On March 7, the Minneapolis-based BlackOut Improv Comedy group will stage a special performance in Alumni Hall from 7-8 p.m. This exciting, up-and-coming theatre troupe promises a show that strategically blends comedy and social justice, challenging viewers to think about serious issues rooted in our society today.
BlackOut, which features an all Black American cast, has staged multiple workshops and performances at colleges and charities across the nation, and the group’s unique presentations of social justice have proved to be as entertaining as they are thought-provoking and relevant.
“Their form of advocacy works through their created dialogues that represent truths and stories of the Black American lives that we are often blind [to],” Campus Activities Board Culture and Diversity Executive Miho Iguchi, who is involved in hosting the event, said. “Conversed and played in a comical improv performance, it definitely makes serious topics more approachable, and physically experiencing something as such through our own eyes would be different to read off something off a book.”
In fact, the group’s unique use of comedy to spark serious conversations about social issues is a large part of what gives its performances such startling originality. According to Professor of Theatre and Dance Michele Rusinko, this comedic touch may be what makes the group’s performances so effective.
“We [Theatre and Dance] helped support this because we believe in performance as a means of working toward social justice and we believe Black Lives Matter,” Rusinko said. “And, they are an improv comedy group — sometimes comedy is the best teacher.”
By hosting the BlackOut group here at Gustavus, the Campus Activities Board seems to be taking a fairly new and positive direction in terms of the kinds of events offered to the Gustavus community, according to Iguchi.
“Since CAB is a very entertainment-based organization, many serious events are often put aside of interest and importance, and it has been difficult to attract attention to conversations and discussions that need to be brought in light for many of our students on campus,” Iguchi said. “This event was rather a new approach. Inviting an improv group — particularly an all Black American cast group — is what I believe allows both that serious conversation and entertainment aspect to come together in place.”
While the performance promises to be a fun and engaging experience for those who attend, it is also hoped that the group’s presence on campus will help boost student attendance at events related to culture and diversity, which, as of right now, has been relatively low.
“The intersections of ‘serious’ and ‘fun’ is truly a bliss point that many of the organizations here on campus try to reach,” Iguchi said. “To be honest, it is not easy, and student attendance and engagement for events of culture and diversity in general on this campus are poor. In that sense, I think BlackOut is that bliss point that I’ve been looking for. Nothing is promised at this point, but as for now I am very lucky to have this opportunity and to have them on our campus.”
The show is open to the public and all Gusties are invited to attend. There will also be select BlackOut merchandise available for purchase on the day of the show for those who know of or wish to support the group. The Campus Activities Board strongly encourages everyone to come out and see this remarkable performance — to laugh, to think, and be challenged in a truly original way.