Thinking - and performing - on their feet

Everybody wants to get in the act, it seems. And the BAC Stage Kids at the Brewery Arts Center is no exception.

The "act" in this case is stand-up, improvised comedy - thinking on the feet as audiences shower performers with questions or ideas for an act.

So the BAC Stage Kids will present "Improv Kids," at the Brewery Arts Center on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Theatre. All seats are $5. Call 883-1976 for tickets.

The show will highlight two "Whose Line is it Anyway" style improv shows in which audience participation is encouraged. Well, make that demanded.

Chief wit and teacher for the Kids is Gerry Orton, the founder of the Tahoe Improv Players in 1993, the longest-running comedy troupe in Lake Tahoe. Founded as ComedySportz, team improvisation for points and laughs ... a spoof on a sport. ComedySportz became Tahoe Improv Players in 1996.

The group has performed throughout the Lake Tahoe, Reno, Carson City area as well as in Northern California.

Orton started teaching kids in 1996. He has conducted workshops and classes at Carson, Douglas, Galena, North Tahoe, El Dorado and Mountain View high schools in addition to BAC Stage Kids and has also specialized in workshops for teens.

But he teaches more than improvisation theater.

"What kids really learn is teamwork, improved listening and observation skills, commitment, acceptance of ideas, but above all, they strengthen their self-confidence and develop skills that help them cope with extemporaneous situations, a skill that serves them throughout their lives," Orton said.

A tall order, and audiences will be able to see how well he has communicated those ideas to the kids.

"It's rewarding work," he said. "The father of a high school girl said to me after she took my class that his daughter had gained so much confidence and had come out of her shell.

"I hear this quite often from parents and I always reply that for those kids who are shy and a bit withdrawn, what guts to take an improv class. I also add, and how nice that they have parents who are so supportive."

Go to the show

What: BAC Stage Kids stand-up comedy show "Improv Kids"

Where: The Donald W. Reynolds Theatre in the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St.

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cost: $5

Call: 883-1976

Who's in the show

Marasalia Avitia

Vernonic Avitia

Christopher

Beckstrand

Elizabeth Bennett

Melissa Coyle

Chloe DeBacco

Gus DeBacco

Will Dietlin

Lainey Henderson

Philip Jolicoeur

Jeff Lambin

John-Henry

Lambin

Rachael Lambin

Kimberly Matus

David McComb

Nick McNeil

Tracy Morris

Danielle Navarro

Karissa Pullizzotto

Rachel Rhees

Miles Ricketts

Monica Ricketts

Austin Scott