The month of April has been a memorable one for the Lockerby Composite School Improv Team.
The seven members performed in front of hundreds of people at the National Arts Centre in the nation's capital on April 10.
"Our energy was unbelievable and we definitely won over the crowd in Ottawa," said Daniele Muscolino, head coach of the team, about their performance at the National Improv Games. "The students put on the best performance they have ever done."
For the chance to compete in Ottawa, the Lockerby team beat out 15 others from northern Ontario. The team stands 18 out of  between 500  to 600 teams in the country, said Muscolino.
The improv team also held a fundraising dinner at the Caruso Club on April 7, which raised $700 for their trip east. The evening featured an Italian meal and a show by the teens. About 140 people showed up to watch the students perform various skits. This was about 60 more guests than Muscolino expected.
"The students and parents have been giving up much of their time and efforts, and this was sort of a way to give back to them by lowering their individual cost for the trip and at the same time having a one more show for their parents and friends before we went to Ottawa."
This is the first year participating in improv for Spenser Shaw, a Grade 12 student and president of the Lockerby Composite School student council.  For Paul Morse, Grade 11 student, and a self-proclaimed "street-performer" it is his third year.
Although, Shaw's long blond hair are the opposite of Morse's black locks, barely showing beneath his black toque, the two students share a quick, witty rapport.
This relationship between the students is what makes them so talented.
"These are seven students who were never good friends and now we can't keep them apart from each other," said Muscolino. "I think by working together, and the friendships that they have built are the reason why the team has such great chemistry, which makes them an unstoppable force on stage."
One of the ways the students prepare for a show is to talk and throw ideas around.
"Anyone can talk about anything, no one shoots down ideas," said Morse. "We have friendly rivalries, no dissing."
"It's brotherly-sisterly nagging," added Shaw. "But everyone is there for each other."
Although an improv show is meant to make the audience laugh most of the time, once in a while, during activities such as Life, the satire and joking is put on hold, said Morse.
"My saying is if you don't make the crowd cry then you're not doing it right," he said.
"It's an area of improv that hits home," said Shaw. "You definitely become that character for those four minutes.
Improv has taught Shaw to live in the moment.
"My little comments come out a little faster and my teachers get annoyed a little easier," Shaw jokes.
Both teens agree that shy students, who might have low self-esteem, can benefit from participating in improv.
"I used to be really shy," said Morse. "I didn't say much and I kept to myself."
For Shaw, it is a release from school and other extra curricular activities that are more stressful, such as her role on student council.
"It's high school right, so you are trying to figure out who you are," said Morse. "This (improv) is the one time you get to go out and, you know, be yourself."
Coach Muscolino has some unique, interesting and fun ways of teaching the students.
For example, a few weeks ago, he took the practice to the streets of downtown Sudbury, where the students performed. That weekend, the Aboriginal Festival was being held at the Sudbury Arena and the students ended up performing skits out front.
"People were coming out and just watching us," said Morse, who performs on the streets often. "Improv is not an escape for me. It's the fame. A lot of people get to know you and that's really why I love it.
While Morse loves the spotlight, Shaw enjoys making the audience smile.
"You're there in the moment and you have one goal and that is to make people laugh," said Shaw. "Whether you succeed or not, it's one of the rewards."
The Lockerby Improv Team members are:
Paul Morse - Grade 11
Dino Cecuti - Grade 11
James Amero - Grade 11
Roberto Muscolino - Grade 12
Stephanie Sindori - Grade 12
Spenser Shaw - Grade 12
Alison Aho - Grade 12
