Remember that television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? It was a popular improvisational comedy that ran for eight seasons.

You can get the same experience live in Augusta, by going to a Davidson Improv Troupe performance.

Meredith Thomason, 16, a junior at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, has been a member of the troupe for several years.

"Improv troupe is a lot of fun. Basically, what we do is learn to play improv games, bond as a group, and just enjoy ourselves," she said.

Improv games involve acting without a script.

"An improv game is a theater game where you're given a scenario or setting and have to develop an entire scene keeping comedy in mind," said senior Amber Cobern, 17.

At an improv troupe performance, the members and the audience enjoy the games.

Though the experience is fun, it isn't always as easy as it seems, according to Eric Johnson, 17, a senior.

"It gets to be pretty stressful when you're on the spot and you have a hard time thinking about something original and funny," he said. "Plus, there are a lot of stipulations about what you can and can't say."

All material must be appropriate. According to Meredith, "Bathroom humor isn't funny."

There are a lot of other restrictions.

"There's a huge difference between high school improv and professional improv," Meredith said. "Professional work tends to center on race, religion, and politics, but those kinds of touchy subjects are what we generally try to stay away from."

Still, Davidson Improv Troupe members say they enjoy themselves.

Senior Dalton Turner, 17, said members have much in common.

"It's really easy for us to express ourselves and showcase our talent," Dalton said. "Because at the end of the day, we're like a close-knit family. We support each other."

Shamari Sylvan is a senior at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School.