Improv Team Q&A: Meredith VanSkiver

1. What bug are you?

“I’m a bumblebee.”

2. What is your favorite improv game? 

“My favorite improv game is probably debate. It’s where there are two debaters against each other, but they don’t know the topic that you’re trying to talk about. I’m usually the debater in that one, so it’s just really funny to voice when you don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

3. Tell me a story…

“There [are] so many good ones. I think our first practice was fun—we were all really scared because there were three returners, and we’re all scared to put ourselves out there and be vulnerable and funny. Everyone was being very reserved, and then Susan Toppen and I did a scene. We asked for a made-up product as a suggestion, and I don’t know what they said, but I misheard it as ‘vacuum shoes.’ So, then I did an entire scene about vacuum shoes. It was the first time that I was actually being funny and people were laughing. Now, it’s a big inside joke.”

4. Why does the show start at 7:33? Why not 7:32? Or 7:34?

“7:30 is just so predictable. It’s so generic; the Improv team is far from predictable and generic, so we picked a time that reflected that.” 

5. If you were a fast food chain, what would you be and why?

“I think I would be Biggby. It’s not really food— it’s coffee, which is actually better than food, but you can also still get food if you need it. It has everything you need, and it has the best of both worlds.”

6. What is your favorite Minecraft block?

“Diamond. Next question.”

7. Why did you decide to join improv?

“I actually was going to audition my sophomore year so that it would be during my junior year, but FHC Inspires was that night. So I said, ‘Oh, I’ll go to that instead. I won’t do improv,’ but then I ended up being friends with a ton of people on the team, and I just felt super bad. Then they said, ‘You can always try out next year,’ so I got to come and watch one of their practices for Improv After Dark. It was so cool. I tried it, and it was just a super stress-free, fun environment. I didn’t even know if I was going to make the team; it was just fun to audition. Now here I am, having a ball and having a blast.”

8. Give us your best car salesmen pitch for improv.

“Have you ever been stuck on your own on a Saturday, in your bed, wallowing in depression and homework, scrolling through Instagram and seeing all of your other classmates having fun and doing stuff? Have no fear— that could be you having fun and doing stuff. If you are bored and alone on Saturday the 28th, don’t be! Come to Improv at 7:33 pm at the Fine Arts Center! We will have fun and we will be your friends.”