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Need a laugh? Chicago and suburban improv troupes create comedy online

Improvisational performers follow the playful mantra of “Yes, and ...” to create comedy on the spot. But the coronavirus pandemic has thrown up a temporary barrier of “Not now!” that prevents performers and audiences from interacting in person.

So Chicago and suburban improv troupes and schools have shifted their merrymaking online. Some are following social distancing guidelines by doing live shows via meeting apps such as Zoom, while others are releasing prerecorded content on social media.

“We're all essentially script-less now,” said The Second City Executive Vice President Kelly Leonard. “We're all just making it up.”

With more than six decades of history, The Second City is a big comedy dog in Chicago with flourishing outposts in Toronto and Hollywood. Thanks to its preexisting online classes and corporate divisions, The Second City was able to adapt and share information between departments to create a thrice-weekly virtual comedy show called “Improv House Party” that launched on April 2. They've also created a family-friendly “Really Awesome Improv Show,” too.

“We have thousands of people from all over the world coming in and saying 'Hi' to each other,” said Leonard about the free online shows that are also fundraisers for The Second City Alumni Fund.

Jaime Moyer, clockwise from upper left, Mark Campbell, E.R. Fightmaster, Frank Caeti and E.J. Cameron finish an improvised comedy sketch as part of The Second City's online "Improv House Party" on Saturday, April 11. Courtesy of Zoom

Leonard admits there were some initial bugs with buffering issues and trolls leaving inappropriate comments in the chat room. But the online shows have brought together quarantined comedy couples and solo performers from all over North America. They've also featured the occasional star or two such as “Whose Line is it Anyway?” stalwart Colin Mochrie and his spouse, Deb McGrath.

“I'm amazed, but not shocked, that we've been able to grow this stuff as quickly as we have,” Leonard said. “It's live, it's in the moment and there's a sense of connection.”

Another Chicago improv stalwart, ComedySportz, hosts virtual competitions via Zoom on Fridays and Saturdays. Its storytelling series “Vino Veritas” goes up Wednesday, April 22.

Wheaton-based Westside Improv turned to Zoom to perform an improvised comedy show online. Courtesy of Westside Improv/Zoom

Suburban improv theaters are adapting as well. Wheaton-based Westside Improv, Libertyville-based Improv Playhouse and Laugh Out Loud Theatre with locations in Schaumburg and Chicago have all shifted their comedy classes online.

But their approaches to online performances differ. Since March 28, Westside Improv has been producing live Saturday evening shows via Zoom. Prerecorded content posted on Facebook proved to be more ideal to Elgin-based GreenRoom Improv and Laugh Out Loud.

Members of Laugh Out Loud Theater in Schaumburg perform an online episode of "Masterpiece Gallery" where they portray artists who pass off children's artwork as their own. Courtesy of Laugh Out Loud Theater/Facebook

“We played a game called 'Masterpiece Gallery' where the actors play pretentious artist characters passing off submitted children's drawings as their own,” said Laugh Out Loud owner Lillie Frances.

The coronavirus clamp down came at an inopportune time for these improv troupes. Westside Improv owner Jeff Ash was in the midst of adding a second theater space, while GreenRoom Improv director Dave Hunter said his troupe had to tone down their planned 20th anniversary celebrations this month.

“For us, January to April are our busiest months,” said Laugh Out Loud's Frances, who is urging audiences to buy Social Distance Discount Ticket Packs for when the group resumes live performances.

GreenRoom Improv performers played some improvisational games via Zoom and shared the recorded video via the troupe's Facebook page. The troupe typically performs in Elgin and Huntley. Courtesy of GreenRoom Improv

Laugh Out Loud is also seeking donations via Goldstar.com, while Westside Improv has a campaign going on GoFundMe.com.

“The biggest thing with our shows is I want to provide some levity and laughter to people,” said Ash of Westside Improv. “I'm hopeful that eventually we'll be able to get back to normal.”

“We're all in a fight against this virus,” said Improv Playhouse founder and executive director David Brian Stuart. “There's this need for human interaction and connection that's so important to our culture.”

Improv comedy online

The Second City: “Improv House Party” is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. “The Really Awesome Improv Show” for families is at 1 p.m. Thursday. For Zoom registration, see secondcity.com.

ComedySportz: Virtual improv competitions are at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For Zoom registration, see cszchicago.com.

Laugh Out Loud Theater in Schaumburg and Chicago: laughoutloudtheater.com

Westside Improv in Wheaton: westsideimprov.com

GreenRoom Improv in Elgin and Huntley: greenroomimprov.com

Improv Playhouse in Libertyville: improvplayhouse.com

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