Sally Kershner
Features Editor
The College of Wooster’s improvisational comedy group Don’t Throw Shoes (DTS) competed at the College Improv Tournament on Jan. 28 in Columbus, Oh. Returning to the stage this school year, DTS competed once again against other improv troupes from the lower Midwest, as well as schools such as Vanderbilt University and Hamilton College.
The tournament consisted of five college improv comedy groups performing 20 minute sets of material, then having three judges appoint the top two scores.
“Our improv group at the moment consists of five ‘new’ Shoes, and we just got two people back from abroad. We are still finding our rhythm as a group but we managed to pull off a pretty successful set and have a lot of fun with each other!” said Amy Hagedorn ’18.
Although DTS doesn’t have official leaders, Hagedorn and Ashkahn Alikhani ’18 have been in the group since their first year at the College and act as the closest substitute for directors. The current members of DTS are Alikhani, Elyse Echegaray ’20, Colin Ford ’19, Gabe Dale Gau ’18, Hagedorn, Henry Mai ’20, George Marn ’18, Ian Ricoy ’20, Maddie Silver-Riskin ’19 and Bekah Smith ’19.
DTS did not make it to the top two scores of the groups, and chose to not see their own scores, believing that the goal of the tournament was to gain experience.
“The biggest challenge performing with an improv group is that now you can’t just sit back and enjoy the show. Improv is fun to watch and do, but you always want to get better at performing so you’re constantly looking for what you can do better,” said first year member Echegaray.
Not only is performing a challenge, but preparation for the tournament itself is also a journey.
“Staying focused during rehearsals [is a challenge because] we are pretty loud and easily distracted people as well as pretty good friends so we often spend our rehearsal times just making shitty jokes and hanging out,” said Hagedorn.
Finding inspiration through Louis C.K., Conan O’Brien and John Belushi, DTS members are always seeking sources of creativity, new and old, in order to perform their best. Even though this group is humor focused, DTS offers more than just witty jokes, impersonations and silly sketches.
“I truly believe DTS has added a challenging and fulfilling experience to my life and has let me connect with and give something back to the college community which I care about,” said Ford. “It is a creative outlet I did not have before and it really lets me get out of my own head.”
Additionally, the benefits of being a member of an improv comedy group extends to the classroom and higher education.
“I tried out for improv because I want to go to law school. I feel like doing something like improv would help me be more confident talking in front of people and help my critical thinking skills. You have to be sharp doing improv. It has so many practical applications,” said Echegaray.
DTS hopes to host performances in the coming weeks of February, as well as attend future tournaments.