39 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Improv team shocks national judges with creativity Continued from page 38 The journey to nationals started back in the fall, with auditions for what has become a popular extra-curricular group at the school held in October. The team initially met twice a week, but were soon gathering as many as five nights a week by Christmas. Brought together by a love for improv and the drive to perform as a cohesive unit, the team soon referred to themselves as a family. The group took first place at the Zone Tournament held at their school earlier this year, where there were 11 teams from across Halton and Peel taking part. Regionals were held in early March in Toronto, where they came second against 55 teams. The students then travelled to Ottawa for the National Tournament of Canadian Improv Games, where 20 of the best and brightest improv teams from high schools across the country had assembled. The games ran April 14-18. The experience of going to nationals, which included not only performing, but also taking part in workshops, was rewarding, according to the students. "It was nice to be around people who know what you are trying to do, because there are lots of people who don't know what improv is," said Haya Waseem, a Grade 12 improv team member. The team was pumped and didn't let their nerves get to them, according to the coaches. "We were high on life and in awe of actually being there," Meiklejohn said. "It's such a great atmosphere." Abbey Park played the Friday night leading into the Saturday finals. The atmosphere was electric, the students said. "I was feeling really excited and I was worried it would be my last chance to perform with them, so I wanted to have fun and do our best," Currie said. Their solid performance resulted in them being named as one of the five teams for the final night, with Abbey Park taking on teams from Regina, Vancouver Island, Ottawa and Waterloo. What happened that night was magic. "I remember feeling totally safe with the team and knowing I could count on them and they were great," said Waseem. "We all knew what we were doing. We were on top of our game." Coach and Abbey Park High School improv team alumni Meiklejohn said it was a touching and rewarding moment. "They were on fire that night," he said. "They would get a suggestion and instantly, all of them would huddle together and it was like they had one mind. Then they would do the scene, and it was amazing. They were truly in the moment. I've never been so proud of eight individuals." While the high school from Vancouver Island took home the top prize, the students said there was a huge range of emotions -- from yelps of joy to tears -- when they were told they had come in second. "There was some confusion and at first, I thought we had won fourth place and I was so happy," said Waseem. "Then we were called second and everything came to a stop. It was amazing and I would love to relive that." Caldwell said she is extremely proud of her students. More important than the second place finish is the growth they experienced, she said. "What I saw develop in the students is the ability to think outside of the box," said Caldwell, who has been head coach of the improv team at the high school for eight years. "I think, whether they realize it or not, is that they can use this in any profession because people who can do that are the creative thinkers of the future who are going to be able to solve problems like no other. What these students can do blows me away. To see them jump without a net, fearlessly, is unbelievable. I'm in awe when I watched them play." The Oakville Trafalgar High School improv team also competed at the National Tournament of Canadian Improv Games. They put in a strong performance and came in 10th place out of 20. YOUR CATERING SPECIALISTS. CELEBRATING 5 YEARS! PLUM fresh innovative As one of Oakville's leading caterers, we offer catering for: · summer bbq's · grand openings · corporate events · pre and post wedding brunches · ground breakings · private parties 905-844-7110