The members of Scatterbomb were divided into two groups for this year’s performance, allowing them to practice more effectively and gain a closer bond with each other. JASON MATUTE / COURTESY
Erioluwa Akin-Salami, Contributor
Scatterbomb, Manhattan University’s improv club, hosted its first performance of the fall semester last Friday. The theme was “workforce,” and the members, all of whom came dressed up as different professions to embody the theme, put in the work to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The Quadrangle interviewed members of the club about their first event of the season, including the club’s new president.
Jason Matute, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, has been a member of Scatterbomb for three years, and this semester stepped into the position of president. The club is growing rapidly, as Matute shared with The Quadrangle, leading the team to develop a new method of performing to accommodate its larger size.
“We have a really big group now, around 23 people,” Matute said. “We divided them in half so we could have two random groups and use that to have people practice within their group for them to have a better chance to connect and bond with each other.”
Matute went on to express how the group has exponentially increased in size since he first joined, and because of this growth, Scatterbomb was able to establish its first fully-staffed E-board.
“When I joined my freshman year, there were just four people in the club,” Matute said. “This year, we have roughly 12 to 14 new members, therefore, an E-board is needed.”
Giada Dougherty, a sophomore communication major and the public relations manager for Scatterbomb, emphasized how bonds with her new castmates help with performances, using her own experience as an example.
“I was in a good number of scenes with my good friend Nick Melendez,” Dougherty said. “This was his first show, and he initiated a scene with me and for someone new, that takes a lot of guts. He did it and executed it flawlessly.”
Dougherty further told The Quadrangle about the community within Scatterbomb and how heartwarming it is to see how people interact with one another.
“My favorite part is not even from the show,” Dougherty said. “After the show, seeing the members and everyone’s friends that came out for the show congratulate them, especially with all the new people; seeing people go up to them and give them compliments, it’s encouraging not just ego-wise but it also makes you have more confidence that your ideas are funny and good.”
This semester, Jason Matute stepped into the role of president of Scatterbomb after having served as a member for three years. JACK ALCOCK / COURTESY
Dougherty also shared her appreciation for the audience.
“We want to do more things for the audience moving forward,” Dougherty said. “Because our audience is the most important part. Without an audience, we can’t perform.”
Antonio Coffaro, a sophomore majoring in computer engineering, has been a member of the club for two years. Coffaro also showcased an appreciation of the club’s audience and the community within Scatterbomb.
“My favorite part of Friday’s show was hearing the audience laugh,” Coffaro said. “I also enjoyed performing alongside my friends.”
Moreover, Coffaro shared his opinions about the first show of fall with The Quadrangle.
“I thought the performance went really well overall,” Coffaro said. “If there’s something I’d like to improve, it would be having even more ideas come to mind in the moment while on stage—the more creative we are, the more energy we can bring to the show.”
As they look towards the rest of the year, Scatterbomb has been invited to perform at a Comedy Club in the city on Oct. 15, less than two weeks from now. As for their next on-campus gig, the club’s next performance is scheduled for Oct. 17, and the theme is still to be decided. Look out for more information about these events on Scatterbomb’s Instagram page, @scatterbombmu.