For the past several months, Perry’s Improv Team has rehearsed feverishly in preparation for its Feb. 5, 2026 improv show. The team turns audience prompts into comedic skits and spontaneous performances.

When Thomas Tutsie was hired and took over as the club’s sponsor five years ago, the program was in crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During his first year, the team hosted virtual shows to stay connected with audiences. While those performances were entertaining, the club began to thrive once students could return to in-person rehearsals and shows.

Tutsie continues to encourage students to join, emphasizing that Improv builds skills that extend beyond the stage. “If you take the idea of Improv and collaborating as a team, it could connect to really any field. You go in for a job interview, and you don’t necessarily know what questions are going to be thrown at you,” Tutsie said. Participation helps students strengthen communication and adaptability as they prepare for life after high school.

Beyond skill building, Tutsie said the most rewarding part is watching students connect and make each other laugh. “It’s really busy this day and age with what’s going on in the classroom, assignments, tests, things like that and I think it’s a great way to end the day having a rehearsal, everyone clearing their minds, having a good time and just making comedy,” Tutsie said. The team has created a space where students can unwind, laugh and grow together.

Although Improv offers a fun way to end the school day, it also challenges students to step outside their comfort zones. Performers must think quickly and embrace mistakes. “It’s not like a normal theater class where you memorize lines. It’s very relaxed. Everybody is really relaxed,” junior Nikolas Bauerle said.

For many, the club provides a sense of belonging. “My favorite part of Improv is the community you make. I love being at Improv because each time we practice, I just get to laugh,” sophomore Ella Coller said.

Coller, who joined the team as a freshman, continues to focus on improving her performance skills. “I think the most challenging part of improv is making characters,” Coller said. Crafting believable characters that fit each prompt requires creativity and a strong understanding of the game at hand.

In preparation for the show, the team practices twice a week, often running through the full program and refining individual games. Teammates intentionally offer challenging suggestions to push one another creatively. With every new prompt, performers add a fresh twist to games that are never played the same way twice. Each run through is entirely original.

As seniors prepare to graduate, this year’s performance marks the end of an era for some longtime members. “I saw an advertisement for the team my freshman year and I’ve never looked back,” senior Olsen Burr said. For many students, the club has become a second home. “No one is there to be in the spotlight. It’s just a great community where everyone supports each other,” Burr said.

With its mix of creativity, collaboration and community, Perry’s Improv Team continues to leave a lasting impact.