Stevenson improv troupe to perform Tuesday, Dec. 16

Stevenson High School's improv troupe, the Failed Presidential Candidates, is named on behalf of the school's namesake, Adlai E. Stevenson II, who failed - not once, but twice - to become president of the United States.

FPC, which began in 2010, is an audition-based troupe with a roster of 21 students, including three student captains. This year's group includes 15 seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen.

"It's an incredible group of kids who are very dedicated and focused. We spend a lot of time working on trust and collaboration, which benefits them both in performance and extracurricularly," said sponsor Paula Nowak, who is a fine arts educator at Stevenson.

The Failed Presidential Candidates performed in front of a sold-out crowd at the Improv Playhouse in Libertyville Saturday, Dec. 6. Next up is a show at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Stevenson's West Auditorium. Admission is free.

FPC shows run 45-50 minutes and typically feature short-form improv games that rely on audience participation. In the second semester, the group will be expanding into sketch and exploratory structure.

The troupe has performed for hundreds of students during Odyssey, Stevenson's biannual fine arts festival. The two-day event is a celebration of the arts that exposes all students to fine arts performances and classes.

They were also booked to perform at the Patriot Parent Association book fair at the Deer Park Barnes and Noble Saturday, Dec. 13. In January, the group will work with the SHS varsity boys lacrosse team to help build verbal and nonverbal communication and trust on the field.

Stevenson High School is at 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire.