On Saturday, Sept. 7, “Scooby-Doo” clips played in a dimly lit Rose Hills Theatre. The audience awaited the 5C improv troupe Underground Theatrical Institute’s (UTI) first show of the semester.
The troupe began with their signature, interactive games. They asked audience members to suggest characters, settings and scenarios, which the performers used as foundations for their improvised skits.
One act took the audience to a unique couple’s therapy session. The twist? The audience had suggested an unusual conflict: grass and grass allergies.
In one improvised scene, one actor took on the role of a personified blade of grass, while their partner, played by another actor, struggled with a severe grass allergy. Meanwhile, a third actor portrayed a therapist. The couple found themselves navigating the trials of an interspecies relationship.
Tierney O’Keefe SC ’24, a member of UTI, commented on the number of actors onstage. O’Keefe said the presence of more people on stage throughout the show creates a sense of shared responsibility and mutual support.
“Sometimes when it’s just two people and you’re by yourself, there’s a lot of holes in the net to fall through, but I feel like when there are more people, there’s more cohesion,” O’Keefe said.
There’s a moment in every good improv show where things take a turn from the unexpected to the truly bizarre, leaving the audience wondering how on earth they got from one point to another. For UTI, that moment came during a game they call “Scripps Presents.”
Three performers took the stage: one as the host, another as the speaker who began in pure gibberish and the third as the translator. The topic? Psychedelic mushrooms. But this wasn’t a straightforward journey through “shroom” lore. After an enlightening psychedelic-fueled revelation, the story swiftly veered off into Nebraska, with plans to start an Etsy shop. The narrative continued to twist and turn, culminating in a love affair involving a disillusioned woman named Cheryl.
Audience member Tatum Peterson PZ ’28 discussed how improv shows such as this one offer a much-needed break for many college students.
“It’s just important to laugh, especially when things get hard; it’s important to have that happiness in your life,” Peterson said.
Julia Scott PZ ‘28, another audience member, elaborated further on how the humor of the evening was fueled by the audience’s involvement.
“Audience participation makes you feel more connected to the show, and it’s cool to see your ideas play out,” Scott said.
UTI has more shows lined up this semester, and they’re opening auditions to anyone curious. If you’re interested in seeing where their next unscripted journey takes them, follow along on Instagram: @uti_rofl.
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