Donald Keough, News Editor–

At long last, the clock struck 8 p.m., ending the 24-hour Burpee’s Seedy Theatrical Company’s improv show. As students applauded, members of the company laughed, cried and embraced each other. 

“It’s a crazy feeling,” said Alex Redrick ‘25, moments after their final sketch finished. “You’d think you feel more tired at the end, but it really is this feeling of genuine accomplishment.” 

Redrick has been with the Burpee’s since she was a sophomore. 

“[We have] so much of a support system that getting to spend this time together in the spring is always really cool,” Redrick said. “I’m just grateful more than anything.”

The show went from Feb. 21-22, starting and ending at 8 p.m., and this show was one of many in Burpee’s history. They typically occur in the spring semester each year. 

The show’s purpose is to serve as a fundraiser, and this year the Burpees were seeking donations for Altadena Hardware, a local business in Altadena, CA which was destroyed by the Eaton fire in Los Angeles. 

The show itself consists of different sketches of improv, and members of the Burpee’s alternate between who performs or who manages the sketch. The lengths of these sketches vary, and Redrick said her favorite sketch that she acted in was of two characters, Clear and Murky, which went on for 40 minutes. 

The lack of sleep weighed on some of the members, although they were able to push through to the end.

“I think I started really losing it around, probably, like, three or four, and then you catch your second, third, fourth, fifth wind,” Redrick said. “I’m probably on like my eighth wind by now. Caffeine helps and again, the people that you’re around makes it more fun.” 

For the seniors, this was their last 24-hour show, which made the experience more meaningful for them. 

“It’s a relief, but it’s also really bittersweet,” Selena Mendez ‘25 said. “I’ve made a lot of good friends, and our time is coming to an end. It’s emotional, but it’s also really fun, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” 

Earlier in the year, the Burpee’s celebrated their 45th anniversary with a performance in Swasey Chapel alongside alumni including Steve Carell ‘84. Redrick reflected on this year and the group’s closeness with one another.

“This is something that we put so much of ourselves into since we joined,” Redrick said. “The Burpee’s is an improv group, but it’s also so much more of a community.”