Despite the first sweltering heat of the season, Cromwell Lounge was packed on Sunday, April 13, for the second annual Mixed Mixed Signals Show, featuring the College’s premiere improv troupe dressed as each other. The event, which was sponsored by ResLife, aimed to provide comedic relief to the campus during this hectic time.
As always, The Mixed Signals performed a variety of games featuring all of their members. An audience favorite, Party Favors, forced one member (a party host) to try and guess distinct character traits of three guests attending his party. The night’s ‘party guests’ included someone who was in love with the host, someone who was always sick and God.
Performing their second-to-last show of the semester, it is evident how much chemistry has developed between the new and old members of The Mixed Signals. Time and a lot of practice has strengthened the troupe’s ability to work quickly with each other in any given situation.
Senior members, including the troupe’s president, history and secondary education dual major Jonathan Dowler, have recently been featured in a variety of skits. Graham Mazie, Lindsey Nice and Nina Shulgach also showed off their seasoned skills, appearing in multiple acts throughout the evening.
Every Mixed Signal show is always met with thunderous applause and howling laughter, and after surveying some loyal audience members, it is easy to see why.
“I like attending Mixed Signals shows because it’s a great way to just relax and have a good time,” freshman women’s and gender studies major Mary-Elizabeth Thompson said. “It gets your mind off of whatever else is going on in your life.”
That kind of loyalty has made The Mixed Signals a staple of the College’s campus. As each class graduates, another new class comes in and experiences the comedic magic for the first time. From then on, they are hooked.
“I appreciate improv because it is hard — you create the entire scene from absolutely nothing, and then you have the added pressure of being funny,” said senior journalism and political science double major Jenna Rose, who has attended Mixed Signals shows since the fall semester of her freshman year.
This improv troupe has more than proved itself as a highly respected and admired organization on campus.
“Improv is something you don’t get to see too often, so when you have that opportunity, it only makes sense to take it,” Thompson said.
Having that opportunity be with The Mixed Signals only makes the experience that much sweeter.
