If Awkward Silence, or “AwkSci,” the USF student improv team, sold tickets to their shows they would make a pretty penny. Most nights their shows are at capacity with eager and enthusiastic students waiting to get their laugh on, but lucky for us college students most shows are free.
Surprisingly enough, Awkward Silence is not a University affiliated organization. In fact, this group of student comedians receives no funding what so ever, though they have requested funding from USF. This fact makes their upcoming trip to The National College Improv Tournament in Chicago a testament to the group’s success.
After winning The Golden Gate Regional for the second year in a row, Awkward Silence will be one of only two returning groups to the national competition, and the only one to be going on their own dime. Though the trip is costly, it didn’t stop this dedicated group of individuals who created their own account on gofundme.com, and through the support of friends, family and fellow students they raised up to $2,000 and are on their way to the Windy City!
The National Tournament will take place this Saturday the 23rd as an all-day event. It will begin with four preliminary rounds consisting of four colleges competing against each other in each round.
Last year Awkward Silence did not make it into the final round, though the team is confident going in this second time. According to one of the team’s co-captains, Lucas Waldron, “we have developed a good relationship with Chicago’s own Second City Improv, so even competing is a great way to network, and as one of only two returning groups, we feel very confident about this year.”
Awkward Silence was formerly a part of the Performing Arts and Social Justice program at USF, but has been operating as an “underground” student improv team since around 2008, and every year their audience and success has grown.
The team’s other Co-Captain and graduating senior, Dana Robie, says, “the opportunities that Awkward Silence has given me, and the people I have met along the way have been some of the best aspects of being a part of this team, and I hope that the future brings more opportunities, competitions and off-campus performances.”
Awkward Silence holds auditions once a year and if invited to be a member, you are involved all years you are a student at USF. Both Co-captains would like to extend an open invitation to all who are interested to come out and audition this coming August the first week of school, so be on the look out!
