The Throng
The Throng is Haverford College's longform improv comedy group, established in 2000. The leadership of the group is divided such that there is no central leader; members share directing and administrative responsibilities. Rehearsals are twice a week for two hours, and the group performs approximately 5-8 times per semester, both on campus and off. While some of inductees have prior acting and improv training, many begin improvising with The Throng, exercising their natural talent and passion for spontaneous collaborative creation. Open auditions are held every fall semester.
Originally called the Sketchy Players, The Throng came to its senses and changed its name to 'The Throng' in 2003. The Throng has chosen to focus on longform exclusively, creating its own brand of comedy in the process, and has begun to incorporate occasional outside coaching into the rehearsal process. Most shows are performed in Lunt Basement, usually lasting about an hour. A number of Throng-ites have gone on to pursue improv after Haverford; this formidable list includes Alexis Simpson with Rare Bird Show and Illegal Refill; Nicholas Mirra, Scott Sheppard, and Zack Grunau with Illegal Refill; Chris Conklin with Mister Diplomat; and C. Lemar McLean with Upright Citizens Brigade.
In recent years, The Throng has become active in both local and national improv scenes, performing at the Dirty South Improv Festival in North Carolina, the Philadelphia Improv Festival, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Penn State University, and here and there in the Philadelphia area. In the past, The Throng has performed with such professional groups as Dillinger (UCBNY), The Shoves (UCBNY), 1985 (UCBNY), and Rare Bird Show (Philly).
Members: Merrie Bentley '09 Eli Blood-Patterson '11 Ali King '09 Asher Reisman '11 Becca Siegel '10 Julie Singer '12 Lindsay Sklar '10 Robbie Thompson '12 Zach Weiss '09
The Throng supports having a good time.