2008 Woodie Awards
Work in Progress makes it up as they go
By: Jon Harris
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Entertainment & Features
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Staff Writer
Work In Progress had their beginnings at North Greenville University, but the group is catching momentum away from campus as well.
"We sort of already branched away from it by connecting with venues like The Gathering Place and The Channel. We also have done a couple of church events and a birthday party," said Britney Teie, NGU Alumni and member of WIP.
The Channel, a venue off Haywood Road, hosted WIP Thursday evening. The nine-person team began the fifth show of the semester with their singing game Do Run. They continued the night with a total of three sets and other games, such as Sound Effects, Party Quirks, Puppets, Blockbuster and 14 Carat Diamond.
"I love Whose Line Is It Anyway, but this is so much better," said Aaron Koenig, brother to WIP team member Jaime Koenig.
The current members of WIP are Matthew Martinez, Britney Teie, Colton Guffey, Matt Huff, Ben Porch, Cora Flottman, Tim Davis, Lydia Campbell, Harrison Swadley, Jamie Koenig, Andrew Turner, David Holland, Kim Dry, Brandon Blizzard and the newest addition, Patrick Thompson.
"Now that I am older and can actually go towards my dreams, improv is the best way to let out my creativity and the place to start if I want to write or do comedy … It's not just about being funny, it's about living life on stage, being creative and letting others be a part of it with you," said Colton Guffey.
Matthew Martinez, senior theatre, founded and formed the team over a year ago for his senior seminar project. Martinez debuted the Improv Team at Poetry Night and had a series of shows following the one-act festival in the fall semester of 2006.
The name of the group refers to improvisation, but Martinez said it also has hints of Christianity.
"Our focus should be on the process of our walk with Christ and not some theoretical end-point in the future. It has to do with a framework for a correct perspective," said Martinez.
WIP is a ministry that Martinez does not plan on leaving behind when he finishes his education at NGU.
"As of right now, I am in the process of finding out how to finalize WIP into a fully-realized theatre company so that we will be able to market ourselves to the church body both locally and nationwide," said Martinez.
WIP practices almost every weeknight and performs on a consistent basis.
"God has really shown up and provided venues and shows and experiences that I would have never experienced had it not been for improv," said Teie.
WIP performs the fourth Friday of every month at The Gathering Place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. They will be at the Channel again on March 20.
More information can be found at wipimprov.com or myspace.com/wipimprov.
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