The University of Rhode Island’s improvisational comedy troupe, Rhody Ridiculousness, has continued to create laughter for members and inquirers throughout this pandemic.
Rhody Ridiculousness works on improving members’ skills through rehearsals, games and team bonding to create a warm and friendly environment that facilitates a fun and welcoming community.
Rhody Ridiculousness currently has nine members, only one of whom participates in meetings virtually. While COVID-19 restrictions are letting only 10 people gather in one room at a time, the club is still currently accepting new members and is always looking to grow. If the club does reach in-person membership past the guidelines Rhode Island has in place at a certain time, members stated that they would work to find new ways to collaborate and rehearse in order to include everyone.
Secretary of Rhody Ridiculousness Katia Mendez stated that they will continue to hold rolling auditions for anyone who is interested and reaches out to the club via Instagram or email to schedule a time to try out with the club’s members. Once a prospective member reaches out, they come to a rehearsal, and members will play games with the troupe in order to see if one would be a good fit.
“You come and you just go through a rehearsal with us and play all the games we’re playing and we’ll just evaluate you and see how you did,” Mendez said. “If you responded well to others, kept a good attitude in regards to the scene and were mindful about the jokes, then you will make a good impression.”
Mendez described the group as being a great space for her to decompress as a student, especially during the pandemic.
“For me it is like family because it’s somewhere I can go in the week, it’s really refreshing, and it’s really fun quick improv comedy,” said Mendez.
Mendez stated that members of the club are taking precautionary methods during their in-person meetings, wearing masks and staying socially distanced. In past years, Mendez recalled that many scenes involved having more physical contact, such as people jumping on one another’s backs and being more touchy depending on the scene and where it goes. However, the club has put a pause on physical contact during bits in order to combat the virus.
According to Mendez, live performances have stopped as well. However, Rhody Ridiculousness members plan on using new methods to reach audiences in the upcoming months.
“I’ve been pushing for some livestream through social media ideas, but I think we will get around to that platform next semester,” Mendez said.
Vice President of Rhody Ridiculousness Liam Defelice stated that the troupe has been successful in their efforts to continue holding club meetings and hope to make a bigger impact on the student body in the upcoming semester.
“We’re running everything as safely as we can and still having a lot of laughs and a great time,” Defelice said. “It’s something that the troupe strives to do and you know we want to be able to help share that with the rest of you.”