Laugh Riot Festival XIII: Livin' on Da Edge

February 11-12, 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.

Loeb Experimental Theater

Directed by Graham H. Lazar ’12

Produced by Aneliese K. Palmer ’12

For the Immediate Gratification Players (IGP), Harvard’s only long-form improvisational comedy troupe, life imitates art. As they prepare for “Laugh Riot Festival XIII: Livin’ on Da Edge,” which runs in the Loeb Drama Center’s Experimental Theater from February 11 to 12, the troupe accomplishes a number of feats in less than twenty minutes. They create an intermission snack featuring AMP Energy Drink and Fiery Hot Cheetos, brainstorm a promotional video, and reinterpret the festival’s theme of ‘extreme feats.’

The festival’s director, Graham H. Lazar ’12, does the latter. “My understanding of the theme, or what I would like it to be, is that we are exploring the limits of human experience,” says Lazar, citing sky diving and living in a convent as two contrasting examples.

Though IGP normally performs in Fong Auditorium, which IGP’s Czar Benjamin W.K. Smith ’12 terms their “home court”, the troupe intends to make full use of the black box theater to create a theatrical experience while keeping the comedy thoroughly improvised. Last year’s festival featured planets hanging from the ceiling. This year’s decorations will be an opening night surprise.

Behind IGP’s spontaneity lies thoughtful consideration. Unlike most national comedy festivals, according to the members of IGP, Laugh Riot allows each visiting troupe two sets in order to make their journet worthwhile. IGP also offers a free workshop taught by a comedy professional. This year, Laugh Riot coincides with a national comedy festival at Skidmore College and thus certain troupes from years past will not be attending. However, there are two new additions to this year’s lineup: Dead Serious, a troupe from Wellesley College, and 8th Floor from Ohio State University.

“If you don’t like it you’ll get your money back,” producer Aneliese K. Palmer ’12 deadpans. If the intermission snack featuring AMP, IGP’s sole sponsor, and the promotional video spoofing the film “127 Hours” are not enticing enough, Palmer gives another reason to attend. “It’s between when you eat dinner and when you go out, so it’s not like you’re doing anything,” says Palmer. After the show, “you’re going to be much more excited for life,“ she adds. “Because it’s time for the parties,” chimes in Smith.