No one — including the cast on stage — is quite sure what will be in store for audiences during this year’s first Beckwith Theatre performance Friday.

The Dowagiac community theater will host “Yet Another Night of Improv” that evening at its playhouse, located downtown at 100 New York Ave. The night of improvisational comedy begins at 7 p.m. with a family-friendly show, with a show for mature audiences only beginning at 8:30 p.m.

There is no cost to attend, though patrons are encouraged to make a donation of $5 at the door. A cash bar will also be open during the performance.

No reservations are required to attend the performance. Seating will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In comparison to traditional performances at the theater, the action in Friday’s show is completely unscripted. The nine actors will instead be asked to come with performances on the fly, based off a list of “games,” or scenarios, selected by the show’s host.

Audience participation is also a main feature of the show. Throughout the night, the host will ask the crowd for ideas, and a few people may even be asked to come on stage to join in on the act.

“During a normal performance, the actor’s world ends at the edge of the stage,” said James Huffman, who will serve as the host Friday. “However, during Friday’s show the action could possibly spill into the audience.”

In the same sprit, the atmosphere inside the theater will be lighter than usual. The theater lights will remain up throughout the night, and audience members will be free to leave their seats whenever they want to.

The show is the third annual performance by members of the theater’s improv comedy troupe. The first group was first brought together in 2015 by Huffman and fellow Beckwith actor Ryan Murray, who came up with the idea of hosting a comedy night at the theater to help bring in some revenue before the theater kicks off its season in spring, Murray said.

“Unfortunately for us, the first show went extremely well,” Murray said.

The actors said that their initial performance had nearly filled the entire theater, with only a few seats left unoccupied. They expected a sophomore slump during their show the following year — only to find demand higher than ever, with a standing room only audience.

“The last two years we had more people attend than we could hope for,” Huffman said. “We are hoping to see people standing on each other’s shoulders for Friday’s show.”

People can also book the Beckwith improv troupe for private functions. For information, people may contact the theater at (269) 782-7653 or
info@beckwiththeatre.com.