Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Jayme Foremaster, 15, right, along with Bethany Mindrum, 14, Shelby Gutierrez, 13, and Isabella Favoro, 11, practice their improv skills during a rehearsal Monday for the Wild Horse Children's Theater at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada.
Those Improv Kids are back again, raring to show off their fresh skills in the art of public appearance with improvisation.
They have been working with Gerry Orton and Dave Fabrizio for a couple of weeks, sharpening those skills of performance on the run. A drop-in to rehearsals - if you can call improv rehearsals - is like watching whirlwinds at play.
The kids are given an assignment by Orton - "Tell us where you are without words, just action" - and they leap joyfully into the challenge. Their enthusiasm is infectious; they clearly are having fun and enjoying the challenge. They are divided into teams and they huddle over their choice of site.
One team of five or six opts for a bowling alley. One by one they lift, aim and roll imaginary bowling balls down an imaginary alley. They whoop and holler with each roll of the ball, mimicking strikes and spares.
Another team picks a petting zoo. One girl crouches like a cat and hisses at each team member as he or she comes up to pet. All six teams act out their settings, and the rest of the group jumps to identify the site.
Orton, a veteran of improv, keeps things moving; after all, their show is Saturday at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St., at a 7 p.m., and they will invite challenges from the audience. It's a production of the Wildhorse Children's Theater and the museum. Tickets are $5 at the door.
This is billed as a "fun night of improvisation games, music and workouts." While the audience is encouraged to participate, it's the kids' show. Prepare for a lot of action, dazzling displays of improv and a chance to see kids truly enjoying something special.
Improv Kids
Grace Bayliss, age 9
Aiden Bhilharz, age 13
Bethany Mindrum, age 14
Dylan Shirey, age
Melissa Coyle, age 16
Jayme Foremaster, age 15
Shelby Gutierrez, age 13
Kyra Conway, age 11
Challen Wright, age 10
Shannon Flaherty, age 12
Kasia McKay, age 14
Mysha VanStraten, age 14
Kaci Fasteband, age 14
Dave McComb, age 16
Henry Wilson, age 10
Victor Favoro, age 13
Isabella Favoro, age 11
David Sando, age 10
Alexis Brannocke, age 14
Christian Greenmas, age 10
• Contact Sam Bauman at 881-1236 or Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com.