Vote '04 Laughs:
O.U. Improv!'s "Vote '04 Laughs" was an astounding success!
O.U. Improv! (Obviously Unrehearsed Improv!) is busy making preparations for "Vote '04 Laughs," a one-of-kind Election Night Watch Party and Variety Show that will take place on November 2nd, 2004 in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave., on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus. "Vote '04 Laughs," will be held in the Union's Ballroom and is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm. The show will last until 1:00am or until the election is called… assuming we don't have a repeat of 2000.
"Vote '04 Laughs" will feature live entertainment provided by O.U. Improv! and special guests, TBA, in the form of sketch and improvisational comedy, music, and a truly unique interpretation and evaluation of the election coverage as it happens live. Entertainment will run 40-minutes of every hour, with a 20-minute intermission at the end of the hour. As always with O.U. Improv!, the audience will be part of the show, working with the players to create the ingredients for many of our games and activities. During specific games, members from the audience will have the opportunity to perform with the group on stage. "Vote '04 Laughs" will be a non-partisan event, meaning that all sides will be potential targets of humor and satire during the course of the evening. As a result, some material may not be suitable for all audiences.
Live coverage of the election results will be projected on a 9'x19' screen mounted at the back of the stage. There will be 2 other televisions in the Ballroom also providing uninterrupted news coverage. Seating will be banquet style with tables seating 8 each. There will be an extensive array of food and beverages for all tastes available to those attending arranged in a buffet style. Admission to "Vote '04 Laughs" will be $6.00 to the public, $5.00 for students. An additional $1.00 discount will be given to all attendees displaying proof of having voted, such as an "I Voted" sticker.
Eric Webb, O.U. Improv! at-the-time Manager/Administrative Coordinator was enthusiastic about the event: "We've never done anything on this scale before, but we are quite ready to show the world just what we can do, when given the opportunity to expand into new areas. I think we also have a fairly unique, if not original, concept here. The people that attend "Vote '04 Laughs' are going to be part of something truly special, and they won't have had to travel to Dallas, Chicago, or Los Angles. We're thrilled to be bringing this show to the fine people of this community."
Senior members of O.U. Improv! were also excited about this "first-ever" for the group. Law student, James Murray, said, "It will be a great opportunity to both respect and ridicule our electoral process." Additionally, the group hopes to maintain a focus of comical professionalism, entertaining without alienating. Biochemistry graduate student, Brandon Rahhal said, "I am excited about the opportunity to entertain, and still encourage people to participate in the democratic process."
Tickets can be purchased in advance at any of our upcoming shows, or can be reserved by phone or e-mail by contacting Marcy Fleming at (405) 413-0162 or at marcellarfleming@yahoo.com or Hillary LaReau at (405) 326-3311 or at hillarylareau@ou.edu.
In preparation for "Vote '04 Laughs" O.U. Improv! is getting involved in the electoral process. O.U. Improv! Manager/Administrative Coordinator, Eric Webb had the following to say: "Contrary to what some may assume, we take the privilege and duty of voting quite seriously and have some events planned during October to try and get people more excited about participating in the process." To that end, members of the group held three voter registration drives on campus only days away from the registration deadline, and succeeded in signing-up more than 100 college voters. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, O.U. Improv! will be working with other groups on campus to raise voter awareness and to encourage fellow students to exercise their rights and voice their opinion on November 2nd.
For more information contact Eric Webb at (405) 307-9769 or at ouimprov@ou.edu.
EXTRA: