CIC
2024
From August 14th to August 18th, 2024 the FIRST College Improv Conference took place. Thanks to the efforts of 129 improv heroes, most of them current collegiate improvisers at the time, this first of it's kind improv conference was a tremendous success.
The conference aimed to explore the critical minutia of successfully running a collegiate improv comedy troupe from as many angles as possible. This first conference was entirely online. Below are the recordings of the 8 panel discussion that comprised our first conference!
2024, EIGHT PANELS
Panel #1:
BUILDING YOUR IMPROV TEAM: AUDITIONS & CASTING
Team composition is critical to your group's success, but no one solution is perfect for every group. Join our speakers and moderator for a lively conversation on general audition formats, timing, callbacks & casting.
Moderator: Nelson Velazquez (Improductions)
Panelists: Skylar Bachisin (Stonybrook University), Tate Denham (Furman University), Harrison Wright (James Madison University)
Panel #3:
THE PRECARIOUS ACT OF BALANCING IMPROV WITH SKETCH
Students who love improv often also love sketch (not to mention stand up, storytelling, satire publications, etc...). How should improv teams find balance between these interests and can they be used to build momentum in the pursuit of improv excellence?
Moderator: Murph McHugh (Improv Dojo)
Panelists: Cosmas Bwambok (Ball State University), Lydia Montoya-Enderle (Miami of Ohio University), Ivy Nugent (Ball State University) & Marissa Salett (Bard College)
Panel #5:
SHOW FORMATS & TALL TALES
Why do we do improv anyway? Well, the show is the thing, isn't it? Sit back and get ready to smile as some of college improv's most prolific improvisers share their favorite formats, most hilarious fiascos and proudest triumphs!
Moderator: Beth Appel (UCB Theatre LA)
Panelists: Joe Gailey (University of Michigan), Vic Lightwine (Purdue University), Skylar Bachisin (SUNY Stonybrook), Nick Bressler (Temple University)
Panel #7:
PUTTING BUTTS IN SEATS: EFFECTIVE CAMPUS MARKETING
If an improv show happens in the middle of the woods with no one around, can you hear the laughter and applause? Best not to find out. Instead find out tips and tricks from the best in the game of marketing improv comedy to college students!
Moderator: Jake Compton (Harrisburg Improv Theatre)
Panelists: Max White (Elon University), Shyanne Mitchell (Ball State University), Zoe Casten (Stevens Institute), Cole McGuire (Trinity University)
Panel #9:
REHEARSING HOW TO MAKE THINGS UP WITH NO PREPARATION
There are good rehearsals and there are bad rehearsals. What determines what sort of rehearsal you're about to have? Best practices, favorite exercises, effective warm ups, ideal rehearsal rooms and more will be investigated!
Moderator: Micaela Fagan (Theatre Strikeforce, NYC Stand Up)
Panelists: Sathvik Manam (Purdue University), Lauren Sterne (Colgate University), Cade Wiliams (Louisiana State University), Clare Hickey (Ohio University)
Panel #2:
ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN:
IS THERE METHOD TO THIS MADNESS???
Some improv teams have 6 members, some have 30. Others teach improv to the broader student body, while others practice 3 times a week. This panel will leave no stone unturned while searching for the whys & wherefores.
Moderator: Connor Ratliff (UCB Theatre NY)
Panel: Casey Berkery (University of Central Florida), Grant Bruns (Bowling Green State University), Isaac Empson (Texas A&M - Corpus Christi), Marissa Salett (Bard College)
Panel #4:
MAKE ME FUNNY:
TEACHING IMPROV AT COLLEGE
Teaching improv to your student peers can be a challenging endeavor. Exercises, tactical approaches and reasonable goals will serve as the underscore of a lively give and take from students on the front line of improv education.
Moderator: Molly Thomas (UCB Theatre NY)
Panelists: Dan Haley (Elon University), Nick Hassan (Cleveland State University), Ethan Rapier (Appalachian State University), Frank Villalvazo, (Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi)
Panel #6:
LIFE AFTER COLLEGIATE IMPROV: DOES IT EVEN EXIST?
What happens to all the improvisers who were seniors last year? Do they just disappear? Are they banished to a dull, grey purgatory of ash in which nothing is funny and no one ever asks you for a suggestion, much less gives you one? Find out!
Moderator: AJ McCombs (Baltimore Improv Group)
Panelists: Levi Collins (Western Washington State University), Cole Wright (Graceland University), Julia Light (Penn State University), Andrew Alford (SUNY Purchase)
Panel #8:
WAIT, ARE SHORT FORM AND LONG FORM IMPROV THE SAME THING?
Sometimes a long form set is over too soon, and sometimes a short form set drags on and on? So are they the same thing? Passionate practitioners of both discuss!
Moderator: Jon Branch (House Improv)
Panelists: Cosmas Bwambok (Ball State University), Macy Fletcher (Ohio University), Ore Onasanya (Louisiana State University), Cole McGuire (Trinity University)
Panel #10:
SUCCESSION:
WHO WILL INHERIT OUR COLLEGE IMPROV EMPIRES?
Reversals of fortune can show up quickly when large groups of seniors graduate leaving a scant few behind. A review of casting policies and institutional safeguards that can be used to eliminate the need to start over from zero each and every year.
Moderator: Kate Zelensky (UCB Theatre NY)
Panelists: Jordan Vanderkamp (Calvin University), Audrey Sparrow (James Madison University), Sam McQuate (Ohio State University), Tate Denham (Furman University), Ethan Rapier (Appalachian State University)
2024 Confirmed Moderators
CEO & Instructor at Improductions, LLC, Board Member at Salsation Theatre Company & Instructor at Second City
Micaela Fagan
NYC Improviser, Past Creative Director of Theatre Strikeforce, UFL
2024 Featured College Improvisers
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Ellie Radabaugh
Director,
Bad Genetics
Bowling Green State Univ
Ethan Rapier
President,
NOUN
Appalachian State Univ
