The Observer, April 27, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 26
IMPROVment holds auction and provides laughs, raising money along the way
April 14 saw the first ever IMPROVment auction, where cast members of Case's premier comedy troupe auctioned themselves off to willing buyers in Schmidt Lecture Hall. Although this was IMPROVment's first auction, the group did exceptionally well, bringing in more than $800.
Winning bids were considerably low at first, especially for a roadside dinner date with T.J. Gainley and Ryan Santa. The date entailed the winner buyer picking their favorite highway, getting into a car with the two aforementioned handsome gentlemen, driving until finding a 24-hour diner, and then stopping for dinner there. Perhaps it was the possibility of driving for an atrociously long time that discouraged higher bids, but bidders had no problem setting a high price for a home-cooked meal of the winner's choice, provided by Amanda Bell, and to be devoured at the laundromat down the road from where she resides.
However, drama ensued as Tim Koch went up for sale. Even he found himself hiding underneath a table as vigorous bidding escalated to extreme heights after three audience members pooled their funds together to outbid others. This date promises to be extra electrifying, to say the least. Keeping up with the constant supply of humor was an assortment of raffled goodies, ranging from John Horton's Bad Hair Cut Certificate, which qualifies you for a free haircut from John himself, to a Ninja-Free Card, which gets you off injury-free if ever attacked by ninjas.
Some might find it tragic to see an underfunded group, representing an underfunded department at Case, being forced to auction themselves off to strangers just to improve their current situation. Joe Barone, IMPROVment president and resident pianist expresses his sentiments: "We would love for the university to construct a true performing arts center on campus, as it is badly needed. Many performing arts groups – music ensembles, dance groups, and theatre groups alike-could benefit from its construction. We hope to see the construction of such a facility in the near future."
The money that IMPROVment raised from this fundraiser is going to a number of functions, ranging from improving the Eldred Black Box to investing in new props for shows. This auction proved to be a viable source of funding, and the group says that similar future charity events will be carried out in the same fashion.
In addition to their recent auction, the members of IMPROVment participated in ImprovFest 2007, hosted by The Eighth Floor Improv from Ohio State University and held on the OSU campus Saturday, April 21. There were five teams from Ohio and Case's own IMPROVment received first place overall. IMPROVment also won another award for "Camaraderie through Competition," meaning they were the friendliest and most encouraging improv comedy group present. "It was a great time and we're definitely going back next year to defend our title," says sophomore Chris Kervick.
The End of the Year Improv Spectacular will take place on May 1 in Strosacker Auditorium at 9 p.m. As always, the show is free. IMPROVment fans can direct themselves to the group's website at improv.case.edu for all the latest updates and info.
