Dani Gagnon
A&E Editor
Don’t Throw Shoes (DTS), a student improv comedy group, performed in Douglass basement last Thursday to an impressively large and enthusiastic crowd. DTS stepped up their usual strategy in heightening the preshow anticipation; as audience members first entered Douglass they were kept waiting for the doors to open and, when they finally did, the crowd was fervently greeted by DTS members (Ryan McCormack ’14, Sam Schopler ’14, Henry Waldron ’14, Adam Donnelly ’14, Michael Hatchett ’16, Nathan Johnson ’16, Dana Stamos ’16 and Ben Cluss ’17) with high-fives and loud welcomes into the basement where preshow music blasted.
In the past, DTS shows were few and far between, with a handful of appearances each semester. This year, however, comedy lovers can count on weekly hour-long performances from the group. DTS said their decision to have weekly shows stemmed from the group members’ desire to become better comedians. “We figured one of the best ways [to improve] was to increase our performance time,” said the group members in a joint statement.
Last year, it seemed both audience and DTS members became accustomed to what the DTS group now call “lackluster performances.” DTS decided it was time for a change. But despite being a comedy group, this change isn’t all fun and games for the members. The major decision to hold a show each week will involve restructuring their rehearsals for time efficiency and a new focus on specific skill-building.
After just a handful of weeks, the group can already see an improvement in their performances and the audience’s reaction.
“No one in the group has ever been as happy with each other as we are [now],” Hatchett said.
With such positive outlooks on the group, DTS has been planning and putting its goals into motion. In rehearsals the group is currently trying to master long-form improv structure, a very different format from what they’ve done in the past.
Among its long-term goals, the group plans on competing at Regionals for the College Improv Tournament in Indianapolis. If they score well, DTS will be off to Nationals in Chicago. DTS members are particularly excited about these prospects, as the group has never competed in the tournament in its history.
In addition to their focus on the group’s skill-set, they are also tackling their rapport with the administration. Since being banned from the Scheide Music Hall two years ago, DTS’s relationship with the administration in the music department has been rather strained. The group acknowledges their stained history and understands the music department’s caution. However, the members of DTS also assert that they have changed dramatically over the past two years. They feel that they no longer represent the same group that made a mistake two years ago.
Overall, this promises to be a year of change and progress for DTS.
“We really want people that haven’t been to DTS in a while to come check out our new weekly shows because we’re a much better troupe than we’ve ever been,” the group said.