Black Sheep Inc. has been a predominantly male improvisation group, but with a new female majority premiering tonight, the sheep will prove that rams aren't the only ones who can sheaer some laughs.
Black Sheep has also added a new performance space, Union Arts, 15 W. Union St., and a new style of comedy, said Chris Griswold, graduate student and director of Black Sheep.
(The group) was started in 1999 as part of the Lost Flamingo Company and did short-form improvisation
but we are moving towards long-form improv now Griswold said.
Short-form improvisation is the type of games you would see on Whose Line Is It Anyway where the performers play with a set of rules. In long-form improvisation the group is not confined by such rules.
Emilee Copus, a freshman studying Media Arts and Studies joined because she liked the rush from improvisation.
It's a really organic feeling because you go up there and do something totally out of the blue and off the top of your head
knowing that you can't be in your partners mind
but creating a scene anyway
she said.
Bryan Cain, a senior studying Media Arts and Studies, was drawn to improvisation because it allowed him to use his creativity and imagination.
In improv
you can assume the role of any character
you can do anything you want and I think it's a good way to express yourself
Cain said.
The female cast members will also have a chance to show their point of view, something that is rare in a normally male-dominated type of comedy.
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Griswold said.
The new cast will debut tonight at Union Arts with their new form of comedy.
With long form you get to lay your imagination bare in front of an audience
and its great because it is really the act of creating
