Valentine’s Day Gets WITty

Conor Bellone, Staff Writer

The members of the Westford Improv Troupe.

The Westford Improv Troupe (WIT) is back in action yet again for a Valentine’s themed treat. The self proclaimed “group of goof ball disciples” have returned to the WA black box stage for another after school show of improvised puns, jokes and games.

WITentine’s, as it is called, is promised to make fun of bad dates, the famous (or some would say infamous) cupid and love itself.

“Prepare yourself to laugh. We don’t take ourselves very seriously…” said president of the group, Catherine Crimmins, to anyone thinking of coming.

President Crimmins was elected to her position in her senior year and has lead the crew of WIT through many shows, including HalloWIT for Halloween and WITmas for Christmas, and she spoke of how much preparation goes into the creation of these productions.

Meeting for an hour weekly, the rehearsals are comprised of an introductory improv game to warm up and the rest of the time is spent doing routines that may not have worked so well last show or ones that will strengthen the next one.

“There are games meant for show[s]… and there are games meant to strengthen your improv skills.” She said about the different activities that are done.

She also talked about several members of the WIT team, including new comer Caroline Burke and brothers Jack and Harry Laushine.

“Something runs in the Laushine family, something that makes them really really good at improv,” said Crimmins.

The Improv team also holds many well known names in Westford’s theater community: Michael Tricca, Kevin Bičiūnas, Maddie Ross, Daniel Wilson, Matt Doherty and Leah Donovan.

There’s an interesting dynamic is in place when it comes to improv shows. Nothing is set in stone for WITentine’s. All that’s assured is a Valentine’s theme.  As Crimmins summarized about improv: “… it’s off the cuff and you can’t do a whole lot of thinking and thinking can inhibit you from actually doing well…”

The cast is hoping the off the cuff improv will be a sweet treat for the audience. It’s a dollar at the door of the black box room and the Friday show goes from 2:10 to 2:58.