Every year the Burpees welcome a new crop of eager improv comedians who are ready to go “out on a limb” and this year is no different. For those who don’t know, founded in 1979, the Burpees (officially known as the Burpees Seedy Theatrical Company) is the oldest collegiate improv group in the country. Their rich legacy on the hill is indisputable and includes one of Denison’s most famous alumni, Steve Carell ‘84, who was part of the group in it’s early days.
The Burpees held their annual auditions last Saturday, February 4th. Several students were called back the next day for a second round of auditions before final decisions were made about new members. It was a weekend full of improv games and performances meant to determine how prospective Burpees would fit into the close-knit group.
And the Burpees take their auditions seriously, because they’ve formed such a strong bond that’s allowed them to feel comfortable in vulnerable situations.
“Getting up there can be really intimidating and so it’s really important that when you’re on stage to be able to trust the people you’re with, and a big part of that is being friends and being close and having a good group dynamic,” said member Sam Wyckoff ‘23.
One of the most important aspects of the Burpees is being a team player. At auditions, they were looking for people who would be able to click with the rest of the group, as well as people who were open-minded and ready to learn. The new sophomore and freshman students that will be joining the Burpees won’t necessarily have to have a background in performing as long as they are ready to step out of their comfort zone.
“It happens, people come in with experience, but experience is definitely not a qualifier,” said Wyckoff.
They obviously want to make the crowd laugh and make sure everyone is enjoying themselves but the Burpees consider their show a success as long as they’ve had a good time as a group.
“If you and your scene partner had a lot of fun that’s just as good as the whole crowd laughing,” said Wyckoff.
One of their biggest goals for this year is to reach out and connect with the broader community more through their performances. Last semester, they performed at the Granville Arts Fair and ReMix, as well as at their Big Red Weekend and Halloween shows. They also teach improv classes to local schools, including Granville Middle School. But their biggest performance by far is their annual 24 hour show, a show that Phoebe Martin ‘24 described as a “really fun hurdle.” While the show may be a logistical challenge for the group, they are also thankful for the opportunity to raise money for charity. One of their proudest accomplishments was raising $2,000 for the Incarcerated Nations Network a few years ago.
“I felt like we were doing something,” said Martin.
And improv has helped the Burpees gain important skills outside of performing. They’ve not only learned how to work closely with each other, but how to be confident in their own skin and make quick decisions.
“I think what’s cool is that all the skills we’ve learned here are applicable for life and push us out of our comfort zones,” said member Tait Ferguson ‘23.
In the past few years, it’s seemed like the Burpees are comprised of mostly women, but the group’s demographics have been much different in the past.
“Historically the burpees have not been super inclusive,” said Ferguson.
Members have heard sentiments from alumni that the group is funnier when led by male students, but new Burpees have pushed back against that rhetoric.
“What we’re looking for is people that really connect with the group and that can happen with every gender,” said Wyckoff ‘23.
“We’re not trying to get up and make a statement, we just want to collect funny people. And Sometimes that’s a lot of girls, sometimes that’s a lot of guys, sometimes it’s an even split,” echoed Martin.
To the members of this group, the Burpees is about more than just performing comedy for their fellow Denisonians. It’s about long-lasting friendships, growing performance skills and building confidence that will serve them well post-Denison as they go “out on a limb.”