DeByeBye

Hey everyone,

My name is Jordan Lange and this was my last year on DeBono Improv troupe. I just wanted to share a couple of private thoughts/goodbyes on a public blog, because that just makes sense. Grab a tissue and settle in.

I joined DeBono my sophomore year, since I was so set on getting into an acapella group my freshman year, I had never really considered it an option. But after a year of watching hilarious Monday night improv and a suggestion from Jaime, I decided to try out. I was thrilled to find I'd made both DeBono and Spicy Clamato, a prestigious short-form group on campus. I remember meeting Amy Leahy in Spicy auditions and having her be my guide through my beginning weeks of DeBono. That first year I learned SO MUCH from the elder members, including Jill, Simeon, Amy, Michael and Robby. I thank you all so much for teaching me the ways of DeBono improv.

Improv quickly became my passion, love, and main activity on campus. Something about the art of improvised comedy is pure, raw, and unaltered, and that's what makes it so much fun. Pulling old characters out and brushing off the dust and just having fun. Coming up with quick one-line puns. Flopping around on the floor in the name of physical comedy. Even best of all, bringing up a call-back or concluding two story lines nicely together. For those of you still in DeBono: savor every day you have left at the University of Illinois. As people before me have said, and I'll reiterate: the experience you have in DeBono is rare. Improvising in a group of friends for 4 years really allows you to get to know your team. Not to mention the environment of group learning and fun. Improv after college is not always like that. 

I have a few things to say to all the members of DeBono this year. You all have been amazing and helpful to me in your own ways. I've learned things about you all and about myself. Thank you all so much!!

Jaime Lemens
You've been in DeBono almost as long as I have and I've seen you grow immensely as an improviser. Your characters are always energetic and full of life, giving an immediate spark to any scene you're in. You are by far the bravest and boldest improviser I know, always ready to step out and edit when needed. That is a crucial aspect to have as an improviser! Any improv troupe would be lucky to have you up in Chicago.

Brendan Sweeney
Oh Sweeney, where do I even start? You have the funniest sense of humor of anyone on campus. The way that you bring current events and ideas into improv really makes it easy for the audience to relate. Also, your third-scene ability is impassable. You say some of the best random shit sometimes, I could never come up with. Improvising with you is always a treat because I never know where the scene will end up, but I know it will end up being hilarious! *slap* OOOOHHH!

Nick Dietrich
I have no worries about DeBono next year because I know that they are in good hands. You are a rock solid scene partner who is extremely supportive and incredibly creative. Your rhyming in songs is the best of anyone on the troupe and your antagonists are still some of the best to date. I've loved watching you grow as an improviser, and your knowledge more than surpasses mine at this point. Rule DeBono harshly and with an IRON FIST!!! ;)

Julie Brady
My God. I knew from last year that we were getting an incredible accompanist, but I had no idea HOW incredible. Your guitar and improv music skills have been sharpened to a lethal face-melting point over these past years. Keep up the amazing work and think more about throwing yourself into scenes and musicals. Because your skill doesn't end at guitar, your improv is stunning as well. You are an irreplaceable asset to DeBono! Keep rocking :D

Clare Cutler
Sadly, you were not here for my last semester in DeBono, which I'm still trying to forgive you for. You are going to be VERY important in DeBono next year. Even last semester, I saw you stepping out more, creating so many good ideas and blooming as a leader in the group. Continue that trend, please. You have the funniest responses in scenes and always know how to support someone without question. I cannot wait to see what you can do next year because I know it'll be great!

Kimi Arquines
Kimi. If you ever come back from Disney World (you'd better), DeBono will benefit greatly. You are such a musical genius and AMAZING singer. You've got so much lyrical sense, its nuts and you know how to blow peoples' minds with it. I've seen you improve in improv immensely, and you are so freaking funny. I missed you a lot this semester and will make sure to come back and visit next year. I know I will be blown away! (p.s. Let's watch some Simpsons)

Jessica Shyrock
My dear Jessica, I was elated to be on DeBono with you. You took such a quick knack to improvising, and SINGING improv as well. You have an incredible piece sense, knowing where the piece should go and how to get there, which is an immense ability. Being in scenes with you is a delight. I always love seeing you come up with funny ideas that make me say "why didn't I think of that?". DeBono will benefit greatly next year with you on it, I don't have a worry in the world. Keep learning and teaching!

Terrance Rogers
I had an excellent feeling when we took you on DeBono this year. I was proved right. You are such a smart and talented improviser that I've enjoyed watching and improv-ing with! Your scene partner skills are unmatched, as you always support your partner to the fullest. You've helped bring DeBono to a whole new level this year. In the upcoming years, absorb as much as you can and teach others. You will be a fantastic leader, I know it. Keep DeBono close to your heart.

David Naber
I know an acting man when I see one, and you, my good sir, are an acting man. I am always blown away by your characters and your accents. Your physicality and energy on stage always make me laugh. I've seen you go from newbie to taking charge of an entire musical, which is AWESOME!! Keep expanding your character set and sharing your knowledge with others. Enjoy being on stage because that is where you thrive. DeBono needs you, and I'm glad you are going to be around for awhile :)

I'm just a dude, but that's what I think about you guys and your improv. You're all freakin awesome. TOO AWESOME!!! DeBono will live and rock on next year without a hitch. You've got this locked down! Thank you for everything you do. Improv has been my life on this campus, and you guys made it all worth living.

And a short note to everybody NOT in DeBono reading this: Thank you! If you ever came to a show, watched a practice, saw a video, liked our page, followed our Twitter, or read a blog: THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I do improv because it makes me happy, but making you guys laugh sure makes it a hell of a lot better.

I suppose I don't have much else to say before I am a DeBoner Emeritus except one cheesy thing: Say "yes, and" to life. Accept what life gives you and then put in more effort to make it better. Then do a sweet ass duet with life, because Julie has been playing for about a minute. 

Farewell, and keep livin' on a prayer.

From my left to yours, I've been Jordan! Goodnight!

Second Place at CIT

Hey there everyone! Jordan here talking about the weekend DeBono just had in Indianapolis. As some of you may know (and as some of you are about to find out) DeBono travelled to the College Improv Tournament Lower Midwest Regionals this past Saturday (Feb 16th) to compete in a nation-wide improv competition. I'll give you the skinny on our weekend.

We left at about 5 pm on Friday and drove to our hotel. The trip was fun, we had a mix of songs that everyone got to contribute, too. Actually, hearing those songs really made me realize what musical diversity we have in our group. It can only be a good thing :) After checking in, we met up with our sister, Spicy Clamato, to grab some late dinner at Steak and Shake in what should have been an hour-long affair. I won't get into it, but finding/being turned away from/finding another S&S was a maddening experience.

MOVING PAST THAT, we played a staple group game that night called "Things" where one person names a category like "What's the first thing you would do as president" and then everyone answers on a piece of paper, and the category-guy has to guess whose answer was whose (also could be played as a drinking game!). After that we were tired and slept (mostly) the rest of the night away.

The NEXT day, Saturday, was the big day. Arrived at noon for an all-teams meeting about the day's format. DeBono was in the first round of 4 at 1 pm. We did REALLY well with the suggestion of "Ketchup", and using a new opening we developed, we created a wonderful story about a food critic and a newlywed couple. Our performance was good enough to advance us to the finals round at 10 pm! SO PUMPED!!

We spent the rest of the day resting, watching all the other rounds of improv and eating dinner. To be brutally honest... it was hard to watch so much improv. To quote Liam from Spicy Clamato "I'm watching this improv, and I know its funny... but I'm just not laughing. I feel like a dick". Yes Liam. Pretty much.

