Hey Grrrrl, Been to Badgers in a Bathtub?

Shey Bloomfield

Staff

Photo By Shey Bloomfield

Badgers in a Bathtub is the only show on campus where “hey grrrrl,” is a valid proposal response and running requires turtles instead of shoes.

Formerly known as Let Them Improvise, Badgers in a Bathtub is Snow’s improv team dedicated to spontaneous jokes and unpredictable comedy.

Throughout the show, the group plays various improv games. Team member, Rey Ivie, said that some of these games, “throw us into the water and we just hope we know how to swim.”

Zach Brown, a senior member, explained the importance of just trusting your abilities. He said, “When everybody goes out there and we just give it, it’s phenomenal.”

Each semester, the team changes to allow more students to participate. Landon Ginn, a returning member, shared, “Over the semester, there’s this chemistry that builds with each individual team. By the end of the semester it’s like you can read each other's minds. It’s like you found your people.”

Another member of the group, Sara Winkler, added that, “It’s fun to, not make fun of each other, but make fun with each other… we can all laugh together and encourage each other to make mistakes and grow.”

While most of the show comes from the cast, Sara also explained that, “The audience is important to us and it’s not just about the people on stage.”

Throughout the show, the hosts ask the audience for prompts and ideas for their games. There are also some games that call for audience participation where they can control the actors, influence the story, or even participate in the scene. Through this, the audience is engaged the whole time which can make it a better experience for everyone in attendance.

Ky Habel, another member of the team, said, “The team and the audience’s energy play off of each other and that becomes a pivotal aspect in the show. We want the audience to feel like they are part of the show.

We highly value the prompts they give, and we are excited to implement more games that include audience participation. We can’t wait to see what happens next!”

The improv team kicked off the season with shows on February 7 and 8. Matinee performances are scheduled every Saturday in February, with more shows planned throughout the semester.

These performances are free and, as Landon emphasized, “they’re just – especially for college students – a great chance to laugh and have fun.”