The Comedic Improvisational Alliance, or CIA for short, has proven not only to be a hilarious group of performers, but a closely-knit family of class clowns.
On Friday, the CIA put on a game show of sorts, otherwise known as short form improvisation in the Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre inside Thompson Hall. Split into teams of four, the teams played multiple games to win the favor of the crowd.
To prove to the audience that every part of the show was improvised on the spot, aside from the general rules of the games, the audience was allowed to pick the majority of the subject matter the comedians had to center their jokes around.
Improvisation comedy is a form of entertainment that allows the audience to feel like they are a part of what’s happening. The comedy feels unique because the jokes aren’t premeditated.
“It’s like pretend time, but you don’t have to be a kid,” said Jonathan Elmore, junior in English-creative writing.
Alumni Derek Shields said the CIA is extremely close, and the members have a sense of family between them.
“As soon as I perform an improv scene with someone, I feel like I’m their friend,” Shields said.
Kenny Yi, a junior in communications, said the group typically gets in a circle and “beep” at each other before saying a secret phrase only known to past and present members.
Everyone participating pats each other on the back and says “I got your back” to every single performer before they perform a show.
The group practices twice a week on “backing each other up with ideas and spontaneity” and “being brave enough to do something when you have no idea what you’re doing,” according to Steven May, a freshman in engineering.
Daniel Wilson, a junior in communications, said the most challenging part of improvisation is being spontaneous and flexible.
“Improv, for me, was my relief when I had a busy and stressful life. I got to be around some amazing friends that felt like family,” said Wilson.
Since the group’s start in 2006, there have been several leadership changes and even times when past leaders, who graduated, returned and started the group again so that it would not die out.
These special members include Alex Kovach and James Austin. Austin, who never attended NC State, is part of ComedyWorx, a comedy club in Raleigh that occasionally works with the CIA.
Club captains Elmore and Thomas Rogers, a junior in psychology, both said they share an undeniable love for the club.
“I feel like a lot of people who come here are awkward, so I came to challenge myself to be less shy and force myself to do something that I want to do,” Thomas said. “I get to create something from nothing, and so I feel like it’s a chance for the awkward and funny people to be center stage for a chance.”
Even though the group does not charge for their shows, they do accept donations at events.
The group’s next performance will be at the annual NC State Campout.
