The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Rollins.edu RIP Does Finals: the Rollins Improv Players put students in the end-of-the-year spirit as they performed at last week's show.

Most students are using these times to cram for finals and put their brains through the stress of an all-nighter. However, the Rollins Improv Players (RIP) have decided to exercise their brains in a different way. They are thinking on their feet and entertaining students in the process. In last week's show, "Cut To: Finals Week" the group of students kept onlookers laughing while touching on a variety of subjects. Everything from serious issues, like homo-sexuality and college drama to selecting your roommates were portrayed upon stage. Whatever the subject, and no matter its nature, the Rollins students improvisational abilities kept the audience amused.

The performance told the story of a young couple, Colby Loetz and Shannon Singley, planning on living together their junior years. However, in the "Cut To" format, we went back to important times in our character's lives to learn about the events that shaped them. We learned about Colby's family life and the stress caused on his parents, Joseph Bromfield and Hannah White, by their gay son, Rob Yoho. We also followed Shannon through her life, specifically her relationship with her sister, Alex Vazquez, and the saga with her roommate Liz Weisstein. An additional storyline is the relationship between Colby's roommate, Mike Mastry, and Liz. Mike claims still be in love with Liz, but she is beginning to realize that she is interested in women, specifically Shannon. This leaves Colby to compete for Shannon as well as handle a stressful family life.

Despite dealing with these serious subjects, the cast members kept a light-hearted tone that their improv shows are known for. Dr. David Charles, or Dr. D as he introduced himself, was in charge of the bell that controlled when scenes would switch. He would pick the perfect instant in which to switch scenes or in some occasions he would let scenes go on just long enough to maximize the entertainment of the audience.

The experience of going to a RIP show is an enjoyable one that provides students with a much needed study break, or laugh, during this stressful time of the year. The group has one show remaining this year; there, they will be giving their final farewell to five seniors. I would strongly suggest that anyone who could find time and could use a laugh to attend the performance. The talent and comic flair of our fellow students definitely warrants a visit.

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