After meeting in the Black Box every Monday and Thursday since September, the Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe showcased their craft in their first improvisational show of the year on January 10. The show RuProv’s Laugh Race signified a new era for the troupe, as it was the first performance to display the talents of new improvisers and co-captains alike.

The Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe, along with the One Acts, Winter Play, Spring Musical and Metropolitan Educational Theatre Guild Competition, is one of the major branches of Boston Latin School theatre. Each year, the troupe performs two or three shows in addition to a final show in June as a farewell to members of the troupe’s graduating class.

At last year’s senior improv show, The Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe said goodbye to 14 seniors and welcomed three new co-captains: Parker Alva (II), Apollo Duck (III) and Greta Gorman (III). Alongside co-captain from the previous year, Erika Monteiro Tavares (II), these four impressive improvisers will lead the troupe throughout the school year.

Gorman reveals her excitement in leading the club this year: “I think it’s fun […] being able to contribute to the way people grow. Obviously in improv, but also outside of that, with their confidence and their personality.”

At each practice, every improv game starts with an unexpected prompting word that sets the parameters for the scene, which could describe the setting of the game or the relationship between the improvisers. The group is then required to think on their feet and build off of each other to accomplish the objective of the game while staying true to the prompting word. At every show, audience members can participate by yelling out the word. As a result, they are treated to funny and often unrealistic scenes.

When talking about why he likes improv, Duck explains, “[Improv] doesn’t have a script, so I can’t mess up the lines. It’s really fun because all we do is play games.”

While improv as an art form does not use props, the improvisers work to captivate audiences with their physicality and pacing. Improv also does not incorporate sets, lighting design or costumes, so it is up to the performers to keep audiences engaged with what they have. Although the improvisers lack technical effects, they still manage to tell compelling — and often hilarious — stories in each game that they play.

One tool that the improvisers use is each other. Conflict and relationships between characters within improv games tend to drive the plot of each scene forward more than anything else. This allows the Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe to develop a close dynamic: whether in a show or just at practice, they are always working together.

Ana Pham (IV), a first-year improviser who appreciates this bond, adds, “Everyone just has such a fun, unique personality and really adds a nice dynamic to everyone in the group.”

After performing RuProv’s Laugh Race, The Yellow Submarine Troupe is looking forward to tackling the rest of their shows and  another year of fun and improv!