Lauren Pearson is a senior cast member of the Prospect Improv Squad, who performed an improv comedy show during homecoming week hosted by Chris Petlak of 101.9 FM’s The Morning Mix.
Q: What makes this style of [improv] performance different from a more scripted performance?
A: I guess the obvious thing is that it’s not scripted, so you have to work off the top of your head which is really scary, but sometimes you’ll get good ideas and then you’re able to use them. It’s also fun because [the cast members] can work off each other. So if one person’s really stuck, you can jump in and help them, or if you’re stuck you can look to another person.
Q: What do you like about being on stage compared to off-stage student directing, something you’ve done in the past?
A: I really like being onstage! I’ve been doing dance since I was about two, so I’ve always grown up onstage, but it’s really cool to be on stage in a different way. Recently, I’ve been doing more acting, which is not the same as very traditional ballet on-stage. So it’s really fun to branch out, especially with improv. It’s really terrifying and [at first] I didn’t know I wanted to do it – I actually joined on accident. I just happened to be there during the meeting and I was like, “Actually, sure. I’ll join.” It was kind of a spur of the moment thing, but it’s really fun and I’m so glad I did it [since] it’s another opportunity to be on stage.
Q: The turnaround for this show has been quick, given that you are performing on Wednesday. What’s been your favorite part of the process for this show?
A: I just really like learning new things. It almost felt like a class – in a good way. When we were meeting after school, JMo was teaching us the different [improv] games and giving us tips on how to perform improv well, and what to do, what not to do. I’m just very interested in all things theatre-wise, so to learn something completely foreign was really cool. And I like working with people; being able to be on stage with my friends and work off of each other and create funny scenes you didn’t even know you would create. Like, suddenly you’re on stage and you’re a child or something, and it’s really fun … it’s scary and I want to do something that’s a little scary. I want to branch out and show myself I can do it.
Q: After you do this production, are there any other styles you might want to challenge yourself with in the future?
A: Probably. I’m doing speech this year, which is really scary, but it’s something I really want to do. In the past two years I’ve been branching out and doing scary things – trying out for “Disaster” [last year] was really scary. I’m probably going to try out for “Something Rotten” and FKL [Friday Knight Live].
Q: As you start to explore those different avenues more, what’s the thing you’re gonna miss most about Prospect’s theatre and fine arts community once you end your senior year?
A: Probably the people. There’s a really good community, not only in theatre, but in music and art. I have so many friends in different grades and it’s sad that it’s the last year. Since I joined [theatre] late, I just got to know everybody, so I’ll probably miss them a lot. I’ll miss the connections and the fun moments, like rehearsing or when we’re sitting in the office for student directing and eating candy. I’ll probably just miss all the moments I had with people.
Q: Do you plan to go into a career where you could use the skills you’ve learned in some of these productions?
A: I’m thinking of going into theatre education with an endorsement or a double major or minor in either English education or history education, but I definitely want to do education. I want to be someone like JMo, because [when I was] new to the department he was really supportive and didn’t care how much experience I had. He just wanted to let me branch out and have fun, and I want to be that for people too. Whether or not they’ve been acting their whole life, or if they’re completely new to it, I want to be a good teacher.
