LOS ALAMITOS, CA – For the first time ever, Los Alamitos High School will host a district-wide Staff Improv Show, featuring staff members from three of the district’s elementary schools, both middle schools, and the high school. This family-friendly show will take place on March 13, at 6 p.m., for $10 per ticket. 

Teachers from LAE, Rossmoor, and Hopkinson will hold the privilege of representing the elementary schools of Los Alamitos Unified School District. Three teachers from Oak Middle School will participate in the improv show, with four teachers from their rival McAuliffe Middle School taking the stage. Finally, four teachers from Los Alamitos High School will take part in the fun. The show’s judges will be LAUSD’s very own Dr. Andrew Pulver and Dr. Ryan Weiss-Wright. 

This new kind of improv show will be held for more than just fun. Mr. Barker, Los Al’s improv coach, explained that all proceeds from the show will go directly toward funding Los Al drama students and their trip to the nationals competition this summer. Additionally, Mr. Barker hopes the event will help spread awareness about Los Al’s improv program to younger students who may be interested in taking the class in the future. 

“I hope [people] love the show, and I hope students in lower levels in the district will want to join improv when they come to the high school,” Mr. Barker said. 

With a show of this proportion, finding participants was much more difficult compared to traditional improv events. Mr. Barker explained that he contacted each principal in the district, asking them to recruit teachers from their school. However, it seemed like not everyone was interested. Mr. Barker said that no schools were excluded from the show; rather, it was the staff who preferred to exclude themselves. Despite this, Mr. Barker hopes that all the schools will be able to participate in the future. Additionally, hopes are still high for this year’s show to be a great community event.

“I think it’s a great way for other schools to get involved and for younger students to see their teachers on stage!” said Ms. Castiglione, Los Al’s drama teacher, who will also be participating in the show. “Our improv shows are always family-friendly, so I think it’s a great community activity.

Mr. Lynes, a science teacher from McAuliffe Middle School, said that he looks forward to being in the show and believes that everyone should try their hand at improv in order to fully appreciate it. 

“Improv done well requires participants to be quick on their feet, both literally and figuratively,” he said. “Improv is so fun to watch because you never know what to expect!”

Mrs. Williams, a teacher from LAE, told the Griffin Gazette that she is excited to see her students, both current and former, when she is on stage. 

“Whenever I participate in an activity, either on or off campus, and students are present [and] they get so excited,” she said, “it gives us something to connect and talk about. It becomes a conversation starter with families and builds shared experiences and connections.”

Soon, teachers from schools across the district will come together in a great improvisation battle that all Los Al families can enjoy. This is one improv show that should not be missed!