A performer steps on the stage of Blue Brick Theater. There is no script or rehearsal for what comes next. Instead, a group of creative performers work together to craft a scene entirely in the moment, guided only by imagination, collaboration, and audience participation.

This is the core of improvisation, or improv, a form of theater built on creating plot, dialogue, and characters on the spot for an audience. In State College, Happy Valley Improv has been bringing this unique style of theater to the community since 2017. The company started after four improvisers came together to form a community organization, focused on spreading the art of improv in State College through shows, classes, and workshops. Today, Happy Valley Improv’s events take place at the Blue Brick Theater, which opened in 2021.

For many performers, improv is both a creative outlet and a space where people can step out of their comfort zones to try something new. For member and Learning Enrichment teacher Jessica Bruce, she decided to try an improv class after the pandemic, seeking new opportunities to meet people in State College.

“I would say my favorite part about performances is bringing joy to the audience, like them laughing and having fun too,” Bruce said.

Although improv may seem spontaneous from the audience’s perspective, performers rely on core techniques to help their scenes flow. Improv falls into two main styles: short-form and long-form. Short-form improv consists of actors creating short, standalone scenes based on games, while long-form improv focuses on producing a longer, more developed scene, often compared to a scripted play.

“Short form is much more gamey. It is much more about making both the participants and the audience laugh with quick jokes. Long-form improv is more about building out a story, but it is still very funny, because that’s the nature of improv,” Delta sophomore Fabio Simon said. 

Despite the format, one rule remains crucial to improv: the strategy of “Yes, And.”

“It is the most fundamental part of improv. It basically means whatever your scene partner is saying, you have to run with it. You should always try to just add on, never really subtract,” Simon said.

On March 4, the Blue Brick Theater hosted a midway showcase featuring students from its high school long-form improv class. 

State High freshman Jillian Sherman has been taking improv classes at Happy Valley since fifth grade and performed at the youth showcase.

“Happy Valley Improv specifically, we go through showcases. We will always have the audience say a couple of words, and then we will use those as inspiration,” Sherman said.

“The form that they are working towards is called the Herald. That is going to be about a 30-minute set with about 10 or 12 specific scenes,” Business Director James Tierney said. “Tonight, [March 4], they did just what is called a montage, which is a bunch of scenes that are all based on some sort of inspiration. They did two different openings today. They did a machine, and then they did the word association called popcorn.

The machine game consists of performers working together to create a range of movements and sounds that fit together. The popcorn word association game is where performers say words that connect to the previously spoken word. 

Another notable technique in improv shows includes the comedy that naturally emerges throughout the performance. Performers must recognize and build on audience members’ reactions.

“If you come into a scene and you notice that the audience laughed because you did something silly, then you can kind of do that two or three more times, and that is going to get the audience going. I always say to the students to go towards the fun,” Tierney said.

Moments like these highlight why many performers are drawn to improv. 

“I really like the storytelling and making the character [come to life]. It is really fun and relaxing,” State High junior Brent Saylor said. 

Beyond entertainment, many improvisers say the experience allows them to develop skills that can be applied beyond performing. 

“It definitely helped me a lot with classes where you have presentations. It helps you learn how to think on your feet without getting stressed out,” Sherman said. 

“The main one is listening and being able to respond to the unexpected. Life is always throwing you curveballs. And what improv kind of trains you to do is to be able to quickly react, adjust, and then respond in a productive manner,” Tierney said.

“I think it is so exciting teaching like our seventh to twelfth graders improv, because that age group is so smart, and they have such good ideas. The joy of improv is that you get to share your ideas and have full freedom of creativity on stage. It is really exciting to get to help kids figure out how best to do that,” Henry said.

While improv may seem intimidating at first, many improvisers say the supportive environment encourages performers to take risks and try something outside their comfort zone. 

“I think what stood out to me the most is how non-judgmental the space was. I was really nervous about not being good enough or about people thinking I should not be there, but everybody was so welcoming and on the same page about having fun,” Bruce said. “I think people need to be less worried. Everybody just wants to learn and have fun together.”

Through its classes and shows, Happy Valley Improv provides opportunities for people of all experience levels to craft these skills. For students looking to get involved with improv for the first time, the short-form class is recommended. Happy Valley Improv offers an after-school program designed to help students explore the basics of improv and performing on stage through short-form games. To sign up for the class, use this link. During the summer, Happy Valley Improv offers Youth Improv For Everyone, a camp designed to establish the fundamentals of improv, and Youth Long-Form Improv: High School Camp, a camp designed to introduce long-form improv to experienced performers. 

For more information or additional questions, please contact the youth director, Michaela Henry, at [email protected].

¨It is really exciting to learn something new. At the Blue Brick Theater and at Happy Valley Improv, we really welcome everyone. We like to see people’s creativity and help them grow it. And no matter what, even if you do not think you are a creative person, there is something that you can be creative about. There is something you are knowledgeable about. You have all these life experiences, and you can bring them to improv,” Henry said. 

To view the calendar of events at the Blue Brick Theater, click here.

Editor’s Note: Jillian Sherman is currently a contributing writer for the Lions’ Digest. Sherman did not review this article before publication or have any influence over its contents.