SSU Improvaholics make it up as they go

It’s midnight on Friday night, and instead of turning in for the evening, a group of impetuous young thespians head for the basement of Sonoma State University’s Theatre Arts and Dance building.

For the next few hours, they challenge their own creativity while entertaining their audience, with the kind of improvisational live theater made famous by George Carlin, Robin Williams and Chicago’s Second City theater troupe.

For the past 13 years, the members of SSU Improvaholics have focused themselves on the art of improv comedy, which requires quick thinking and often results in hilarious fun. The group attracts between 10 and 25 members each year, students who supplement their weekly practices with underground performances that are among the best kept secrets on campus.

So far this year, the troupe has hosted 13 shows, including a newcomer’s night, with three more planned before the end of the semester. They are held on Friday nights at midnight, a tradition since the club started.

“It has that late night, gritty feel to it because it happens so late,” said Jake Burke, a senior theatre major and president of the group. He did improv at his San Diego high school and has belonged to the SSU Improvaholics all four years.

“There is a surprise factor in it. You can come out being an old man, a woman or a small child and make the audience laugh while doing something you love.”

Jason Vitkovich, also a senior, said being part of the troupe is all about the opportunity to make people laugh. “Making someone laugh is a such a great feeling,” he said.

“You hit the reset button every scene and nothing is scripted,” said Vitkovich, who was introduced to the art form at his San Jose high school. “You might come in with a potato and end with a space ship.”

About 15 regular members - five females and 10 males who range from freshmen to seniors - meet twice weekly for the practices that are the club’s real focus. That’s an optimal size, Burke said, enough different people to work with while leaving some to serve as an audience.

Practice days might concentrate on developing characters, starting scenes, using props or any number of other areas, with Vitkovich and Burke leading each practice session. Based on what they see, the two leaders and Ian Webb, next year’s club president, decide who will perform in public.

“We use small shows to put people in who we think are ready,” said Vitkovich, “but we are careful that people are ready before the midnight show because we don’t want a player to lose confidence from a bad show.”

Generally they try to ensure everyone gets on stage, but only when they are ready.

“One bad scene isn’t too rough, but a bad show can really mess up your confidence when you are just getting started,” Vitkovich explained.

A typical Improvaholics show taps only five players, with four acting out a scene and the fifth calling out the scene. The format is similar to the long-running television show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” which features a regular cast of improv veterans.

Burke and the Improvaholics tackle a series of spontaneous sketches using random ideas from the audience, with the intention of making their fellow students laugh.

“It’s great to see the smile on their face as you are right there in front of them making it happen,” said Vitkovich, who is known for roaming the audience during sketches.

The Improvaholics will host three more shows this year: April 10, April 24 and May 8. All shows are in Ives 76 on the SSU campus, 1805 E. Cotati Ave. Seating starts at 11:30 p.m., with shows starting at midnight. Admission is free.

For more information, visit Facebook/SSU-Improvaholics.

Contact Rohnert Park Towns Correspondent Nick Walden at rparktowns@gmail.com.