy '11 (Princeton Junction, N.J.), Zachary Tesoriero '11 (New York, N.Y.), and Amanda Xeller '11 (Houston, Texas). Joining OTS this year are senior Peter Sweeney (Mahwah, N.J.), junior Casey Grambo (Goshen, Conn.), and sophomore Lauren Sippin (Newtown, Conn.).

Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 for seniors and University staff, and $5 for students. For more information contact Amanda Xeller at amanda.xeller@student.farifield.edu .