Before every Improvaganza performance, chants and laughter fill the room as cast members participate in lively pre-show rituals. These traditions are full of inside jokes which add to the experience for the performers, junior Lulu Bouchard explained. Gathering in a classroom, they cheer for one another, creating a sense of friendly competition between the teams.

Improvaganza, the annual student-run drama performance, returned to South on Nov. 21. The 75-minute show featured a series of short-form improvisational performances. Math Teacher Joe Karlovsky has directed the production for the past eight years. The performance operated in three teams, each with four to five members. Cast members spent about four weeks rehearsing, where they learned the essential skills needed to keep the essence of spontaneity while still creating a polished performance, Karlovsky added.

“There is all this work behind the scenes so that the show truly looks smooth and improvised,” Karlovsky said. “[Because] we don’t plant [lines], we have rehearsal every day after school for about two and a half to three hours.”

The cast prepares for their performances through building strong connections, junior Gretchen Williamson said. Each game encourages openness, often leading to funny or surprising moments, creating a supportive atmosphere that is crucial for their performances, Williamson added.

“I love doing the improv games with [the cast] because you’re kind of vulnerable [at] that moment,” Williamson said. “It’s embarrassing sometimes to perform and improvise because you don’t know how it’s going to go, so it’s a great bonding experience.”

Rehearsals for Improvaganza emphasize trust and teamwork, sophomore William Hanneman explained. A fundamental rule of improv is to never say no to a suggestion, Hanneman said. This collaborative approach allows the cast to connect on a deeper level, helping them focus on supporting one another, Hanneman added.

“It’s less of worrying about what you’re doing and how you can support yourself, and more about supporting your partner, because everyone else in the scene is supporting you,” Hanneman said.

Due to Improvaganza’s unusual nature, rehearsals are less formal and more “low-key”, Bouchard explained. The camaraderie and laughter makes the experience feel like socializing not just a formal practice, Bouchard added.

“It’s called ‘rehearsal,’ but to me, it’s more just hanging out with friends,” Bouchard said.