Improv stands up at UNC

Comedy is set to take the stage Wednesday when Carrboro’s Dirty South Improv Touring Company performs its “Best Show Ever” on UNC’s campus.

The show, organized by the Carolina Union Activities Board, will include improvisational comedy and some stand-up comedy.

And those who attend the show will also have the opportunity to sign up for a free improv workshop taught by the comedians of DSI.

Founded by UNC alumnus Zach Ward, DSI is a local comedy theater and school, which offers classes in improv, sketch comedy and stand-up.

Ward said the mixing of stand-up and improv in “Best Show Ever” is a part of what makes it stand out from other shows.

“One thing about ‘Best Show Ever’ is that it does feature multiple parts of what we do,” Ward said.
“Carolina students will get to see two of the areas, I think the funniest stand-up comedians and some of the best improvisers in the state improvising on campus.”

Ashley Melzer, a comedian who has been with DSI for about two years, will perform with the group during Wednesday’s show.

“We have a DSI style — we play fast, we play bold, we make big choices,” Melzer said.

“We’re focused on making the audience have a great time.

“We’re not focused on indulging our own artistic choices — It’s finding that middle ground.”

Sophomore pre-business major Merrick Osborne, CUAB’s comedy director, played a large role in organizing the event.

“(Comedy) is a skill and an art form, and I think bringing DSI here will help people to recognize that,” Osborne said.

Wednesday’s show will include some audience interaction for the different collaborative games the comedians will play.

“We’ll be playing a few short-form games I usually describe as something you might see on ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’” Melzer said.

“They’re like quick, fun games that are a little bit participatory with the audience.”

One game the comedians will be playing is called “The Dream,” where they interview someone about their day and then tell him or her what might be his or her dream that night.

Osborne said comedians need to interact with the audience in their performances.

“A good comedian will be able to get the audience engaged in whatever he does,” Osborne said.
And he said Wednesday’s show is no different.

“In general, (the audience) can expect a good time, and that’s what I’m looking forward to,” Osborne said.

“DSI’s a really good group to work with and they’re also very funny.”
Melzer is a product of improv classes.

“The idea of taking an improv class is really exciting to me because it’s about living your fear and trusting in your instincts,” Melzer said.

“So I took a 101 class not intending to do anything more with it, and it stuck.”

Osborne said that improv is not only a great way to make people laugh, but it’s a form of comedy that is applicable to real-life situations, including building up people skills.

“The cool thing about improvisational comedy is that you can use it anywhere,” he said.

“It’s just the idea of thinking on the spot and using what you have to progress a situation.”

arts@dailytarheel.com