SLO Comedy

Cal Poly’s very own "Smile and Nod" comedy improv team took the stage on Feb. 8 to welcome lights, laughter, and now, lyrics. Adding on to their comedic improvisation, the team performed their very own on-the-spot musical, with spontaneous songs, dialogue, plot lines and choreography. Using nothing but impulsive piano melodies and instinctual harmonies, the unexpected storyline of a medical center on the beach, lost memories and an uncertain evil, was brought to life. The images below capture the exhilarating energy of improv while also depicting the realism of performance. The team banded together to create a one-of-a-kind performance, to prove once again that the funniest stories are often the ones made up on the spot. The team's improvised choreography during an impromptu song Team Member, Colin Elman, playing the piano  An audience member and  performer, Ruby Intner, hugging after the show The audience applauding after an improvised song Grace Bennett depict...

In a small, comfortably lit lecture hall that neighbors the performing arts center, a group of Cal Poly students step into the light that shines from above them.  These comedians embrace the audience with no scripts and no plans, but with a vision for laughter and community.  Smile and Nod is a student-led improv comedy team at Cal Poly that aims to create sketches from crowd suggestions and impromptu actions. "Improv is an opportunity for people from all majors and age groups to just come together and bond over comedy," said Isaiah Covarrubias, a first-year on the team. By letting everyone in the room have a part in the show, the team highlights the importance of maintaining a relationship with both each other, and the audience. From “Summer Camp Murder Mystery” to “The Heroes vs. Villains”, Smile and Nod’s themed show nights target public interests and common comedy tropes while adding an individual flare.  Smile and Nod's logo projected above their stage set-up The qui...