9 and Numb aim to be funny on spot
Imagine being up on stage, in front of an audience of people expecting to get a funny show and being able to come up with a humorous skit based on a scene and one word.
This is exactly what 9 and Numb, an NDSU formed impromptu comedy group, does every time it performs.
9 and Numb has about seven current members on its team and performs at least twice a month.
“We do shows for proms, PRACS, at the Red Raven and other events,” said Chris Ziniel, a senior in Philosophy and 9 and Numb member.
Ziniel said the group started about three years ago and is just a small part of a larger group.
“There is a group in Grand Forks, N.D., Tampa, Fla. and possibly a new group in Las Vegas,” Ziniel said.
Ziniel also said they meet twice a week and practice for two hours each time.
Certain rules have to be followed in order for the show to run smoothly, Ziniel said.
“Yes and” is one rule that is set up to prevent one member from stumbling.
Ziniel said that by using the “yes and” rule members have to accept what someone says and add on to it. This prevents dead spots from occurring during the show and keeps the members going.
“Comedy in threes” is another rule used to keep audiences laughing.
“Having at least three members on stage at a time usually keeps things really funny,” Ziniel said.
Common skits 9 and Numb perform includes Freeze Tag, where a scene is decided and two members have to perform a dialogue based on a word the audience shouts out.
They must keep going until another member yells freeze and taps them on the shoulder.
The audience selects a new word and the next two continue.
Other skit names include “party quirks,” “dub” and “good, bad and ugly advice.”
Ziniel said not every show runs smoothly though.
“It takes a lot of creativity, teamwork and trust that your team won’t let you fall on your face,” Ziniel said. “It’s guaranteed that at least two out of three scenes will completely not work.”
To help prevent on-stage fumbles, Ziniel said members of 9 and Numb warm up before each show.
“We do warm up games and energy games,” Ziniel said. “It helps us get in the right mindset.”
Every scene is made up completely off the top of each member’s head.
“When it doesn’t work, the only way to get around it is to work through it and trust each other,” said Matt Kelly, a junior in theater arts and a member of 9 and Numb.
Most shows consist of five group members and one emcee; however, Ziniel said it varies by show.
Current members include Ziniel, Kelly, Max Besner, Bill Lies, Joseph Geinert, Adrienne Kenneweg and Krissy Hibard.
“Performing is the best part, everything from the audience to the people in the troop,” Kelly said.
Ziniel said the group is currently working on a new show called “sketch comedy” where the scenes are actually put together ahead of time; however, the group is still working on it.