Mukta Pillai
Viewpoints Editor
On Saturday, Sept. 19, Don’t Throw Shoes held their first improv show of the year in Lean Lecture Hall. The show, titled “The Oil and Gemstones Show”, coincided with Homecoming Weekend, allowing alumni and students alike to attend. Don’t Throw Shoes improv troupe was formed in 1990 and has continued to highlight the talents of students through improvised comedy performances.
With an introduction from Co-Presidents Henry Walter-Wilde ’27 and Rinoa Brandsema ’28, the Shoes stepped forward to introduce themselves. “The Oil and Gemstones show” cast included: Walter-Wilde and Brandsema, Treasurer Fern Cross ’29, Secretary Ellie Wright ’28, Afton Camlin ’27, Kieran Tobin ’27, Ian Wells ’30 and Penelope McFadden ’28.
The Shoes began with their first game, “Freeze!”, in which two cast members acted out a scene until someone shouted “Freeze!”, allowing other actors to replace them in the pose they were in and start a new scene.
The second game, “Just Plain Folks,” was set up as a game show. Three Shoes came to the front and picked unique characters, pitched by audience members. With Walter-Wilde acting as the game show host, the actors included Camlin as a hemophobic doctor; Wright as a distressed yodeler with a sore throat; and Tobin as a questionable businessman. The “plain folks” then discussed a topic (in this case, favorite vegetables), pitched by the audience.
“I really enjoyed the humor and ad-lib, the way that the Shoes members were able to riff off each other so seamlessly was really impressive,” said Esther Lamb ’27. “I am excited to see what they do next!”
The third game, called “2, 4, 7!”, used three Shoes who chose two, four or seven words to use throughout the scene. The audience members suggested niche locations, allowing the cast to improvise a scene with their given words and the proposed location.
The fourth game, “Director,” showcased the Shoes’ quick adaptability as they acted out a scene in various genres and tropes in order to appease the “Director.”
The fifth game, “Pocketline,” gathered more audience participation as the Shoes passed a hat for attendees to submit paper slips with phrases to incorporate.
“Don’t Throw Shoes is great! Not only is it a great chance to have fun and be playful, which I feel like there really isn’t enough of, but it’s a great way to practice thinking quickly and communicating with your scene partners,” said Wright. “These guys are some of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with, and I’m honored to be able to make jokes alongside them!”
The show ended with a skit titled, “World’s Worst,” with the audience suggesting niche occupations for the Shoes to act out. Occupations included a firefighter, an Olympic break dancer and a crematory operator. With Shoe alums, community members, alumni and students, the show had a successful turnout.
If interested in future Don’t Throw Shoes events, follow @dont.throwshoes on Instagram for the monthly newsletter and notice on future shows!
