Smile and Nod to 'Rock' out

Improv students plan to don their best rock star or rapper threads this Saturday night at 8 p.m. in the Cal Poly Blackbox Theater.

This quarter’s first themed improv show is “Rock vs. Rap,” where the team not only dresses up, but the audience is encouraged to get stylish, too. A member since 2003, co-manager Stephanie “Tanner” Agron encourages students to attend.

“Any of our shows are a fun and inexpensive way to do something on a Saturday night,” the theater arts major said. “There’s high quality, entertaining comedy. It does not take the whole night, only a few hours of fun. The goal is for the audience to have a good time.”

The improvisational troupe Smile and Nod was established in 1998 by Cal Poly improv enthusiasts. What started as one show per quarter sparked two shows every weekend. The shows are performed and organized by students every Saturday night, and the themed shows are organized only once every quarter.

English student Rachel Burruel, a member of Smile and Nod since 2006, said that improvisational comedy takes a lot of teamwork, honesty and trust.

“An honest response is the funniest thing,” she said. “You have to really trust each other.”

Although they are on stage, Agron stressed that improvisation is not scripted or easy.

“We have rehearsals and practices just like a sports team,” she said. “There are no plays, or scripts. So we’re working toward learning how to listen to one another. Improv is most definitely based in teamwork.”

Smile and Nod starts the first show at 8 p.m., and the second begins at 10 p.m. The shows are separated by short form and long form improvisation, sometimes including standup comedy. Short form improv contains a series of games with specific objectives in the “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” style. Long form shows are a little more complicated.

“Long form is more complex,” Agron said. “It incorporates true storytelling from cast members, and scenes (inspired by audience members). They intertwine and it comes together in an interesting, captivating, smart, fast-paced type of improv.”

Tickets are $5, and audience members dressed as a rock star or rapper get $1 off. Ticket reservations can also be found on the group’s Web site Smileandnod.org.