By Flynn Demapendan-Espana
The last improv show is commencing on Friday, May 23. The Benicia Improvisational Theater Ensemble (B.I.T.E) is ending the school year with a bang by giving a performance to enjoyers of theater and the improv troupe. This being the last show, it also means that it is the last improv show for the seniors in the troupe. Malik Rahim and Spencer Reynolds are the seniors who are going to be hosting the improv show.
Reflecting on the past four years that Rahim and Reynolds were in improv, the two always had a beginning. “To be honest, I really only did improv all four years because my friends did it, and I really only did it my senior year because I thought, ‘Well, I came this far, I might as well’,” said Rahim.
Reynolds, on the other hand, joined the improv troupe because he wanted to have “bragging rights” about doing improv all four years. “For me to say, ‘Yeah I did improv all four years of high school, what did you do?’” said Reynolds.
Along with kicking off their senior year and last show, the new transition into college life is imminent for both seniors, integrating into new lives to focus on their new careers, and… possibly improv. “Improv has been such a wonderful community as well as creative outlet for me,” says Reynolds, “..so I do intend to keep on improvising throughout my college years.”
“Performing improv: no, absolutely not,” says Rahim, expressing his disinterest on staying on the stage in his college years. “However, I do hope to assist with coaching the improv team at BHS next year.”
Being on the team for all four years, the seniors have seen many newcomers come in and seniors leave. With the improv troupe, it is important for everyone to be close and have a bond to have everything work out on stage.
“In improv you must trust your ensemble to support you and make you look good on stage,” says Rahim when he explains the chemistry behind the trope, “so it is this aspect of improv that creates an improv family. You trust your fellow improvisers and, in turn, you create a bond that is unbreakable.”
Reynolds views the troupe to be more than a group of people who help each other make a scene. “Improv acted as a conduit to meet new people, but also to reinforce existing friendships. It helped create this wonderful dynamic as everyone got to know each other and support each other during rehearsals, the shows, and, of course, [when we go to] Nations [afterwards],” says Reynolds as he expresses his love and appreciation for the troupe.
As the improv troupe continues to progress and change over the years, the director, Nichole Clark, is the head of it all. Mrs. Clark has been supporting the theater department in the Benicia School District for many years, helping all the schools and boosting the theater department with her creations.
This year she has been the director for the school’s play, A Midwinter’s Night Dream, and the school’s musical, Addams Family. Her hard work was able to push many students to their limit and perform amazing shows for the audience at BHS.
“Ensemble is everything!” says Clark as a message for all the departing seniors. “The power of sharing energy with others; of creation and success together, is so much greater than when alone. This is where bonds are formed and personal elevation is happening through connection. SO POWERFUL! That, and laughter is really the best medicine. Bad day? Laugh WITH others and suddenly all is well.”
For the future of improv and theater, Clark wants to make it stronger, more supported, and even more theatrical than it was this year. “Additionally, we are looking at traveling outside of our school to participate in cage matches and competitions with other high schools, introducing improv to younger students via performances for middle/elementary schools,” exclaims Clark in her new hopes for theater in the next year.
The last improv show will happen on Friday, May 23 in the Performance Arts Building! Come down and see it, using the code “ZNUY899” for 20% off your ticket when you buy it online!
beniciapaw.com 