The Loaf, Shenandoah’s improvisational comedy group, was recently one of two winners for “The Fresh Comedy Talent Search” hosted by Febreze, Students of the World and Pivot TV.
The group’s prize was the opportunity to produce two short films featuring Febreze products that will be played on Pivot TV to a national audience. They also worked with professional comedy writer and producer, Michael Burke (Funny Or Die, Discovery Channel), and were awarded $1,000 upon completion.
The Loaf consists of 13 Shenandoah Conservatory students who are passionate about improv, sketch comedy and making people laugh. They have no coach, but instead teach themselves and bring in guests to do workshops whenever the opportunity presents itself. Many Loaf alumni are now pursuing improv comedy in Chicago, Illinois, and Buffalo, New York.
For the past two years, members of The Loaf have received second place at College Improv Tournament’s “Liberty Bell Regionals” in Philadelphia. They have also performed in multiple venues on Shenandoah University’s campus, in the community (The Alamo Drafthouse and the 2014 Thespian Convention) and throughout the eastern region (Gettysburg College, The University of Maryland, Penn State and The Adrienne Theatre in Pennsylvania).
They also have a thriving online presence and frequently self-produce short comedy videos on their YouTube page, Facebook page, Twitter (@theloafsu) and Instagram (TheLoafComedy).
Members of the 2014-15 Loaf include Ali Foley (senior, musical theatre), Kacey Willis (senior, musical theatre), Caleb Forsythe (senior, acting), Brandon Spann (senior, acting), Leslie Joelle (senior, musical theatre), Spencer Streno (junior, musical theatre), Erik Abrahamsen (junior, acting), Riley Scott (junior, acting), Bridget Doherty (sophomore, musical theatre), Freya Falkenstein (sophomore, musical theatre), Kathleed Reed (freshman, acting), Michael Kennedy (freshman, musical theatre) and Emma Benson (freshman, musical theatre).