Comedy Group Brings laughs, smiles to Fort Collins

At one time, the Clown Box improv group was a once-a-month hobby that brought four individuals together in a small auditorium in front of a handful of skeptical audience members. They would play a few games, sing some songs and would always seem to pull a respectable amount of laughs from the small audience that sat before them.

That was eleven years ago, though. The group has grown now to four shows a month on average at much larger venues. More than a hundred audience members of all ages show up to see the growing improv group and although much has changed, the clowns stick tight to their original purpose: to have fun while making people laugh.

Improv, short for improvisational, is a type of comedy act that is performed with little to no predetermination of subject matter and structure. Improv comedy relies heavily on audience participation and the quick, clever thinking of the cast. Prime examples of this kind of comedy can be seen on the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

Grant Garrison, 25, has been with the group since its beginning and feels strongly about the role Clown box plays in his life.

“(Clown Box) is the best thing that has happened to me since I won my fifth grade the talent show for singing ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ while standing on my head,” Garrison said. “Knowing that what we do makes people laugh is enough to make me all warm and fuzzy inside.”

The group now performs predominantly at the Lincoln Center and the Bas Bleu Theatre, both located in Fort Collins. In the past, the group has had the opportunity to perform at CSU Preview—an orientation event held for all in-coming CSU freshman and transfer students.

The Clown Box’s next show is scheduled on Thursday, November 15 at the Lincoln Center. Tickets are $7 available on their website at www.clownbox.com.

“If you’ve never seen an improv show you owe it to yourself to check us out,” Garrison said. “Grab a date, a roommate, the janitor in your dorm—it doesn’t matter, just bring a friend and come check us out. It will be worth it.”