Henry Gamble, News Editor—

The Burpee’s Seedy Theatrical Company, known commonly as the Burpees, are the nation’s oldest collegiate improv group, with roots dating back to 1979. This year, the comedy troupe raised over $1,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charity Foundation.

According to the group’s website, the Burpees originated as a theater class taught by Professor Kevin Hoggard, and within the next year, students such as Steve Carrel ‘84 auditioned and joined the group.

Since then, the Burpees have created what are now long-established traditions, such as the Out With the Old and In With the New Show, the Big Red Weekend Show, and the 24-Hour Show, the latest of which occurred this past weekend in Herrick Hall.

This semester’s 24-Hour show will be the last for the group’s three Seniors, Ellie Laird ‘23, Tait Ferguson ‘23, and Sam Wyckoff ‘23.

For all three improvises, time spent with the Burpees has been an incredibly meaningful experience.

Laird emphasized the importance of the group when she explained that, “ I was planning to transfer from Denison my freshman year, and the Burpees at that time really were a big part of the reason I stayed, because of the friendships and bonds that we had, I knew that when I came back as a sophomore that they were going to be there.”

For Ferguson, there was never any intention of being a Burpee. After an interaction at a tabling event, he decided to audition – a decision which he said has allowed him to interact with people he never would have otherwise.

As the President of the group, W y k c o f f said that the Burpees have “shaped my time at Denison, in many different ways, especially, socially, but also in different ways, this year, especially in a leadership role.”

When asked about the skills they will take with them, Laird, Ferguson and Wyckoff had a plethora of answers.

For Ferguson, the ability to put himself in uncomfortable situations at times was valuable and a skill that he thinks will allow him to take up more opportunities in the future.

Laird connected her time with the Burpees with the career in film and TV she hopes to pursue.

She added, “in everyday life, it’s helped me just get by, with things that maybe I should have prepared a bit more for.”

Time spent with the group has helped Wcykoff create what he called, “the out-on-a-limb philosophy,” which for him embodies the improvisational, comedic, and adventurous spirit of the Burpees.

More than anything, Laird, Ferguson, and Wyckoff spoke of the relationships they have found throughout their time in the Burpees.

Looking forward to their graduation, the trio expressed gratitude for the friends made along the way.