From Second City to Sterling: Sterling High graduate follows love of improv
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| Courtney Hummel (right), a Sterling High School graduate, is a member of the Jessica improvisational comedy group that will perform April 9 at the The Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge in Sterling. Also pictured (from left) are Nikhil Gahlawat, Lindsey Finn and Leo Garcia. |
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STERLING – Courtney Hummel has used improvisational comedy to make people laugh since she first saw an improv performance team when she was a junior at Sterling High School.
The 28-year-old former Sterling resident knew she wanted to be on stage after watching an improv group of University of Wisconsin-Madison students years ago at the Historic Dixon Theatre. It was then that she first discovered Second City, a world-famous comedy theatre and school of improvisation that has been a part of the Chicago comedy scene for the past 50 years.
Hummel graduated from Illinois State University in 2004 with a major in mass communication. She moved to Chicago in summer 2006 to pursue her dream and has trained at Second City and the Chicago iO Improv Theater.
In April, Hummel will perform at Starlight’s Theatre and Lounge in Sterling. She will be joined by the other three members of the Jessica improv troupe: Lindsey Finn, 26, of Boston; Leonardo Garcia, 28, of Miami; and Nikhil Gahlawat, 27, of Hudson, N.H. Hummel said the troupe is named after the group’s source of inspiration.
“The name came from our coach,” Hummel said. “We all met in her class and she has been our coach for the past 3 years. She’s a big influence on us.”
Next month’s performance is a collection of scenes written by the team’s four members. The event will feature an hourlong series of sketches, followed by a 15-minute improv sketch based on an audience suggestion.
Before performances, Hummel said she and her teammates spend time together backstage talking and motivating each other.
“A lot of it is trust,” Hummel said. “We do high-energy exercises like jumping up and down to get our energy going. You just trust in your teammates. Whatever happens, they have your back.”
Hummel attributes her success to working with people she finds funny and enjoys being on stage with.
For the rest, “training takes you where you need to go,” she said.
Join in on the laughs
The Jessica improv troupe will perform at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge, 314 First Ave., Sterling. Tickets are $5.
