OKCImprov Off to a Grand Season at Reduxion
OKCImprov is now being hosted by Reduxion’s Broadway Theatre at 1613 N. Broadway in Oklahoma City. This location has the advantage of space with. They will be appearing on Saturday nights at 8:00pm and 10:00pm through August.
Saturday, July 28, at the top of the 8:00pm show the fun begins with Kind of a Big Deal. This is a group of teen improvisers from Spotlight Acting Academy. Teacher, Jodi Nestander has brought out the best in these youngsters as they strive to entertain, and in so doing strive to understand human nature. Appearing on Saturday, two troupe members, Leah Clemenson and Libby Ennenga are catapulted into the limelight with dignity and grace. While it seems they had a little trouble sticking with the suggestions given by the audience, the two girls keep the activity and pace up to high standards.
The second troupe to perform is Jodi Nestander and Raychel Winstead in Two’s Company. These two women have excellent rapport with each other and that rapport extends to the audience. The two ask for a photo from the audience and using that photo and several dates suggested by the audience, they create an entire family experience throughout several generations.
A troupe of 8 actors makes up the Ballpark Theatre Company with a delightful long form improvisation. Given a movie genre to base their improvisation upon, they develop an entire script and act out a typical movie based on the audience suggestion. This troupe is quite exciting and has the honor to represent Oklahoma at the upcoming Austin Festival.
These three troupes are the typically hysterical seen at any of the OKCImprov shows. Every Saturday night there are two shows: 8:00pm and 10:00pm. On July 28th, the 10:00pm show features Twinprov with Buck and Clint Vrazel and The Midolls two favorites for Oklahoma City audiences. Also ZOOM! is performing in this time slot.
Each improvisation is different on any given night. The story line for the show is determined by the audience and is very unpredictable. Therefore, the best review method is to review the actors as seen in their various improvisational troupes.
Jodi Nestander is a wonderful improviser. Her ability to react to new and unusual situations with a delightfully hysterical expression is unparalleled. Nestander performs opposite Raychel Winstead in Two’s Company as well as several other troupes. Further this has carried over to her teaching ability as she directs her students from Spotlight Acting Academy in Kind of a Big Deal. Although there are several performers affiliated with the troupe there number varies from show to show. Libby Ennenga and Leah Clemenson show us a delightful teen version of life, and with a little help from the audience creates a memorable story.
Raychel Winstead performs along with Nestander in Two’s Company, Her performance is consistent and her ability to thing on her feet is showcased beautifully in the rapport she has developed with Nestander. Winstead is also a featured performer in several other improve groups and is always a bright addition.
Kyle Gossett provides the musical direction for the next troupe featured July 28. Ballpark Theatre Company consists of 8 superb cast members enacting our favorite movies. The troupe features Gossett, Kyle Brower, Ben Davis, Heather King, Kellen Hodgeson, Tim Huckaby, Jessi Kyle and Jeannette Schreiber. All of these performers exhibit exceptional timing, a difficult task in improvisation. These talented performers are also featured in many of the other improve troupes that Oklahoma City is becoming noted for developing.
OKCImprov is produced by Buck Vrazel, Clint Vrazel, Sue Ellen Reiman and Jeanette Schreiber. Hosted by Reduxion’s Broadway Theater at 1613 N Broadway in Oklahoma City, OKCImprov will showcase outstanding performances each Saturday night at 8:00 and 10:00pm. For more information contact 405-456-9858 or write at okcimprov@gmail.com. Online information is at www.okcimprov.com.
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Good overview, a lot of great talent. The best entertainment around-laugh, sing along, cry, experience so many emotions, participate, & be made to think deeply on many issues. OKC Improv provides some of the most highly intelligent laughs around!