Spotlight: Players in Harmony and Improv
As I’ve mentioned in some of my past posts, I’m more involved in the committees of Florida Tech’s College Players this year. And right now, I want to share my experience with Players in Harmony (PIH) and the awesomeness that was Florida Tech’s very first Improv show.
For those of you that don’t know, Players in Harmony is an A cappella group made up of the coolest and most wonderfully talented people on campus (if I do say so myself). Twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., we meet in the Evans Student Center piano room to practice and work on new songs. As a group, we decide what we songs we want to learn and perform. We also learn the basics, such as the National Anthem and the Florida Tech Alma Mater which we perform at special events like graduation and sports games.
Since Homecoming is right around the corner, PIH decided to showcase our talent and perform in the Homecoming Talent Show. We have decided to do two separate songs: “Prayer of The Children”, by Kurt Bestor and “Somebody to Love”, by Queen. The first song is really slow and melodic and I feel that it really shows off our vocal talent and makes best use of all the different singers. The second song is really fun and upbeat and gives a few of our members the chance to do solos. I’m really looking forward to performing both of the songs once the talent show comes around. For a sneak peek, check out this video of one of our rehearsals!
Another wonderful committee that is part of College Players is Drop of A Hat Improv committee. This committee meets on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and on Saturdays at 2 p.m. If you have ever seen the show “Who’s Line Is It Anyway,” then you know exactly what improv committee is all about. There are silly games set up where one has to describe a scenario picked by other but only through speaking gibberish and body language. Another game is the sound effect game where two people off-stage do your sound effects as you act through scenario and you have to react with the sound effects being made. Improv committee is all about witty, quick-thinking, acting fun. It really sharpens your skills as an actor or even as a comedian, since it teaches you to think on your feet.
Last week the Improv troupe made history by having its very first improv show in the history of both College Players and Florida Tech. This was an hour and a half long show of random acting madness that included pterodactyl and light saber noises. It really was fantastic and the improve committee put a lot of hard work into it. The Freshmen were able to get University Experience credit for attending the show.
If you want to become a part of this wonderful and talented group, be sure to attend the College Players meetings, which are held in the Gleason auditorium on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Even if improv or PIH are not your thing, there might be another committee or group in College Players that will make you feel at home.