Semester Laughs Start Early

By Eva Armendariz

The parents of the hapless 2-year-old didn''t imagine she would become a prop in a Laugh Out Loud performance, but the toddler''s wanderings onstage took an unexpected turn when she became an impromptu cast member.

But impromptu is the name of the game when talking about Laugh Out Loud, BYU''s hilarious improv comedy group that kicks off the semester with the first performance Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 at 8 p.m. in 205 of the JRCB.

For those students hunting for a way to spend their first Friday night in Provo, the Laugh Out Loud cast members promise a clean, interactive and thunderously funny improvisational show aimed at obnoxious audience participation using techniques similar to those of the show 'Whose Line is it Anyway?'

Over the past year, Laugh Out Loud has gotten quite popular. Every performance sold out this summer, said LOL President Allan Mount, a 24-year old economics major from Santa Barbara, Calif.

'Doors open at 7:30 p.m. I recommend coming at 7 or 7:15,' Mount said. 'I would only expect it to get crazier now because there are more people around.'

Laugh Out Loud is scheduled to perform on Friday Sept. 29, 2006 as well. Aiming for Friday and Saturday night performances, LOL''s goal is to perform at least three times a month.

Tickets are $2 in advance at the Wilkinson Information Desk and $3 at the door. To avoid disappointment at the door, Mount advises everyone to purchase tickets early.

Brendan Rowlands, a former president of LOL and a psychology graduate, said he sticks around to perform with LOL because he loves it so much.

'It''s one of the unique experiences at BYU,' he said. 'It''s a quality performance for cheap. It''s something different.'

While it is a performance group, Laugh Out Loud is also a club. Meeting every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. LOL hosts a 'Fun Shop,' an eight-week teaching process designed to better participants'' improv skills. At the end of the informal training, members will be chosen for the performance group. LOL is always on the lookout for new club members and performance players.

While auditioning and performing may sound intimidating, Natalie Jungkunz, a 19-year old psychology major from Cincinnati, Ohio and avid cast member, said that everyone is welcome.

'It''s life,' Jungkunz said. 'You just capture it at funny moments. It''s about saying the right things at the right time. Everyone is a good candidate. We believe everyone can be funny.'

If performance isn''t one''s forte, club members also serve as technicians for the shows and learn the art of improvisation.