The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 23, 2007 - 35 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2007 OT improv team's goal is to have fun Team competing for a spot in the Canadian National Improv Games By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Patience. Cynical in a snow globe. Tilt. Living inside a pocket. Those are just some of the situations Oakville Trafalgar High School's (OT) 10person improv team has brought to life on stage this year. And while the scenes change, judges have noticed the one thing OT brings to the stage every time: a sense of fun. "The judges always call us "OT has a the team that's reputation for rugby there to enterand sports, but we tain and have do also have a bit fun, and not of a reputation for just to get points," said being improv Korey enthusiasts." McDermott, 19. "As long as OT improv coach, we're having drama teacher fun, it always Melisa Muzzatti goes well." Tomorrow, the team ­ coached by OT drama teacher Melisa Muzzatti ­ will compete in a Toronto wildcard for the Canadian National Improv Games. If they win, OT will compete again on Saturday to earn a chance to go to Ottawa for a country-wide competition. The 2004 team at OT ­ that was the last time Mazotti coached since being on maternity leave with twins ­ placed 5th in Canada. "OT has a reputation for rugby and sports," she said, "but we do also have a bit of a reputation for being improv enthusi- RIZIERIO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER FRIENDS FIRST, TEAMMATES SECOND: Members of Oakville Trafalgar High School's Improv team include (clockwise from the bottom left): Connor Low, Jen Collins, Keren Petrie, Lex Shannon, Lindsey King, Christian Glas, Caleb Gilgan and Jordan Moffat. asts." This year's team was third in Halton and also won bronze at regionals for the western division. They were one point shy of advancing directly to the next round, as the top two teams in regionals advance. "We came so close to making it," said Jen Collins, a Grade 11 student and second year team member. "As long as we go out there and do what we've been doing in rehearsals, it should go well." Rehearsals involve warm-ups ­ earlier this week it started out with standing in a circle and acting like either an elephant or airplane, which caused a lot of laughter. These aren't your usual rehearsals. That's because The Improv Games isn't your usual competition. Every event begins with this pledge: "To co-operate with one another, to learn from each other and commit ourselves to the moment, and above all to have a good time." "What drew me to improv is that it's really designed to sort of be a friendly competition," said Muzzatti. "While teams are on stage, the other teams are cheering them on. It's a really friendly atmosphere." The way the competition works is each team ­ there are eight members on OT's plus two subs ­ play four out of five events, each lasting up to four minutes. Audience suggestions are taken and the See Improv page 39 & Make Your Home Comfort More Affordable LENNOX SALE ® CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE *10 Yea rs Parts & Labour Warranty Family owned and operated alternative funeral home Up to $ 1000 Rebate *OAC * Instant 24 HOUR SERVICE LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED on caskets, urns and monuments DIRECT CREMATION PACKAGE $ 1,25000 complete NO PAYMENT! Financing Available *Call for Details NO INTEREST! As Low As $ 3995 /month FOR 6 MONTHS AND O.A.C. No hidden or unexpected costs (includes professional service, cremation container, crematorium fee, gov't. registration, coroner fee, funeral director's proof of death certificates) GST included European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship Memories Cremation & Burial Services licensed by the Board of Funeral Services NO DUCTS · NO PROBLEM Save $350 on ductless air conditioners W E S T (905) 825-9919 or toll free 7 locations to serve you better! "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 1-888-825-9919 www.memoriescremation.com 905.849.0266