Ball State University's improvisational comedy troupe, Absolunacy, will perform in New York City at the Upright Citizens Brigade's sixth annual Del Close Marathon at 10:30 a.m. on July 31.
The troupe earned a half-hour time slot in the round-the-clock marathon featuring other troupes from Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, St. Louis, and Salt Lake City. More than100 troupes will perform this year.
Absolunacy will perform alongside comedians from television shows including VH1's "Best Week Ever," Comedy Central's "Crossballs," "Mad T.V." and "The Daily Show,"as well as "Late Night" and "Saturday Night Live."
The Upright Citizen Brigade organizes the marathon every year in honor of the late Del Close, one of the founding fathers of long-form improv comedy.
The Upright Citizens Brigade Web site says Close's style influenced comedians Bill Murray, Mike Myers, John Belushi, Chris Farley, and Tina Fey.
Members of Absolunacy heard about the marathon on a trip to New York City over Spring Break last year. The students created an audition video of past shows and submitted it to a review committee. More than 180 groups entered the competition, and Absolunacy was among those selected.
Absolunacy members said they were excited about performing at the same time as many of their mentors.
"Not only to perform myself, but to see these people I've looked up to perform and watch others," Absolunacy member Wes Haney said, "It's going to be a great learning experience.
"Ever since I saw the 'Upright Citizens Brigade' T.V. show in high school, I've admired them, " Jared Jefferies, a first-year Absolunacy member, said.
Ten of Absolunacy's cast members will carry the troupe's unique style to New York City.
"Everyone in the group is a lot more devoted than other college comedy groups and yet they've had almost no professional training," Jefferies said. "I think Absolunacy is more original because of being in Muncie and being isolated from the rest of the improv community."
Haney said long-form improvisational comedy is a theme-based, free-flowing kind of improvisation that feeds off the other members.
"Improv is a group-oriented thing," Jefferies said. "You are only as good as the people you're working with. If you make a bad choice some one can save you."
"When something snaps and you find yourself in a rhythm with someone, it's kind of like everyone has a group mind and we're all in tune with what everyone is thinking or what they're about to say," Jefferies said.
Some Absolunacy troupe members said their group effort has brought them more than just success in entertainment.
"I've met some great people and built some great friendships accomplishing things with them," Haney said. "It makes it a lot easier to have each other's backs and know they support you.
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