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28 Artscene Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE · WEDNESDAY APRIL 8, 2009 NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER JUMP FOR JOY: Brent Racioppo, Katie Armstrong, Sarah Leaper, Trevor Hewitt, Ben Gilgan, Christian Glas and Lindsey King finish a scene during improv team practice in the Oakville Trafalgar High School theatre Monday afternoon. The team is heading to Ottawa to compete at nationals next week. Oakville Trafalgar improv team going for the gold By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF ou could say they have the Midas touch. The improv team at Oakville Trafalgar High School took home the gold at the recent Toronto regional tournament and are heading to Ottawa next week to see if they can do the same against 19 other teams at the national tournament of the Canadian Improv Games. Excitement is definitely in the air, with Grade 12 students and team members Benjamin Gilgan and Christian Glas counting down the days to the competition. "We just wanted to make it to nationals," said Glas, who joined the improv team in Grade 10. "If we come 20th out of 20, that's fine. All that matters is that we're going. That was the goal." That being said, their dreams are lined in gold. Gilgan said he believes the OT team brings something unique to the table that will give them an edge over their competition. Y "I'm very lucky to work with this group of "There are a lot of teams that are more consistent, but I think there's something students," said Muzzatti. "I credit our success about our style and the fact we like to take on the quality of students I get to work with at the school and secondly, risks. When we are on, it's my approach to how I special to watch," said "I think OT has always had a want to run rehearsals, Gilgan, who has been a reputation for sports teams, where I'm very skill based. member for two years. "A lot We get down the basics -- of people on the team are but it has definitely put us learn to work as a unit, superstitious, so it has been on the map for theatre, as learn to support each an ongoing thing for Chris well." other and then we get into and I to joke about bringing scenes. If you have the home national gold. We do Melisa Muzzatti skills, trust and drive, the not expect it, but we hope OT improv team coach for it." scenes will happen natuMaking waves on the national high school rally." improv scene is nothing new for OT students. Muzzatti added that the team's success has The group, which formed in 2002 under made OT a household name in the Canadian drama teacher Melisa Muzzatti, has advanced Improve Games. "I think OT has always had a reputation for to nationals four out of five years. The medal count sits at two bronze and rugby and sports teams, but it has definitely two gold medals at the regional level, as well put us on the map for theatre, as well," she as a bronze at nationals. The gold medal at said. This will be Glas' third national competiregionals and bronze at nationals came last tion, and Gilgan's second. Despite their past year. success, they are going into this year's event knowing they are going to have to bring their `A' game. "Last year, there was a point where I was talking to Muzzatti and trying to figure out how I could have my legs broken because I was so nervous to perform," Gilgan joked. "This year, there's still nerves, but also excitement. Emotions range from terrifying to exhilarating." There are 11 students on this year's improv team, with eight regular players and three substitutes. This includes four female and four male students in the group of eight, and three male substitutes, ranging from grades 9 through 12. It is a serious commitment to be on the team. Auditions are held in the fall, with the group rehearsing once a week after school for roughly two hours. Once the Canadian Improv Games competition season starts after Christmas, rehearsals are held two to three times a week. See Improv page 29