At midnight, enthusiastic comedy-seekers head to Overton Square. The hour may seem late to some, but for the people at FreakEngine Improv the night is just getting started.
The show, which lasts until 2 a.m. some nights, only happens on the first Friday of every month at TheatreWorks at 2085 Monroe Ave. in Midtown.
While it's typically $5 for at ticket at the door, Friday's show features a buy-one, get-one-free deal for its back-to-school show. Students must show a valid school ID for the special.
Michael Entman, the founder of FreakEngine and a University of Memphis alum, said the show itself is comprised of "spontaneity and audience participation."
"Our goal is not just to make people laugh but to have fun laughing," he said. "If someone is sitting in their seat quietly laughing, then we haven't done our job."
Currently, the show itself is a series of improvisation games performed by the cast. Students who have seen the comedy show "Whose Line is It Anyway?" on TV will have an idea of what will happen.
They have to come up with a comedy sketch on the fly-no preparations, no script-with parameters set by the audience.
"You have an idea but seeing it live-unedited, uncensored-is totally different," Entman said. "We try to have an intelligent show. It's just a lot of fun."
The show brings anywhere from 60 to 150 people per month, according to Entman.
Audience participation is a strong possibility. Some games require audience members to say the first thing that comes to their mind. The troupe will then try to make sense of whatever they said on stage. Others may require people to be props in the act.
"If we need a chair, you'll be our chair," Entman said.
FreakEngine recently celebrated its 16th anniversary. It started in 1997 with a focus on performance art. Entman said the improvisation portion was only filler for the show, but it evolved.
"Improv took over the show," he said.
Shakeira Adams, who graduated from the U of M with a degree in theatre, performs with FreakEngine every month.
"Imagine hanging out with your best friends, making them laugh and doing it for a living," Adams said. "You're making everyone laugh. You're making light of realistic and unrealistic situations. It keeps you on your toes."
In one game the troupe plays, cast members interview two audience members then enact what they think would happen on a blind date between the two.
During another game, aptly named Sounds Like A Song, performers act out a scene until someone rings a bell. After the bell, the performer has to sing the last thing he or she said.
"I've seen it last as long as five to seven minutes," Adams said.
Drawing from its beginnings, FreakEngine also incorporates guests who focus in other performance art.
"We love to have special guests," Entman said. "We'll give anyone the stage for 15 minutes-read a poem, play a guitar. You get a receptive audience."
Adams noted the wide array of artistic talent that has been, and can be, featured at FreakEngine. "Musicians, comedians, magicians, burlesque dancers, professional dancers - we've had just about everything," she said.
