Smart. Clean. Comedy…. Meet 88improv. They're a unscripted family-friendly entertainment, and funny. Nate Schoenfeld, Steve Hydeen, Sarah Kennedy and Tim Schoenfeld (left to right) make up the Omaha-based ensemble; Steve and Nate will perform in Orange City on August 4, in the Onstage Orange City series.
ORANGE CITY – The Omaha-based comedy ensemble, 88improv, will perform in WIndmill Park in Orange CIty Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. It’s the next in free entertainment on Thursday nights – Onstage Orange City.
The 88improv four describe their work as “hilarious unscripted improv comedy.” All former Northwestern College theatre students, Steve Hydeen, Nate Schoenfeld, Sarah Kennedy and Tim Schoenfeld began 88improv with a performance at the Stage Right coffee shop in Omaha. Now they do Tuesday evening shows at the Pizza Shoppe Collective in Omaha.
They’re named after interstate 88, which runs through Chicago.
And they’ve done shows for everyone from Qdoba Mexican Grill to First National Bank to Lockheed Martin… plus Earth Day Omaha, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and a show with Comedy Xperiment at Stoner Theatre at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Hydeen is an Orange City boy, and will perform August 4 along with Nate Schoenfeld. They’ll step in front of the audience with no lines memorized and no jokes pre-planned. They’ll get a little help from the audience and go!
In fact, said Hydeen, trying to replicate a successful routine is bound to end up floundering. “The spontaneity of the moment, the drive, are completely gone.”
One of the 88improv routines is “paper chase.” Quotes are gathered from the audience and written on slips of paper, but performers don’t read the quotes until inserting them into the scene. Then the actors must justify the lines into the story.
What’s crucial is a level of trust, love and respect between the actors, said Hydeen. Everyone works hard to get the job done, he said. Everyone is fully attentive, and listening to his partners… present in the moment.
And, of course, they enjoy themselves.
Sponsors of the evening are Orange City Area Health System and CIVCO Medical Solutions.
The event is free. Concessions will be available. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council at OCArts@orange cityiowa.com or 712.707.4885. Or check www.88improv.com.
