As the lights of the Valparaiso High School stage flared to life, the thundering applause of a crowd eager to be entertained filled the auditorium. Mocha Madness, the VHS Drama Club’s annual improv comedy event, is always a smash hit, but this year, with an undead theme brought to life by the antics of the players, Mocha Madness 2013: When Zombies Attack, reached new heights of hilarity and fun.
The show, performed on Feb. 28 and March 1 and 2, is comprised of a series of improv “games” (in many ways modeled after the Second City) that use audience suggestions and preset rules to craft situations with humorous payoff. Two teams the Saturday Night Undead and the Laughing Dead face off against one another to see who could score the most laughs.
The players for Saturday Night Undead included Daniel Barajas, Emily Froelich, Nicole Koehn, Katie Ploetz, Jessica Rodriguez, Amanda Smaga, Tyler Smaga, Russell Stewart, Kevin Tognetti and Luke Zezra. The Laughing Dead included Patrick Azar, Kurt Kohler, Jon Krus, Esther Peres, Michael Pupillo, Jilly Rafalski, Laura Riggle, Kevin Scannell and Jacob Vargas.
Yet the power of Mocha Madness runs deeper than the ability to illicit laughter.
“I believe that Mocha Madness is more than just a comedy show. There are no auditions, so it gives an amazing opportunity for anyone who wants to come perform and try to improve,” Mocha Madness Host and VHS senior Samantha Prevost said. “Throughout the whole process people gain more confidence in themselves and learn how to trust and understand others, which improv is perfect for. The show isn't only a small bit of comic relief, but a way for people to branch out and discover something new inside of them that they didn't have before.”
Indeed, the show is only as strong as the cast, and a successful show reflects a confident, witty and creative cast.
“This particular group has such passion and conviction whenever they perform - they always give it their all,” crewmember Brenna Lill said. “Plus, they know how to make every situation, no matter how embarrassing or awkward, seem hilarious and comfortable. In my mind, that is a rare gift indeed. Basically, I couldn't have asked to work alongside better people.”
In addition to their talent and witty repartee, the cast brings a healthy dose of hard work to the improv stage.
“The kids have worked hard, rehearsing and learning the art form of improvisation and coming together as a team,” director Bob Craig said. “It’s a lot of work in a very compact amount of time. They’ve done an awesome job.”
At the close of the show, when the laughter was tallied up, the Saturday Night Undead and the Laughing Dead were neck and neck, ending the night with a draw.
“I absolutely adore Drama Club,” Lill said. “Each and every part of it - from lights, sound and technical production, to acting and directing, basically, I love just being a part of the grand scheme of things.”