Elon University students will surely be laughing Oct. 16 and 17, and not just because it is homecoming weekend. The Department of Performing Arts will be performing their annual show, "Instant Laughter" this weekend. 

Senior Claudio Vincenty has been a part of the group since his freshman year. His favorite part of "Instant Laughter" is the family aspect.

“While members graduate and new students come in, there is a consistency to the group of people we are working with,” Vincenty said.

Vincenty is so comfortable with other members, he can almost predict what his partners will do.

“We understand each others' humor and we are always in sync when playing games,” Vincenty said.

Though the show is created completely in the moment, to prepare for the show, the group practices the different improv games they will play during the live show. But since the company undergoes changes each year, some of the games don't fit. So, the group then changes the show to fit with the style and tone of the current cast by choosing improv scenarios that they are best at. 

Students and alumni can expect the unexpected at the show.

“We take a lot of our suggestions from the audience, so they'll be creating the show with us,” Vincenty said. “The characters, locations, and circumstances of the scene will be defined by the crowd.”

Senior Kelsey McCabe, who recently got involved with Instant Laughter through their annual audition process, attests to the audience’s involvement as an intricate part to the success of the performance.

“The audience can expect to be a big part of the show,” she said. “We are constantly asking for suggestions and play off of the audience’s enthusiasm.” 

In addition to using the audience for the performance, the cast members use one another to pump each other up.

“We always have a warm-up to get our energy at the level it needs to be to be as free as possible,” she said.

McCabe's involvement with "Instant Laughter" has inspired her to pursue improv after graduation. 

Instant Laughter’s shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Yeager Recital Hall and tickets can be purchased for $13.