By Sarah Emery
For The State News
Tom Foote said he knows what it is like to meet up with the adult form of his inner child on a daily basis.
Foote, a 1990 MSU graduate, is the founder and director of Sketchy People, a Lansing-area improvisational group.
The group is based on the mantra that “improv exercises your brain.”
Foote said it teaches the importance of challenging thought through the use of various stage games and antics. But, he said the performances are not necessarily to humor or entertain their audiences, rather to make them think.
“We’re not a comedy troupe because if you try to be funny, you won’t be,” Foote said. “What working out does for your body, improvisational exercises have likewise effects on your mind.
“It’s a plus if they are entertained to the point of laughter, but that’s not our main focus.”
Founded in 1998, with an original cast of 18, the improv group began playing local area shows with average stage ranks ranging from 10 to 20 members per show. They began publicly performing in 1998 at Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave. They have also performed at Common Grounds Festival, and open mic night at Akers Hall.
Eventually, the notoriety of Sketchy People began to catch on. From 1998 to 1999, Sketchy People began publicly performing on a weekly basis to audiences at Harper’s, and then student influence caught on as well.
Brandon Bautista, a 2000 MSU graduate, noticed Sketchy People while still attending MSU, and joined the group.
He said he enjoyed the group so much he began the MSU Student Improv Club, but after he graduated the club dissolved and Bautista began to focus more on Sketchy People.
But Bautista said that there are a lot of students that are interested in an improvisational group.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said of the MSU club. “ I hope another starts up, there are a lot of students that could benefit.”
Sketchy People makes up for their small numbers with a lot of spirit.
While on stage performing games with names such as “Elves, Wizards and Giants,” and “Numbers,” Foote, Bautista, and the rest of the crew, play along with enthusiasm, vigor and an abundance of smiles.
To accentuate the show there are musical interludes added by John Smith, a Lansing-area musician from the Green Door Lounge, 2005 E. Michigan Ave. Smith joined the group in September of 1999.
“We’re always looking for new members,” Foote said. “This is a lot of fun, and it twists your brain in so many ways.”
Every Tuesday at the Auditorium, Sketchy People have a workshop practice, where members hone their skills in spontaneity, spur-of-the-moment thought and fundamentals.
Foote stresses the importance of listening to other people and learning how to carry over what is learned at these workshops to their weekly shows.
Sketchy People perform at 8 p.m. Fridays at the Bailey Community Center, 300 Bailey St., and at 8:30 p.m. Sundays at Rick’s American Cafe, 224 Abbott Road.
Jennifer Scofield, a Grand Rapids resident, was at Rick’s American Cafe Sunday night watching Sketchy People perform.
Scofield said she enjoys watching the group every week.
“They’re really funny,” she said. “They have super funny skits that only happen every week, so you have to come every week to learn new things.
“They make a good laugh - you lose calories because you laugh.”
Matthew Havens, a kinesiology senior, said he has been watching the group for almost three years and is surprised by the lack of support by the community.
“I think it is about the most inventive thing that around here in East Lansing,” he said. “It’s the most entertaining thing I’ve ever seen.”
Foote said by playing at different venues the group can broaden its audiences, since the show on Sunday night’s at Rick’s can only cater to a 21 and older age group.
“By playing at the Bailey Community Center, we can not only entertain the upper-level college crowd, but the rest of the community that isn’t necessarily of age,” Foote said.
Aside from playing Lansing clubs, Sketchy People will also perform for students, teachers, businesses and school assemblies.
“Improv exercises your brain,” Foote said. “And everyone, absolutely everyone can participate.”
For more information on Sketchy People go to www.sketchypeople.com
Freelancer Elissa Englund contributed to this report.
