Improv America

Recently, I was introduced to the wonderfully hysterical acting/comedy group Improv Everywhere. I knew the moment I saw them (via youtube of course) that I had to include them in my blog, if for no other reason than to spread the love.
Over the course of my education career, I have become quite learned on America’s foundations as a puritanical theocracy, and the case has been made that these roots are still a major component of modern society. Some argue that perhaps this is for the better, and others believe quite strongly that America’s puritanical beginnings have only paved the way for the rebellious and inappropriateness of most of modern society’s culture. (I confess that I too have expressed my belief of the later criticism as well.) However, as I sat half transfixed and half doubled over in laughter while I watched and read about the many antics of Improv Everywhere, I couldn’t help but challenge my former opinions.
One of the aspects of American culture that always has and always will endear me to it forever is the immeasurable public response to challenging the more stringent codes of society that often inhibit, rather than improve us. From the Naked Cowboy roaming the streets of New York to more widespread organizations like Improv Everywhere, people are constantly speaking, singing, and acting out to call on us to embrace the silly side of life. In this form, society’s rebelliousness toward conservatism and introspection (which is characteristically Puritanical) is utterly refreshing. I only wish that more people would be open to ‘causing a scene’ like Improv Everywhere.

Check out some of these hysterical ‘pranks’ courtesy of Improv Everywhere:

http://improveverywhere.com/