Theatre Strike Force is taking “Relay for Life” into a completely different context.
Relay for Life is an annual event that raises money for the American Cancer Society. UF currently has over 40 teams that are registered and ready to relay, with TSF ranking as the second-largest team.
Every year, members of TSF, like myself, stay awake for at least 18 hours straight in order to raise money and awareness for cancer during the event. It turns relatively sane people into loopy messes of sleep deprivation, and yet people forge many new friendships in spite of that.
The actual event will take place on March 25, but TSF has a lot of fundraising to do in the meantime.
Before Relay takes place, TSF must first go through the rite of passage known as “12 Hours of Improv.” And yes, it’s as insane as it sounds.
The Orange and Brew, located on the ground floor of the Reitz Union, will be taken over this Friday by dozens of rowdy and eager improvisers from noon until midnight. Hopefully no one will be injured in the making of this marathon, but no promises.
Multiple groups of performers will fill the stage for 15- or 30-minute sets each. Audiences can see both short- and long-form improv all day long.
Better yet, nearly everyone in TSF will get a chance to shine on stage. Every class and performance team has a slot, as well as groups of friends that want to perform together and other groups from around Gainesville.
The last two hours of the night will be TSF’s short-form team in the Gator Nights performance slot.
The end of 12 Hours feels a lot like counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve: Everyone’s ready to celebrate.
It is completely free to sit in the Orange and Brew on Friday and get some studying done while you watch improv, but donations are highly encouraged. All donations will go toward TSF’s lump donation to the American Cancer Society at Relay for Life.
While all of that is going on, TSF’s varsity long-form team, The Sunday Group, will be travelling to Chicago to compete in the College Improv Tournament’s semifinals on Saturday. A live stream of the event will be broadcast online so that we can all get together to watch the team make Gainesville and TSF proud.
As always, feel free to send any questions, comments or feedback that you may have to gainesvillecomedy@gmail.com or comment below.
