March 28, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Improv Celebrated at Anniversary Show

Saturday May 26, Westwood’s Improv Space was host to Rocket Science Improv’s one-year anniversary. The bimonthly event features local and visiting improvisational teams that act out a variety of sketches based on suggestions from the audience. On stage, the tone ranges from comedic to somber.

Photo: Michael Ray. Rocket Science Improv celebrates their one year anniversary with Shark Week, Wow! and Room 604.

Headlining the anniversary show was Room 604. “We’re sort of the anchor team for Rocket Science,” said Room 604’s Jerry Witt. Despite missing one of their players, Witt explained, “we’re super excited about the show, it is our one-year anniversary, we’ve been doing this show on the second and fourth Saturday of every month for the last year.” The donation-based bimonthly brings teams from across the Westside to participate.

When the trouped stepped on to the stage, the audience suggested “recreation-outdoor-park” as the theme. Room 604 then presented a series of characters; a woman on roller skates, a drifter reading the paper, weight training partners, competitive power walkers, as well as benchwarmers in the dugout. The improvisational actors seamlessly transitioned between characters and scenes.

Miranda Shade and Mark D. Allen, in keeping with the suggested theme, performed as a couple with a troubled past: “You’re getting a lot better, I’ve been watching you,” stated Allen’s character. “You know I had to learn react and have quick reactions when things came towards me like balls or fists,” responded Shade’s character. The departure from comedy exhibited the performers’ breadth of acting skills. Shade stated that she’s been performing “for about 10 years” and got involved with Room 604 through Jerry Witt, “he’s very playful and I enjoy being with him on stage.”

“I think the challenge is the best thing, the challenge is that moment right before you get the suggestion of what the show is going to be and you don’t know what the show is going to be; and that is my favorite moment because it is the peak moment of adrenaline –with zero idea, the most fear – and [then] you get the suggestion and something happens,” said Allen. During his scene with Shade, Allen’s character was issued a restraining order due to domestic abuse.

While Room 604 was the headliner of the evening, teams Shark Week and Wow! also had their time on stage, bringing the audience to bursts of laughter through scenes involving birthday cake as well as jewelry. Shark Week, a quartet consisting of Kevin Shroyer, Ryan Tucker, Josh Birnbaum and Deidre Lee, was a new addition to Rocket Science Improv, although Lee explained that she had been on a team with Witt before. “I’ve always played this way, I’ve always been a playful person, doing different characters, trying different scenes and then I found out that improv geeks did the same thing,” Lees said; she was part of both the Shark Week and Wow! teams. “I found my peeps,” she concluded.

For those interested in improvisational acting, Josh Birdbom suggested making an indie team and be sure to “play with people you like.”

For more information: http://rocketimprov.com

in News
Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

World Famous Director Caught in Traffic During Raid on Sean Combs Estate

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Exclusive Neighborhood Faces Disturbing Scene and Street Blockage World-renowned director Ridley Scott found himself caught in the midst of traffic...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...

Infamous Beverly Hills Mansion Where Menéndez Brothers Committed Murders Sells for $17 Million

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Notorious Property Closes Deal Exactly 28 Years After Conviction A mansion in Beverly Hills, California, notorious for being the site...

Former Beverly Hills Therapist Indicted for Alleged Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Suspect Faces Federal Charges Following Investigation into Online Activity A former licensed marriage and family therapist based in Beverly Hills...