O.U.I.

Obviously Unrehearsed Improvisation (OUI) is a “hodge-podge of people from all over the school [that] form a troupe,” said Artistic Director Kyle Bradford. The University of Oklahoma Student Association (UOSA) funds this student organization, along with about 400 others. Next year, OUI will be experiencing budget cuts from UOSA, and the room they perform shows in will be increasing their rent.

Bradford says the troupe could perform anywhere, anytime, but their loyal fans have been showing up to the same room at the same time on Saturdays for the past ten years. OUI is looking to team up with the activity council to put on shows. If this is the case, they will have to limit the amount of shows they put on from the regular three a semester to three a year.

According to OUI’s webpage, the organization began with seven of friends recreating games from the TV show ‘Whose Line is it Anyways?’ about ten years ago. The group put on monthly shows out of their house, but soon grew to 50 people showing up to watch. The ‘troupe’ became a student organization at the University of Oklahoma in 2004 and hosting shows at The Oklahoma Memorial Union, where they have continued to hold shows up until this semester.

Most of the students at OUI have majors in something other than theater, which is unusual for an improv. group. Those that don’t have theater majors say that the experience has been a confidence booster, and has changed them for the better.
“Not that I was shy before…but I will literally do anything in front of a group of people now,” said Botany Sophomore Jordy Branum. Aside from expanding each of the troupe member’s personalities individually, they have become a close group of friends. “I want to come back and see them after they’ve grown some more and just have my mind blown and [then] jump on stage and improv. with them some more,” said Senior Ian Keegan.

In preparation for the budget decrease, Bradford has come up with unique ideas for raising money. Aside from joining with OKC Improv. to put on shows next semester, Bradford jokingly thought about making a sexy calendar with the troupe. “We’ve been thinking of making a sexy fireman calendar of the OU Improvisers wearing scantly clad outfits, when we’re mostly pasty, white people,” said Bradford. “It’s going to look really funny.”







(VIDEO: Kelsey Hightower TRT: 1:53)