The University of Minnesota’s Long-Form Improv (MLFI) group had its final show of the fall semester on Friday evening. 

For its fourth and final performance of the semester, the group put on performances of comedic stories improvised by the performers as they went. These performances included characters and settings inspired by audience prompts.

Three different groups performed unscripted acts. Each team began their show by prompting the audience to provide words to start the show.

The audience provided words like soup junkyard, crystal ball store and pepper spray. Using these vague prompts, members of each group worked together to construct comedic stories with interwoven plot lines and characters, making it up as they went.

Performances were around 20 to 30 minutes in length.

MLFI member and fourth-year student Evan Schwarz said his favorite part of being in the group is the collaborative and low-pressure atmosphere. 

“MLFI is fun because it’s a collaborative space,” Schwarz said. “The stakes are lower because it’s all on the spot.”

Schwarz is also a president of the University’s stand-up Comedy Club. Schwarz said with improv, compared to stand-up comedy, he is more comfortable on stage.

“With improv, it’s one and done, if I say something, everyone knows that was in the moment,” Schwarz said. “But if you say something dumb on (stand-up) stage, you’re the only one there and everyone knows.”

Treasurer and fourth-year student Katie Papador said collaboration is an integral aspect of the group.

“You have to build your relationship with the team because it’s all improv, and you need a hive mind mentality when it comes to making jokes,” Papador said. 

The tight-knit community of the group is a large positive for her, Papador said.

“The people on my team have seen me at my worst and at my best, and really is something that I love,” Papador said. “It’s a very creative and collaborative environment, and being the person that I am, I really like being in that kind of environment.”

Papador said the group is a more welcoming space for her as a woman compared to comedy in a stand-up setting. 

“It’s definitely a male-dominated industry, though I will say that it is becoming way more inclusive,” Papador said. “(In stand up) there’s a lot of times when people will overlook you or say something that isn’t respectful. Whereas you see that happening (in improv) where they do respect you.”

Allison Parker, a fourth-year student and club member, said the club did not host auditions and lost members during COVID, though the club seems to have recovered. 

Parker said one of her favorite parts of MLFI was developing her communication skills.

“You practice your communication skills,” Parker said. “I feel like I’m way better at communicating and having a conversation with people.”

MLFI is set to perform again in February 2025.