Harriers
From CarlWiki
The Harriers are an improv comedy group that performs longform improvisation. The Harriers were formed in Spring Term 1999 by Michael Barker '02, and used to perform the Harold, an improvisational longform popularized by Del Close, Charna Halpern, and Chicago's ImprovOlympic (now iO), exclusively, although the group quickly expanded into different types of longform.
The Harriers perform long-form style improvisation; meaning "forms" such as the Harold, the Mobius, and the Free Form are performed, rather than shorter game formats done by Cujokra . Scenes are connected by theme and narrative and connected storylines often go 20 minutes or longer. Long form scenes draw their humor from character relationships and situations, as opposed to short form that tends to "go for the joke."
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Harriers: A History
Michael Barker '02 had studied something resembling longform in high school, and wanted to continue to improvise. This combined with a temporary lull in ineteresting activity from Carleton's shortform improv group, Cujokra, was the impetus for founding Harriers. Besides Michael, founding members were Megan Orwig '02, Corey Lang '02, Sam O'Brien '02, Katie Stem '02, and Asher Miller '02. It was a fresh-person party, to be sure. Soon the group brought in Dan Diamond '02, Alex Starace '03, and Tom Adkins '03. This group performed as the Harriers for the first time on November 18, 1999. In 2000 A.D., the Harriers gleefully welcomed Todd Springer '02, Annie Michaelis '03, Sarah Allison '03, Max Stewart '03, Peter Fehrs '03, Seth Dolman '03, and Abra Brisbin '04. 2001 was boring. 2002 brought many challenges to the group, along with Matt Barnhurst '04 and Danny Mintz, '05. Harriers' most popular show was likely Harriers on Ice, where the "#1 fan" (Lani Grayson '01, John Neely '03) would throw a prize into the audience whenever a cast member slipped on the ice.
Harriers: The Next Generation
Late 2005 to 2006 saw a resurgence in popularity and fan base for the Harriers. The Harriers visited the Oberlin improvisation conference winter term 2005, and used the skills learned there to take their comedy to the next level. With newfound energy, ability, and the unmistakable talent of the senior members of the group, the Harriers quickly became a campus favorite, drawing unprecedented crowds. In January, The Harriers performed its first weekend of shows in Little Nourse Theater, filling the house to capacity each night and putting on three critically acclaimed shows. In February, the annual "Harriers on Ice" show was performed on the bald-spot rink, with special guest performers "Juggling Fish" juggling fire behind an improvised "Cube" form. The group now enjoys a distinctive fan base, attracting audiences who are interested in long-form, short-form, and sketch comedy. Far from the days of opening for other groups, The Harriers now headline their own shows. The group is widely considered by many to be the best of the three comedy groups on campus.
The Harriers Today
In 2006, the Harriers introduced the "Mobius" form- an improvised play beginning with the final scene, then working from the beginning to that end. This form has proven extremely popular with The Harriers' growing fan base. As well, Max Leibowitz (08) introduced the form, "Goon River," to the group, which has proved to be a successful opening form for shows. Current membership in the Harriers, as of spring 2006, is Darius De La Cruz (06), Jeff McDonald (07), Emily Ruff (09), Evan McMahon (08), Tom Weishan (09), Erin Feehan-Nelson (09), Jake Titus (06), Max Leibowitz (08), Alex Baum (06), Sarah Schillaci (06), and Elizabeth Liensch (08). Of note is the fantastic number of women in the troupe, rare in even professional groups.
If you attend a Harriers show, some reccurring things to look out for are birds being shot, Alex Baum smoking a cigarette, Fresca either being consumed or asked for, and Erin Feehan-Nelson dieing.
The Harriers, as well, make a fantastic big booty team, and will take all y'all down in Sholf.
External links
- harriersweb - Official site
(Out of date)
