March 2, 2011

News Release

Comedy Show Helps to Turn a Dream into a Reality for TISD Students

Card 53 Comedy Performance

Benefit Show for Choir and Theatre Students at John Tyler High School

Friday March 18, 2011

7:30 p.m.

Caldwell Auditorium

300 South College Avenue

Tyler, Texas

Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students

This is an improvisational comedy show provided by Card 53 Comedy to benefit the John Tyler High School Varsity Choir and Advanced Theatre students, and will help fund a trip for students who have qualified to perform in New York City. The commitment and hard work of these students will allow them to further their choral and theatrical experience and skills while in New York City.  The students will perform a classical and gospel concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral and present a medley of patriotic music at the pavilion at Lady Liberty.   The students will also attend Broadway Performance Classes directed by Broadway performers.  A visit to the Julliard School, one of the most prestigious performing arts conservatories, is also included. The students are working diligently to earn money and will be joined in their efforts by Card 53 Comedy.   

Card 53 Comedy is a short form “improv” comedy troupe located in Tyler.  The group started in 2009 when co-founders Aaron Smith and Jamey Whitley recognized a need for theatre at The University of Texas at Tyler. They started a theatre organization and performed an improv show because they did not have a budget.  They soon added friends Chris Pelton and Lukas Neubauer to the mix. The troupe’s chemistry and strong following led to three shows at UT Tyler as well as being asked to act as the emcee at the Greek Life Lip Sync contest.  Recently, Brad Johnson and RJ Norman joined the troupe.

Improv is theatre that is unscripted and completely made up on the spot.  Originally, improvisation was used as an acting technique for serious actors.  A typical Card 53 improv show consists of eight, 3-5 minute sketches or “games” where the audience is asked to give a suggestion such as a location, movie genre or emotion.  The actors will then make everything up on stage going off their instincts.  The most common example of improv is the hit T.V. show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

Photo (left to right): front row – Brad Johnson, Jamey Whitley, Aaron Smith;
back row – RJ Norman, Chris Pelton and Lukas Neubauer

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