Let's Get Ethan ✔

Chapter 37

When Ethan dropped into improv practice, after a full day of class introductions, syllabi, and strange faces, it felt different. Not only was his entire day different because he had switched his classes to English major requirements, he remembered that night was the first improv show. They had prepped all of first semester, and now it was finally time. The big moment was that day, and he had barely gotten a wink of sleep. They had done practices of it, and he had done fine, and they had prepared for so long. But nothing could have prepared him fully for the real deal, literally nothing, or so Ethan thought. But as practices increased throughout last semester, and as he continued to spend time with the group comedy came easily. In part, because his teammates were especially funny guys and gals, but also because Ethan was learning how to improvise on the spot. He knew that whatever he did up there he had to put his whole self into it. It was easy in some respects, there was no confusion about lines because there were none.

Essentially, all members were chameleons up on stage to show the audience a good time. The pressure was never higher, and yet, Ethan felt contained. His nerves were pretty much gone. It was like he had been biting his nails to the beds, and that with one more chomp he'd be down to bloodied knuckles. He had wondered and speculated about this first show so much that there was nothing left to think. He hadn't gone as far as inviting any of his friends to the show, though. Which was probably for the best. Seeing them would make him more nervous.

The group started with the usual crazy games, then a weird dance routine, then another practice run for the show, then they ran through the show while dancing the dance routine with the music at full volume. It was almost strange how it was actually easier to perform with Journey backing you the entire way.

It was a marathon improv session. Finally, Sadie hollered out midway through Disco Inferno, "Stop! We are headed to the stage, wonderful job you guys! You'll all do amazing; this is going to be amazing. Whoop, whoop! Remember, be in it, and give it all you got."

"Alright, funny people, let's go!" the class pet shouted. The boy gave Ethan a pat on the back before heading to the front to be with his betrothed.

Ethan was hyped, though it was impossible not to be with everyone smiling and practically skipping to the stage. Everything was loud, and technically he wasn't nervous because he was happy, but he didn't know if that was real, it was a surreal experience. They were a large group of college students all headed to bring down the house in front of a live audience. He could taste the words; he felt the thunderous noise in his direction. The crowd was a surge of adrenaline, the stage was theirs, and at nine at night on a Wednesday, the improv group had settled into a show. And, what a show it was.

Ethan was partnered with Sadie, and Martin was partnered with Larry. It was customary for all freshmen to be paired up with the most experienced members, so that the show would run smoothly, and it did. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't bad at all, in the slightest, in fact, Ethan felt as if he was just having a normal conversation, and he even got some laughs from the audience. Sure, some parts were a bit corny, even cringeworthy, but he was not the only one that was off cue at points, even other members older than him messed up their stance or had instances of blathering, but it was plain to see the audience was having a good time, and that was all that ever mattered during an Improv show. As the wise Sadie once said what isn't important is how you speak, remember that if you are stumped on a word give it a second, it's perfectly okay to stall, just be in character, and if it hits you're golden!

Improvisation was a conversation up on stage, you can prep, you can excite the audience, you can act like a complete buffoon, it doesn't mean it's funny, and it doesn't mean you'll succeed. What mattered most was going up there and trying, being brave, and knowing that you have to let go of all control, leave all doubt backstage, and just go with it.

And, Ethan did, he was completely in it. For the first time, in a long time, fright was his friend, and he cherished every second of it.

The curtain closed on the team of actors. Behind the red velvet, he was absolutely thrilled. As dorky as he acted or as funny as people probably thought he was for even doing this, he didn't care. He loved being up there, he loved making people laugh, it was his passion. Everyone was abuzz hugging each other, climbing over others to give high fives, some were quiet in a corner still chatting, some were stunned, some looked like they were about to go into shock, but no one had reason to, everyone, at least in his opinion, did great. Exactly as they were supposed to.

Red and black t-shirts surrounded him, and the roar of the group only increased in volume as they stepped out from behind the curtain for one final bow before running off stage and joining the audience and going home for the night. It was nearly ten-thirty so the need to go home would probably outrank any attempt of an after show hang out. The rest of the semester would be weekend shows, but this one was more of a test run, just to kick off spring semester, and assure everyone would be there.

Ethan would certainly never forget the first time he did an improv show.

Lastly, before they left, Sadie addressed the entire group saying to head back to the classroom for some sort of announcement and some cookies. Most of the team, especially freshmen and older members, went with her, while some headed out.

Once they were in the small classroom again, Sadie brought out the cookies promised and began to speak.

"Hey, that was wonderful guys, thanks for sticking around a bit longer, I know most of you want to go home, but I just wanted to announce something real quick. As most of you know, this is my last semester at UCSB, and I am so sad to be going, so if any of you are interested in being captain or co-captain of the team next year please send me an email and we can get things going with that, okay? We are looking for younger members, so please, if you think you can make improv a priority, shoot me an email as soon as you know if you'd be interested."

Ethan's eyes widened ever so slightly; he was interested.

That didn't mean he could though, could he? Though they were looking for newer members and he did have a dream of being a comedy writer one day or even a comedian. What was the harm in applying?

Big dreams weren't a bad thing, and if he did get to be co-captain or even captain it would be a great thing to put on a resume. Not only that, it would probably increase his confidence. If he applied, he'd have the choice to be either co-captain or captain. He'd probably choose co-captain though; it was a starting point.

Though maybe tomorrow he'd change his mind, once he was out of the limelight awhile. Part of him hoped he wouldn't though. Regardless, it would be quite the undertaking and he wasn't going to take the role if he couldn't handle it, he'd just have to email Sadie to see what she'd say.

Sadie said goodnight to everyone before they all left, going their separate ways. It even felt a little lonely after such an astounding event. When the energy was so high it was hard for Ethan to get his feet on the ground again and realize that he had class the very next day and also had to locate the poor guy who would drive him home that night. He didn't plan far ahead enough to find a ride home with all the nerves of the day, it didn't help that his mind was also on the whole "being in love with Olivia" thing. When would he ever have a normal roommate situation?