The cast of Scatterbomb enters in a funeral procession to fit their theme,
‘Love is Dead.’
LEYLA MERCADO / THE QUADRANGLE
Leyla Mercado & Barbara Vasquez, A&E Editor & Production Editor / Web Editor
Manhattan University’s student improv group Scatterbomb held their first show of the semester last Friday with performances that were to die for.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the show took on the theme “Love is Dead.”
Scatterbomb performers entered Hayden 100, where the show took place. The performance began with a funeral procession, with the members dressed in all-black and some even carrying a makeshift casket. After introducing the theme of the night, the performers opened the floor to the audience to shout out words to center scenes around.
“If something triggers a thought and you think it’s a good story, you go for it,” Jack Devaney told The Quadrangle, when asked about how performers pick the words they start the show with. “Sometimes you have to think, ‘this reminds me of this, which reminds me of this’ because some of the words are really out there, but we do that to prove to the audience that we’re not making any of it up, that it’s all on the spot.”
Devaney seemed to be a fan favorite with his creative punchlines and connection to the audience before him. Audience members recognized him as the most memorable part of Scatterbomb’s first performance.
Sanjana Salem, a junior communication major who attended the show, shared with The Quadrangle how impactful Devaney’s performance was.
“Jack Devaney, he made it for me,” Salem said. “I think he was very relatable and he was able to take on the stage as if he was talking to his friends and I loved that. I know Jack and he’s just like that in-person as well, so I think his performance really reflected his personality.”
Devaney, a sophomore philosophy major, has been in his fair share of performances with the improv group. Some of the newer members, like freshman Antonio Coffaro, have been with the group for less time, but enjoy their membership all the same. Coffaro joined in the fall following the university’s club fair.
“For me, it’s the community,” Coffaro said when asked why he decided to join the group. “When I went up to the improv stand [at Scatterbomb’s club fair table], I told my little joke, and got a little eraser, so I thought this would be a loving and very supportive community. I really enjoy being myself around here.”
Lucia Kobayashi, a junior political science major and Scatterbomb performer, agreed with Coffaro’s sentiments.
“The first show is always super nerve wracking and it’s so scary, but exactly like Antonio said, after a while you get comfortable with it and everybody in it, and that’s what’s really cool about it,” Kobayashi said. “It gets rid of stage fright very well.”
Being an improv show, Scatterbomb relies on a good audience. For Scatterbomb president Chayse Martino, the bigger the better.
“Honestly it’s easier with a big audience,” Martino said. “If there’s more people, there’s going to be more laughs, more noise and more involvement with the audience, and it definitely takes the nerves away. It disrupts the whole ‘we’re on stage and they’re watching us,’ thing, and it turns into us all experiencing the show together.”
Even viewers understand the value of a dynamic audience. Cara Loganadhan, a junior global business and finance major, has been attending Scatterbomb shows since her freshman year.
“I think when there’s a lot of people laughing and having a good time, it just makes it more enjoyable, because you even start laughing at people in the crowd,” Loganadhan said.
Salem agreed with Loganadhan’s sentiment, speaking on how attendees were given more than just a collection of good jokes and laughter.
“Scatterbomb left me with a really nice view on college itself,” Salem said. “Having these performances increases my mood and I love that. It makes my college experience a lot better. I want to go to a performance that lets me forget about everything and lets me focus on the moment…I like unpredictability and I very much enjoyed the show.”
Vivian Nartey, a junior communication major also touched on what she expected to see coming into the show and the experience she left with.
“I didn’t know much else other than to wear pink and red,” Nartey said. “I’ve been to the show a couple times before, so I know that it’s really funny and everyone is really talented so I had that expectation coming in. I would say after, I was very impressed with the show today. I thought it was very well done.”
Nartey went on to speak about the effect Scatterbomb had on her.
“I just really like how they have fun with it and I think that’s a good reminder to remember to have fun yourself,” Nartey said. “I’d say that’s what they did that inspired me. I’d definitely come back, it’s a fun environment to be in.”
Scatterbomb will soon announce their next show via Instagram @scatterbombmu.