Yah-hah! Second Page!

By Eric Lear
Sports Editor

Improv show grows in popularity

Second Page, a student-run improv comedy group, has grown in popularity in recent years.

There was a bit of concern last spring when, due to a scheduling conflict, the group had to move their performances to the Common Room, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.
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“We were concerned that it [the location change] would turn off some people from coming to the show,” said Second Page President Katie Schares. “We hoped people thought we were funny enough to climb up three flights of stairs.”

It turned out not to be a problem, and the three shows set an attendance record. In fact, seating began to be a problem. “We loaded that place [the Common Room] with chairs, and people were standing,” Schares said.

A larger buzz than normal seemed to grow for the next set of performances. “More people began showing up to Wednesday night meetings,” said Schares, who also noted that all are welcome and encouraged to attend. The group meets every Wednesday at 10 p.m. in the Common Room to work on improv games and have a good time.

This fall Second Page was back in the Figliulio Recital Hall, which the group used as their show title, “Back to the Fig.” Schares spoke of the great turnout for those three shows as well. “Those were some of the best shows I have been a part of,” Schares said.

Second Page members are considering taking Second Page in a different direction before this school year is over. “We are entertaining the idea of working with some other on-campus groups ... SMU will have to wait and see,” Schares said.

“Basically we have been trying to one-up ourselves each show,” Schares said. “We have some great ideas for the upcoming spring show.” The Second Page cast for this spring said they are anxiously awaiting the performances to see if their popularity continues to grow.

“Regardless of attendance, we are going to put on a quality comedy show,” Schares said, “but we know we will have a great turnout.”

Schares encourages that audience members come to more than one show because “you never know what you [will] get with improv comedy.”

The spring shows are scheduled for Friday, March 28, at 7 and 10 p.m. and Saturday, March 29, at 10 p.m.