Ambushing The Funny

Behind the stage, voices join in a rhythmic chant, "We bring the funny... we bring the funny..." A video flashes on the giant screen introducing the troupe as members of the audience scream the names of their favorite performers. The troupe emerges and breaks out in a comedic rap song. As the show continues, videos, skits, games and improvisational comedy spur the crowd to laughter.
"We're an ambush of hilarity," says Jason Seagraves, a Georgetown junior. 
The Guerrilla Comedy Troupe, named for its unconventional "street" style of comedy, has been making Baylor laugh since 2001. 
"We're unexpected," Plano sophomore Matthew Clark says. "We don't follow the norm as far as comedy goes."
John Wolf, BBA '02, founder of the troupe, was looking for a creative outlet he wasn't finding in his business major. He posted signs around campus advertising open auditions for a new comedy team.
The troupe began performing at Common Grounds, a popular coffee hangout, and has "brought the funny" to audiences at After Dark, All University Sing, Pigskin Revue, Beta Upsilon Chi's Island Party, and the fall, winter and spring premieres.
Although troupe members have an impressive list of events at which they've entertained, their favorite crowds are those that come specifically to see them. 
"Those are the people that come to see comedy," Seagraves says. "They're ready to laugh. They're ready to contribute. They're the most willing to have a good time." 
This year, the troupe became a nonprofit and started doing its own shows, rather than entertaining only at other events. Clark says they've been able to perform for mass audiences and earn enough to cover their costs. "It's really been great selling out our venues," he says. "It's just been an incredible year for us to grow."
All the material the troupe uses is original work written by members or is improvised during the show. "It's a process. We brainstorm and come up with clever scenarios and then improv and see what we can get out of it... see if it goes a funny direction," Clark says.
Games are a main part of the troupe's shows. Most of the games are modeled after those played on the improvisational comedy television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" The troupe also creates videos that spoof television shows and commercials or poke fun at Baylor. 
The "Bird Busters" video follows two men, Billy McGee and Alfie, who try to get rid of the numerous flocks of birds that flood the campus each year by using a cannon filled with hamburger condiments and gunpowder.
"We scare those birds away for about 10 minutes... after that they come back tenfold. But that's all right!" McGee says in a country drawl.
Another video gives an in-depth look at Jesse H. Jones Library and the difficulty Baylor's mascot, Bruiser, has navigating the different aspects of it. The investigation repeatedly labels the library "not bear friendly."
Auditions for the troupe were held in March. Four new "guerrillas" were chosen from the more than 30 who tried out, bringing the group's total to 16.
Clark says they are looking for people who are clever and comfortable in front of an audience. "At auditions, we're not expecting to bust a gut and laugh. We want people who are quick-witted and can think on their feet," Clark says.
Seagraves and Clark agree that the best performers are those who aren't trying to be funny.
This year, the troupe began performing outside of the Waco community. The performers traveled to The Hideout in Austin, a place Seagraves describes as an "artsy ice cream and coffee shop." The group also performed at a Corpus Christi high school's graduation party in May.
The troupe encourages everyone to come out and see one of its performances this fall.
"You don't know what to expect when you come to one of our shows," Clark says. "We like to surprise you."
They'll bring the funny then, too.
Information about upcoming shows can be found in the Lariat newspaper or by calling Seagraves at (512) 818-5972.