SH*Improv is an after school group for students to express themselves through improv, which is on the spot and unscripted acting. Improv is a new form of art originated from Viola Spolin. She developed the games used in improv, for actors to loosen up and practice creating characters, relationships, and a story.

Nothing but good things have been said about the improv group, as well as the students in it. “You come here, show who you are, and you’re immediately accepted,” says Sophomore Tori Stefanik, “We are a little family.” Improv helps students get over the fear of being themselves in front of an audience, as well as having control and channeling their humor and wit into a scene. Junior Josie Carpenter says, “We can do things here that we can’t other places.”

Fine/Applied Arts teacher, Maureen McNally is the teacher of the improv class that is offered at the high school, as well as the SH*Improv group. McNally was trained at Improv Boston where she performed for 10 years. She now performs at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, the Arts Block in Greenfield, as well as the Shea Theater in Turners Falls.

McNally has taught the improv class at the high school for two years, and has run the SH*Improv group for nine. The average amount of students in the group has been 10 over the years, yet some students will drop in for a practice or performance here and there according to McNally.

The after school SH*Improv club has an alliance with Northampton High School, Hampshire Regional High School, and East Hampton High School. With this alliance, the groups all get together a couple times a year to perform or do a workshop. During the workshops students go with another school’s teacher to learn new skills, and to have the opportunity to work with different guidance.

Ippolito can be reached at [email protected]