The Pepperdine Improv Troupe, known as PIT, has been running at Pepperdine for 13 years and is known for drawing in packed audiences. PIT has enjoyed suc- cess as one of Pepperdine’s fastest grow- ing organizations in popularity, changing their venue from the HAWC to Elkins Auditorium last year because of the size of the crowds it attracted. However, there is more to PIT than just sidesplitting laughs. For the members of PIT, impro- visation is an artistic expression and being a part of PIT fosters a growth and sense of community that is ever present both on and off stage. The members of PIT this year include: Savannah Gar- rett, Isabela Comerford, Lau- ren Rideau, Madison Erceg, Alex Wilson, Allison Kirk, Craig Knepley, Jesse Aston, Michael Thomas-Visgar, Jesse Perez, Marina Moore, Hayden Christensen, Madison Leonard and Gifford Tompkins. With a great mix of both new and returning members, PIT looks forward to having a promising season.
“This year’s PIT is going to be different from other years because our ensemble is main- ly new faces. It’s both encour- aging and daunting,” Jesse Pe- rez said, in describing the up coming season. New member Leonard echoed this sentiment after describing the energy she felt after their first practice. She described the cast as a “new group of talented people who work well together.” Although PIT is well- known for the multitude of laughs it generates, it is also a unique artistic expression. “When performing, every person is taking their whole life experiences and using ev- erything they have known and done and putting it into one harmonious scene,” Garrett said. This artistic expression can really be seen in the improv musical PIT performs in the spring. Another important factor of PIT is its members ability to come up with inventive ways of getting the audience involved and making them a part of the show. “I love to get the audience involved,” said Hayden Chris- tensen, a graduate student, speaking of how he likes to get the crowd amped, allowing them to have a great time.
For PIT, getting the audience involved has always been a truly interactive experience. “Sometimes the audience really helps us,” Thomas-Vis- gar said in noting the import- ant relationship between the performers and the audience. And ultimately that’s what it comes down to for PIT: Having a great dynamic together onstage so they can really get the audience involved and laughing.
PIT is also known for cultivating strong bonds and a sense of community between its members. “I love working with all of these extremely talented people and collaborating to make something funny happen” Perez said. However, being a part of PIT also comes with its challenges. The members of PIT have to go onstage and create a witty and cohesive storyline to an improv skit with no script, not to mention having to make the audience laugh with dialogue made up on the spot. “The most challenging part of PIT is depending on other people, letting your guard down and trusting the other person,” Garrett said.
Garrett also notes that another challenging aspect of PIT is “getting comfortable, excited, and channeling all your nerves into energy.”
“The most challenging part is getting out of my head and learning to be in the moment,” Wilson said.
Despite all the challeng- es the members of PIT face, being a part of the troupe has helped them grow in both their theater pursuits and as individuals.
“Improv is the foundation
to good acting, communica- tion and being a good person to be around,” Garrett said.
Likewise, new member Rideau hopes to “gain more confidence as a performer and as a person,” by being a part of PIT.
And let’s not forget the laugh factor that has made PIT incredibly popular with Pepperdine audiences.
“I believe fully in each and every incredible person on PIT this year and know we [will] not disappoint the slightest in the laugh depart- ment,” Perez said.
Needless to say, for the members of PIT, the experi- ences they have gained and challenges they have overcome by being a part of PIT have helped them foster growth and gain a strong sense of commu- nity and friendship that is sure to show in the upcoming sea- son.
“Ultimately we become the PIT family,” Garrett said.
Be sure to head to Elkins, Friday, Sept 21. at 7 p.m. for their first show.
The Pepperdine Improv Troupe, known as PIT, has been running at Pepperdine for 13 years and is known for drawing in packed audiences. PIT has enjoyed success as one of Pepperdine’s fastest growing organizations in popularity, changing their venue from the HAWC to Elkins Auditorium last year because of the size of the crowds it attracted. However, there is more to PIT than just sidesplitting laughs. For the members of PIT, improvisation is an artistic expression and being a part of PIT fosters a growth and sense of community that is ever present both on and off stage.
The members of PIT this year include: Savannah Garrett, Isabela Comerford, Lauren Rideau, Madison Erceg, Alex Wilson, Allison Kirk, Craig Knepley, Jesse Aston, Michael Thomas-Visgar, Jesse Perez, Marina Moore, Hayden Christensen, Madison Leonard and Gifford Tompkins. With a great mix of both new and returning members, PIT looks forward to having a promising season.
“This year’s PIT is going to be different from other years because our ensemble is mainly new faces. It’s both encouraging and daunting,” Jesse Perez said, in describing the up coming season.
New member Leonard echoed this sentiment after describing the energy she felt after their first practice. She described the cast as a “new group of talented people who work well together.”
Although PIT is well-known for the multitude of laughs it generates, it is also a unique artistic expression.
“When performing, every person is taking their whole life experiences and using everything they have known and done and putting it into one harmonious scene,” Garrett said.
This artistic expression can really be seen in the improv musical PIT performs in the spring.
Another important factor of PIT is its members ability to come up with inventive ways of getting the audience involved and making them a part of the show.
“I love to get the audience involved,” said Hayden Christensen, a graduate student, speaking of how he likes to get the crowd amped, allowing them to have a great time.
For PIT, getting the audience involved has always been a truly interactive experience.
“Sometimes the audience really helps us,” Thomas-Visgar said in noting the important relationship between the performers and the audience. And ultimately that’s what it comes down to for PIT: Having a great dynamic together onstage so they can really get the audience involved and laughing.
PIT is also known for cultivating strong bonds and a sense of community between its members.
“I love working with all of these extremely talented people and collaborating to make something funny happen” Perez said.
However, being a part of PIT also comes with its challenges. The members of PIT have to go onstage and create a witty and cohesive storyline to an improv skit with no script, not to mention having to make the audience laugh with dialogue made up on the spot.
“The most challenging part of PIT is depending on other people, letting your guard down and trusting the other person,” Garrett said.
Garrett also notes that another challenging aspect of PIT is “getting comfortable, excited, and channeling all your nerves into energy.”
“The most challenging part is getting out of my head and learning to be in the moment,” Wilson said.
Despite all the challenges the members of PIT face, being a part of the troupe has helped them grow in both their theater pursuits and as individuals.
“Improv is the foundation to good acting, communication and being a good person to be around,” Garrett said.
Likewise, new member Rideau hopes to “gain more confidence as a performer and as a person,” by being a part of PIT.
And let’s not forget the laugh factor that has made PIT incredibly popular with Pepperdine audiences.
“I believe fully in each and every incredible person on PIT this year and know we [will] not disappoint the slightest in the laugh department,” Perez said.
Needless to say, for the members of PIT, the experiences they have gained and challenges they have overcome by being a part of PIT have helped them foster growth and gain a strong sense of community and friendship that is sure to show in the upcoming season.
“Ultimately we become the PIT family,” Garrett said.
Be sure to head to Elkins, Friday, Sept 21. at 7 p.m. for their first show.
