Photo Credits: Flynn Demapendan
By Colton Silva
Benicia High School is filled with a variety of clubs and teams, one of which is the Benicia Improvisational Theatre Ensemble (aka B.I.T.E). B.I.T.E. has been around at BHS since 2021, but Improvisational Theatre has been around at the campus far longer than most may expect. Over the years, Improv at BHS has gained massive traction and become quite popular amongst residents of Benicia. On Friday, October 18th, B.I.T.E. will return with its first show for the 2024-2025 season. I took time to meet up with a few members of the team to see how they are feeling for the upcoming event.
I first went to long-time B.I.T.E. member, Parker Soughers, who has been a part of not only the team since freshman year, but also been a part of every theater production BHS has to offer. I first asked him what his favorite part of being on the team was. He responded, “I really like the freedom of working without a script and the ability to create characters and work around the chemistry that we have as Improvisers that’s not based on anything.” I then asked if he plans to pursue any form of performing after high school. “I’m still somewhat deciding. My current plan is to pursue Theater and Journalism as a double major, and the skills I’m learning in Improv are definitely going to help,” said Soughers.
I decided to move on to a member of the Advanced team that joined me last in my first year of Improv, Xavier Ervin, as we move into our second year. I first asked how he is feeling about being on the Advanced team and what made him continue to stay. “Compared to where I was last year, I feel like I’ve grown a million percent,” he stated. “This was one of my first experiences with theater and with Improv and it was incredibly scary, but the more I did it the more I got used to it and the more I enjoyed it. Coming into this year, I am so ready to be on the Advanced team and perform now that I am accustomed to it.” I then asked what his favorite game/scene is to perform during performances. “One of my favorite games is definitely ‘Half Space’ because you get to work with the whole theater, not just the stage. You repeat the whole scene over and over, except you have space from the whole auditorium [to do the scene,] then half the stage, then only a chair. It allows you to work with a whole other aspect—the space—and I really enjoy that.”
Along with the Advanced B.I.T.E. team, this year sees the introduction of the JV team, “NIBBLE.” I met up with Improv newcomer, Camilla Baldizan, to ask about her experience so far as a new member of the team. “It’s great,” she said. “It’s really fun to do it with multiple people who actually like and try to do acting and Improv.” To conclude the interview, I asked her how she is feeling for his first ever show. “A little bit nervous, but excited and pretty confident that I will do well.”
All of us on both the BITE and NIBBLE teams are thrilled to perform for everyone that shows up this Friday the 18th, at 7 p.m. at BHS. People can buy tickets upfront or online at Tabbs.org. And, if you know an actor on the team, ask for their code and you can get 20% off for online tickets to any future production.
beniciapaw.com 