Cedars, February 2019

by Lauren McGuire S tudents sometimes just need a chance to relax, laugh and forget their schoolwork, and DTR gives students that chance. The improv comedy group hosts sever- al shows and workshops per semester, their most famous show being “Sing, Dance, Laugh.” They have been bringing monthly shows to Cedarville free of charge since 2011. For Danae Dray and Bethany Priest, auditioning for a spot in DTR was an impulsive decision that brought them into a community they never expected to find. Priest didn’t think she was funny enough to get a spot on the team, but she auditioned anyway. “For some reason they let me in,” Priest said. When Priest and Dray joined the group during the spring of 2017, they didn’t know how much it would impact their lives. At first, they just saw it as a fun opportunity to try — they had no idea it would turn into something they would love doing long-term. Priest said the group dynamic is the most important el- ement of the organization. DTR is different from stand-up comedy — members don’t perform by themselves on stage with predeveloped material. Instead, the group works to- gether to make a group joke on the spot. The small, 11-mem- ber cast reaches the minimum member requirement to be considered an organization and, according to Priest, this allows them to work well together. “There is so much entertainment, especially comedy, that is not clean, that isn’t wholesome and isn’t allowing thoughts to be made and kept captive to Christ,” Priest said. Being a student is stressful, so DTR acts as a fun outlet for students to experience the good medicine of laughter. “Each time we go to have a show, we try to focus on how there could be someone here today who is just really having a rough time,” Dray said. “I definitely believe that God can really use laughter to just bring a little bit of joy into some- one’s life when they need it.” For Dray, DTR is a great break from the other things that are going on in everyday life. It allows her to keep an outlet to actively keep the creative abilities God has giv- en her, especially as she is an early education major. The community within the group of members produces lifelong friendships for those involved in the organization. They pray at practices and share prayer requests in a group chat. Since there are so few members in DTR, all the mem- bers can have the same vision for the org and are able to focus on the things that matter the most. “We always kind of joke that we are auditioning people to be our friends,” Priest said. Although it is partially just in good fun, the auditions for the group do go beyond whether a person has a good sense of humor. Priest said that while auditioning, the cur- rent members are confirming that someone will fit with the group dynamic. Auditions generally happen in the fall to give new members time to get accustomed to the commu- nity of the group. DTR blends different people from different majors to- gether. Both Priest and Dray said they find each member plays a vital role in the success of the group and that they function just as a family would. This tightknit org blends both laughter and seriousness together while working to- gether to bless the student body. The DTR’s next event is Sing, Dance, Laugh, a collab- oration with Ayo, the dance org, and The Inversions, the a capella org. This performance will take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22-23 in the Recital Hall. DTR is also planning another event for March. Lauren McGuire is a sophomore professional writing and information design major and writer for Cedars. She loves birthday cake ice cream, watching The Office and late night runs. February 2019 14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Take a Break Cedarville’s improv comedy group provides stress relief for students Photo by Kaleigh Smith Back row (Men) left to right: Kyle Semmelroth, Philip Gammie, Josiah Fragnito, Jake Tanner, Christopher Eldredge. Front row (Women) left to right: Danae Dray, Bailey Elizebeth, Elena Hein, Lauren “Lo” Ries, Bethany Priest, and Emily Entner.