10 pm rolls around and after a light meal of chicken and waffles, we headed back to Comedysportz for the final round! Everyone did great, although I think everyone's afternoon set was better (a long day of improv and energy can really take it out of you). Our second suggestion was "Ice cream scoop" and we rocked a tasty jam about an Ice cream shop in the desert. Fantastic job. Everyone else gave great sets! And we ended up getting second place! SO PROUD!

So on to some shoutouts: Thanks so much to the members of DeBono! You guys rocked the house! Spicy Clamato, we had a great set, and I had so much fun doing improv with you fupas! Shoutout to Improv Mafia on winning the regional, you truly are amazing improvers :) And finally, a big thank you to CIT Producers Keith and Ricky, along with the rest of the team, and Comedysportz theater for being such great hosts!

That's all for now! Make sure to keep/start coming to our shows... I hear rumors of some crazy stuff coming up in the near future... ;)

MUCH LOVE! - Jordan

The Beat Box

If you have been to a DeBono Show any time in the last two years, you have probably seen something we like to call the beat box. It's a really catchy little game we like to play to get the audience warmed up. Some days, It may be my favorite part of the show. When the team is really listening to each other, there are some really hilarious moments, as well as moments that actually sound musically interesting.

For most of the Beat Boxes past, Jaime has been the conductor. Occasionally someone else like Nick will give it a shot, but mostly Jaime is the one who makes the calls. Though, she always looks like she has so much fun that I wanted to give it a try. Last Show was my first time conducting a beat box live and I'd like to share my insights with you... will you let me? Really? Awesome!

What does It take to conduct a beat box?

It takes energy. If you are boring then the people you are conducting are going to be bored and look away from you. Though the team should have their eyes glued to the conductor at all times, sometimes they slip. When that happens it makes it really hard to silently signal what they are supposed to do. 

It also takes patience. The most frustrating part of the beat box is waiting for everyone to find a part and build in. We have between seven and nine people usually in our beat boxes and that means it takes seven to nine cycles through the little sound bite to make sure everyone is participating. I also almost always speed up the group the moment everyone is in.

It takes a good ear. Bringing people into the beat box can be difficult if you can't keep rhythm with your body. The group takes the tempo off of not only the most percussive voice, but most importantly the conductor. You have to be able to speed up and slow down your body without getting off beat. This is incredibly important because if one of the voices fails, then you are still the rock of rhythm. 

Finally, it takes a little bit of malicious intent. What's the fun of having all of the power if you aren't going to abuse it at all? I mean come on. If you had to power to make people yell, whisper, sing really high and really low, wouldn't you want to use it? Variety is the spice of the beat box and nothing is more fun that watching a team mate push their voice to the edge in the name of comedy. 

So now that I've given you a little taste of what goes on in my head while I'm conducting, you should watch some of our awesome beat boxes from this semester! (You can also check out our freeze games and full musicals on our youtube channel).

Suggestion: Jumbalaya 

(only a 4 person beatbox!) Suggestion: Twinkie

Suggestion: Caramel

Also, If you think it's weird that we've done food suggestions most times... we think so to. You guys are in charge of whatever we do! Remember you can say anything you want. So come to next show with some CRAZY ideas and see if we can handle them. I bet you'll be surprised!

Remember we perform EVERY monday for FREE at 8:00 in the Illini Union. Bring your friends!

xoxo,

Jessica

WOAH! It's been a while since there's been a post, but don't you worry because DeBono has still been hard at work. Not only have we been preparing for our weekly monday night shows (Free in the Union at 8:00) but, we have been preparing for our big competition!

The Collegate Improv Tournament is right around the corner and DeBono has some changes planned. We will be performing on February 16th in INDIANAPOLIS! If you feel like making the drive, feel free to come out and support us as well as all of the other teams. Last year we made it to the finals, but we didn't make it to nationals. This year, we are back with a mission. That mission is to put on the best Improv Musical to date!

But, if you don't believe how much we've been working, check out some of our videos. Ever since we got a camera, we've been so excited to play around with it. Check out one of our Monday Shows!

Final Show of 2012: