Cujokra
From CarlWiki
Cujokra is a short-form improv comedy group, the older brother of the Harriers. The group was founded in Winter Term of 1987. It currently has 8 members. They perform multiple shows each term, including a Screw Your Roomate, a show at the Libe during Reading Days, and additional shows for special events. Their style should be familiar to any viewer of Whose Line is it Anyway?. Cujokra made a film for DVD Fest 2006 entitled "Akward," although its comedic style is very different from that of the group's live shows.
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Format and Styles
Cujokra specializes in short-form improvisation, similar to the style of the popular television show "Whose Line is it Anyway?" Some of the more popular games in this form include "Party Quirks," "Scenes from a Hat," "Whose Line," and "Do Do Run Run." Short-form improv games run shorter than long-form games or "forms," and usually do not have any connected narrative. Games emphasize quick thinking and random ideas. Audience participation is encouraged, and often players for games will be chosen by audience members. Musical games are prominent; games such as "Do Do Run Run" and "Irish Drinking Song" are improvised musical numbers which emphasize rhyming to set musical arrangements.
Members
Cujokra is a selective group which holds annual auditions at the beginning of every academic year. In the Spring of 2006, the group was composed of nine members from all four class years. Senior members were Darius De La Cruz '06, Alex Baum '06, and Benjamin Hahn '06. Juniors were Kate Knutson '07, Elisha Hall '07, and Chris Watts '07. The lone sophomore was Max Leibowitz '08, and the group hailed three freshmen: Annelise Lawson '09, Tom Weishan '09 and Danielle Sumita '09.
Auditions are usually held in early September, and accepted members are subject to a highly secretive, dangerous initiation process. Notable alums include:
- Noah Tarnow '97, who went on to write for Rolling Stone and currently hosts The Big Quiz Thing in New York City.
- Peter Gwinn '93, currently a writer for The Colbert Report on Comedy Central
- Chris Carlson '92, performer at Brave New Workshop
- Alex Cambert '90, host of "Mas Vale Tarde" on Telemundo
History
Cujokra was founded in 1987 by Alex Cambert '90.
In 1997, Cujokra went head-to-head with the Macalester improv group in a contest judged by Mystery Science Theatre 3000's Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy. Each group "MST-ed" the other college's admissions video. Though Cujokra lost by a single point, they won in their hearts.
Annual Comedy Softball Game
In May 2006, Cujokra teamed up with fellow improvisers The Harriers to take on the Lenny Dee Players sketch comedy troupe in the first annual Carleton Comedy Softball Game. After a hard-fought seven inning game, Improv came from behind to beat Sketch 9-7. The game was highlighted by strong performances by Tom Weishan '09, Darius De La Cruz '06, "Diamond" Dave Holman '06, and Brennan Taylor '06. Game ball went to Alex Baum'06, staunch manager of the improv team.
Name Mystery
There has been much speculation as to the origins of the name "Cujokra." Many believe it is the third phase of the cresent moon cycle of Jupiter's sixth moon, Eurasia, but this has not been confirmed. The group maintains that "all you need to do is ask" and you'll get the right answer.
