Each time before Colleen Maguire steps on stage with her improv team, itB次元官网网址檚 one of the happiest moments of her life.

B次元官网网址淲e say to each other, B次元官网网址榃eB次元官网网址檙e going to have funB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址業 love you,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� the Grade 12 Victoria High School student gushes. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 in the spirit of love and competition and I try to impart that to the other students as much as possible.B次元官网网址�

It should come as no surprise that MaguireB次元官网网址檚 enthusiasm for improv earned her a Spirit of the Games award at the Vancouver Island regional championships, held Feb. 4 and 5 at Vic High. She was one of nine students from Vic High Improv who became the first Victoria students to place No. 1 in the region and qualify for the Canadian Improv Games since the Island joined the competition 10 years ago.

B次元官网网址淚t was such a surreal moment,B次元官网网址� Maguire said. B次元官网网址淚 bawled my eyes out and IB次元官网网址檓 not a screamer, but I definitely squealed. I didnB次元官网网址檛 even think about the audience or the judges or the scores at that point. We were hugging and there were trophies and it was overwhelming.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think IB次元官网网址檝e cried that much publicly in a long time,B次元官网网址� added teammate Kathryn Taddei, also in Grade 12. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 probably one of the only times IB次元官网网址檝e cried out of sheer joy. B次元官网网址� The whole team was (exuding) a mixture of disbelief and joy, but now we just need to make it happen.B次元官网网址�

To make it happen B次元官网网址� a.k.a get to Ottawa for the finals April 3 through 7 B次元官网网址� the group needs to fundraise $12,000 to cover the cost of their travel and accommodations. The team, along with coach and veteran improvisor Alan Penty, are hosting an evening of entertainment on March 8 to follow through with what has so far been a monumental experience for all those involved.

B次元官网网址淚f I were a religious man, IB次元官网网址檇 say itB次元官网网址檚 a miracle (we won regionals),B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e never even come close to that before.B次元官网网址�

Penty, a regular on Sin City improv, was impressed by the teamB次元官网网址檚 ability to thrive under the pressure and come out strong in every game.

Part of their winning performance included a character event, a game where teams are asked to develop characters based on inanimate objects suggested by the audience. Building off the suggestion of a barbecue, the students created a big, strong, fiery character B次元官网网址� a piece that had their veteran improvisor of a coach impressed.

B次元官网网址淚 wish I was as clever, but IB次元官网网址檓 not,B次元官网网址� said Penty. B次元官网网址淭heir level of commitment is amazing. I would send them out on stage with a senior improviser.B次元官网网址�

While Penty practises with his students year-round, he says anyone can pick up the first rule of improv instantly.

B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 say B次元官网网址榥o,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Penty said. B次元官网网址淪ay B次元官网网址榶es, and B次元官网网址�B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 advice that can be applied to more than just the stage.

B次元官网网址淚mprov helps me be more comfortable with the way that I am because once youB次元官网网址檝e been as ridiculous as you are in improv, youB次元官网网址檙e less self-conscious during the regular day,B次元官网网址� Taddei said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 way less aware of how crazy IB次元官网网址檓 being.B次元官网网址�

Support the team

Join Vic High Improv in the schoolB次元官网网址檚 theatre (1260 Grant St.) on March 8 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for an evening of student performances, as well as entertainment by Dave Morris and Aleisha Kalina. The event includes a silent auction. Admission is by donation.