Theatre Without the Script: an Audience Perspective

Marley Sarro talks with us about her experience with Improv comedy

Theatre is full of rehearsed lines, carefully planned scenes, and polished performances—but what happens when you throw all of that out and make it up as you go?

At Cal Poly, the improv group Smile and Nod thrives on unpredictability, turning audience suggestions into fast-paced, off-the-cuff comedy. 

To get a sense of what makes improv special from an audience perspective, I spoke with Marley Sarro, a freshman at Cal Poly who has attended multiple Smile and Nod performances. 

Q & A

Q: Share your background with theatre, if any?

A: I did theatre from fifth grade until senior year of high school. I did a little bit of improv as well in middle school. 

Q: What initially drew you to Smile and Nod? Was it your first time watching improv?

A: I used to go to all the improv shows that my high school team held and I was like oh hey it's pretty cool that our college has one as well so I decided to check it out and it was hilarious it was a great show and honestly it probably was one of my favorite times watching improv because their team chemistry is just so amazing. 

Q: How does watching improv feel different from watching a scripted theatre production?

A: Improv I would say is very raw. I mean theatre can have very raw aspects as well but because everything is so on the spot and immediately you are just having to brainstorm and you're supposed to bounce off each other's ideas as well as the audiences. It feels like there's a very big connection within the team and also within the audience that is a very different interaction than when you are just watching a theatre production and it just feels like the audience and the performers are very separate. Instead, improv is just like an entire community coming together. 

The Audience Experience

Q: What was the energy like in the room? How did the audience interact with the performers?

A: The energy was great. Honestly everyone was laughing, they were screaming out their ideas when the performers were asking for specific categories for the show. It was just like great energy. Everyone was super, just light hearted laughing funny like it was great honestly. 

Q: Can you describe a moment from the show that stood out to you? What made it so memorable?

A: A moment from the show that stood out to me was actually…I think they brought an inside joke into it which I think was really funny because of the way that the members reacted at one of the shows. It was the musical show and I don't think one of the people who was on the improv team can sing or likes singing and so they purposely were like “oh you're going to sing a song about this” and he seemed so upset but I thought it was so funny and that you actually got to see the team's chemistry and how they interact with each other outside of when they are performers.

Q: Did you feel like the audience played a role in shaping the performance? If so, how?

A: I definitely did. I think improv is really about the energy that the audience is giving you when the audience is still and they are mute and they are not giving suggestions or they are not interacting with you properly it makes it really hard to have a high energy good upbeat show. It really just truly feeds off the energy in the room and so I would say the audience being upbeat and cheery and happy really made the show as funny and as joyful as it was. 

The Impact & Reflection

Q: Did watching Smile and Nod change your perception of theatre in any way?

A: I would say it definitely made me appreciate performance a lot more especially such “on the spot” performance because I know it can be hard for certain people to improv like as somebody who has done theatre I know sometimes when you forget a line or someone forgets their que or messes it up it's hard for your brain to quickly be like “ahh what do I do what do I say how can I cover this up” and the fact that the entire show is that really did make me appreciate people who are so quick witted and performers that really can bounce off of each other's energy like that. 

Q: Do you think there’s something special about the way improv is performed at cal poly? 

A: I really think the team's chemistry makes it so special. You can tell just from sitting in the audience and looking at them that they all get along in real life. I think that that's something that's so beautiful because when you are in a team and in a community I think it's so important that everybody likes each other equally and they all get along and they all kind of share that bond.

Q: What do you think is the biggest takeaway for audiences watching improv?

A: The biggest takeaway honestly I think should be about community and energy I feel like those are like the two main pillars of improv and that as an audience member you feel like you have no say in the show and you have no control over what's happening and it's almost nice to have that creative control and be a part of the community. So I  feel like you should just go out there and participate in an improv show. It's fun, you'll enjoy it like I swear guys get off your butts and go watch and improve the show.