Concordia's IMPROVables plans a semester of entertainment

by Hope Nelson

Seward, NE (09/12/2024) — The Concordia IMPROVables, an improvisational theatre group, plans to present campus with several entertaining shows throughout the course of the Fall 2024 semester.

The IMPROVables fall schedule includes performances at:

Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. -- Homecoming show in Concordia Plaza

Friday, Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. -- Halloween-themed mini-Improvathon in Janzow Top

Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. -- Janzow Top

IMPROVables practices every Tuesday and Thursday night from 8:30-10 p.m. in the Black Box theatre of the Borland Center for Music and Theatre. The group, which is part of Concordia's performance-focused Curtain Club, is open to all students interested in improvisation, honing their performance skills and having fun.

In the past, IMPROVables has also hosted shows at Seward's Olde Glory Theatre as well as the outdoor band shell north of Godfather's Pizza.

"The most fun parts of improv are laughing with friends at the scenes in practices and the shows we put on at Concordia for students and the community," said Caleb Jalas, one-third of the IMPROVables leadership team for this year.

This year's IMPROVables leadership includes senior Caleb Jalas of Deshler, Nebraska, sophomore Jason Church of Auburn, Washington, and sophomore Sarah Stepp of Lincoln, Nebraska.

According to Jalas, improv can help students strengthen their communication and public speaking skills while engaging them in fun, spontaneous activities.

"Improv is a great way to work on social and communication skills, storytelling, flexible planning and quick thinking. Public speaking is a worthwhile skill to develop for any profession, and improv is proven to help people feel comfortable in front of a crowd," he said.

While Concordia's improv group represents many students from education, church work and human servicesmajors, Jalas said, the group also represents students in math, biology, art and more.

Furthermore, the group places an emphasis on faith culture among its members.

"We are also a close community centered around our love for God and each other. Our prayer time at each practice grounds us in our Christian faith and reminds us that we are there to support each other," said Jalas.

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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