Let the games begin.
Fourth Wall Improv, Tinley Park’s resident improv troupe, will take to the stage for its aptly named “It’s All Fun and Games Until …” show at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Tinley Park Performing Arts Center.
“For the first show of our 2022 season, we are starting off with an improv game night along with some other fun and original pieces to welcome our audience back after our winter break,” said Director Josh Blair of Chicago. “It will start with the feeling of a traditional improv show, but as those who attend will find out, things are not always as they seem.”
Producer Sarah Denton of Merrillville loves the fact that this show kick offs with short-form improv games.
“It gives us more variety within the show and more opportunities for audience participation,” Denton said. “We also have a few surprises in store that should be fun, but you have to come to the show to find out more.”
Along with Denton, game cast members include Garrett Gray of Tinley Park, Nikki Ramel of Oak Forest, Logan Rutherford of Chicago, Sarah Schudt of Tinley Park, and Fred Vasquez of Park Forest.
“Some of the games scheduled for this show include ‘Entrances and Exits,’ a game that can be a real challenge for an actor’s listening ability, and ‘Timeline,’ a game that undoes the concept of linear storytelling,” Blair said. “Along with a few of our audience and cast’s past favorites as well as games original to our troupe.”
While it doesn’t seem like improv takes much prep, plenty of planning goes into one of Fourth Wall’s seasons.
“We develop multiple events at a time, and for our first one we wanted to start with a mix of classics along with the new to make sure our actors are giving the best possible performances all year long,” Blair said. “With an exciting season planned for this year, we always aim to make each show unique from the last.”
The goal is to stay inventive.
“Originality is often a challenge, especially from a directorial standpoint, but when you are an improviser, originality is our specialty,” Blair said. “So the same way our actors are creating in the moment, I sometimes have to use that approach in creating events that will excite and intrigue a potential audience.”
That means always trying new things.
“I think the challenge is to consistently keep the show fresh,” Denton said.
“I want our audience to know that they will never get the same show twice with us — we are always finding innovative ways to entertain.”
Speaking of the audience, the “It’s All Fun and Games Until …” show is good, clean humor, appropriate for the whole family.
“I always hope the audience is able to distract themselves from the stresses of life for a few hours and have some laughs with us,” Denton said. “The best feeling in the world is being on stage and hearing the laughter of our audience.”
After “It’s All Fun and Games Until …”, Fourth Wall’s next performance will be “April Fools Rush In” slated for 7 p.m. April 16.
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Fourth Wall Improv’s ‘It’s All Fun and Games Until …’
When: 7 p.m. March 12
Where: Tinley Park Performing Arts Center, 16801 80th Ave.
Tickets: $9
Information: tinleyparkdistrict.org/calendar-of-events
Jen Banowetz is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.