Hit comedy troupe Consensual Improv returned on Friday, Nov. 6,
to the stage of Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC), the venue where their shenanigans began a decade ago, to celebrate the growth of the players and the audiences that have grown around them. The show was sold out and those in attendance left the black box with smiles wider than when they walked in. The show included many suggestions from the audience, new games based on collaborations between the cast and audience, and, above all, gratitude.
In chatting with the players after their final bows, each performer shared gratitude for the work they have contributed to the troupe, along with hope for what they can accomplish in the next decade of “yes anding” across stages. Kristin Carlson, a member of the players since 2021, whose original show “Beyond Reason” will premiere at TRTC on Nov. 13, credits Consensual Improv’s success to the trust the players have in one another, which is why folks keep coming back to see their shows.
“[In improv] you have to trust each other, so that is something that we have in common because any theater production, you have to be ready to cover for a scene,” Carlson said. “You might drop a line, or you have to cover for someone else. So there are moments of improv in probably every performed show you witness, but the trick is, usually, to make that invisible. Whereas when we’re performing, even our fluttering around and fumbling for words adds to the humanity of it, and that’s really why we’re laughing. It’s like, ‘oh, aren’t we humans ridiculous?’ And in the best way possible.”
The trust between the cast can be felt throughout the entire run. This energy remains a comfortable constant in viewing the act despite none of the material being scripted, with the majority made up on the spot using a prompt. Some of the highlights from this milestone celebration performance included prompts where items such as a feather duster and a roll of cheap toilet paper were used outside of their intended purposes, a scene where a funeral with the most ridiculous moments of the deceased’s life were acted out, the making and reenacting of a dime-store novel and much more silly hijinks.
In discussing the future stages and venues of this act, Carlson said the team is looking to expand more into the community of the Roaring Fork Valley, but hopes that the players are all able to spread their wings to explore new places. Her sentiments were shared by co-star Mike Monroney, who also said future players and collaborations may play an important role in the years to come.
“One of the things that keeps the group going is new people,” Monroney said. “I am getting up there in age but I will keep contributing as long as I am able to, but I love when we bring in new people and watch how they develop. We’d love to do more shows, but it’s really tricky. The Valley is finite and we worry about oversaturating the need for improv. At the same time, it’d be really fun to collaborate with other troupes and see what we can make happen.”
Newcomer Nellie Conboy, whose acting and comedy skills felt like a very natural fit to the team, is one of these new talents, and as a first time viewer of her contributions, I strongly believe she will quickly become a fan favorite among the current, long-time cast as well as new viewers. Her humor was quick-witted, flexible and quirky, all the classic makings of an improv performer.
For updates on upcoming performances, to purchase tickets, or to join a jam session, visit theconsensualimprov.com