Cailtin Brennan, Skye Lasenby, Amarah Thorpe, Catherine Courtney, Abby Challenger, Freya Lee and Neve Koretgast of the Nelson College for Girls Theatresports team. Photo: Charles Anderson.

Students embrace the unknown

0
2446

Usually when students spend hours preparing their performance for two hours on the stage, you might expect them to at least have a script.

But this time six high schools will put up their sharpest minds and quickest wits to battle it out in an all-improvised extravaganza.

The Tasman Regional Theatresports finals are on and those students are preparing themselves for a flight into the unknown.

“Come and watch the local colleges blow your mind with their improv skills,” says organiser Nikkie Whitehead. “Everything you see will be made up on the spot and never to be seen again.”

Nikkie says that the skills the students exhibit are ones that are great for life.

“It’s great for working as a group, being creative, being quick thinking and being a really good listener.”

Improv works off each player trying to build scenes with their fellow players on stage. But rather than trying to be a show pony, the schools will be judged on the central tenants of improv – making others look good, accepting all offers given to you on stage and being confident even when you fail.

“But it’s also just really great fun, both to be a part of and to watch,” says Nikkie. “Nobody knows what is going to happen but it will be entertaining.”

Motueka High School, Golden Bay High School, Waimea College, Nelson College, Nelson College for Girls and Garin College will all be competing. The competition is at the Suter Theatre, tonight (Tuesday) from 7pm to 9.30pm and Tuesday August 7.