by Bill Cutler
Staff Writer
In the midst of a “rebuilding year,” the Appalachian
State University student improvisational group Noun comes to Legends
tonight.
After losing three of its founding members to graduation, Chicago
and Los Angeles, Noun moves into 2004 with its first show of the
year.
Specializing in short-form improvisational games made famous on
television shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway,” Noun
also mixes in long-form bits, setting up scenes for more “thinking-man”
comedy pieces.
“When you take larger risks you tend to get bigger laughs,”
sophomore Noun member Nat W. Bailey said.
The team is rounded out by seniors Timothy E. Young Jr., Seth D.
Olson and Bailey and newcomers Matthew P. Herr and Ira E. Sargent.
“I know a lot of the people coming expect some of the old
members, but I have a lot of confidence in the new guys, and I really
think we’ll be an amazing group,” Bailey said.
The new members were added on through a long audition process that
included many practice games challenging newcomers to develop relationships
with the rest of the participants.
The audition process was also a way for the returning members to
look at potential members from an overall perspective, not just
from one hilarious bit.
“The thing with improv is that you have off days and to have
just one audition day is unfair to a performer,” Bailey said.
Noun has also recently participated in many improvisation workshops,
including the Chicago Improv Festival and Dirty South Improv Festival,
which took place in Chapel Hill.
Both offered the members of Noun an opportunity to show of their
abilities as well as work with seasoned experts, coaching them in
the art of the truly random.
With a motto that reads “Truth, Comedy, Destruction,”
one can only expect the sheer absurdity Noun will bring to the Legends
stage tonight at 9 p.m.
“It’s really nerve-wracking, but when it turns out good,
it’s worth it.
"If you can channel that energy into strong characters and
scenes, it’s worth it,” Bailey said.
Tickets are $3 for the public.
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