The following is a transcript of a story that aired on Feb. 27, 2025 on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.”
(Two students sing “Sweet Tea” a song they made up completely on the spot)
Producer Mackenzie Krumme: What you’re hearing there is a sample of improv from Milwaukee’s Interchange Theater Coop. And yes, no joke those lyrics, that harmony and the dynamic of these two performers are made up… right on the spot.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
MK: I am in westtown at one of the oldest churches in the city. It has cream city brick and a 200 foot tower. But not everything that happens here is church-like.
Vince Figueroa a teacher at Interchange: “Think of it like an orgasm. You are building up this tension in the scene and you have to sweep otherwise you lose it.”
MK: That is Vince Figueroa. He is the education director of the Interchange Theater Coop in MIlwaukee. He is giving feedback to a group of performers on a skit about a long line with a person spending way too long in the porta potty.
(Students’ exchange during a skit)
“Its only been like 30 minutes Wait your turn loser.” “This is the only porta potty at the entire festival.”
MK: The Interchange got started in 2021 and is the first improv coop in the city. Right now they are working to diversity the art form, which has traditionally been made up of white performers.
Mia Serafina, a founder of the scholarship: “I don’t think I performed with comedians of color until college.”
MK: Mia Serafina is the director of community and culture at the interchange. She helped start the New Voices Scholarship…which is a completely free scholarship for people of color, people with disabilities or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
She started the scholarship after performing a show with only Hispanic performers..it was called Hispanic At The Wisco.
(Promotional video for Hispanic At The Wisco)
“If you’re also sad that your parents decided to leave their country for a very cold wasteland come this Saturday at the interchange theater and watch an amazing ensemble of Hispanic performers.”
MS: “I’m on stage with other Hispanic comedians and it was such a difference that I didn’t know how badly I needed it. Even just the cultural comfortability. I made a Selena Yolanda reference and the audience got it. And it was it’s just another level of comfort that I had never been used to.”
MK: Mia said there is a freedom in performing with people like her. She can make cultural references and create characters that are similar to her Chilean abuela who once met Che Guevea at a plaza but never told anyone until a random easter brunch.
And she said, she gets to play around with language.
MS: We were kind of in a scene and somebody’s like, oh my god that person just gave me a new nickname, ‘pendejo.’ I’ve never heard that before. Just those little moments that privately make us really crack up.”
MK: In the New Voices application process people are asked questions like have you ever overcome a difficult moment using humor? Or Who do you look up to to find comedy and joy?
MK: Once a person is awarded the scholarship they receive eight weeks of free improv classes and get a chance to perform in the 100 person theater on North 10th Street. So far the scholarship has had five recipients including JC Diaz.
JC Diaz, a student: “I didn’t know much about improv, honestly. I didn’t know what it was. I thought improv was like stand up, where you just stand up and do jokes and just talk, but it was more about being creative with acting and being intrusive I would say.”
(Student exchange during a skit)
“Here is your laxative delivery”
JD: “The spontaneous thing about it. That’s what I really fell in love with because you have so many thoughts throughout your whole day and then when you’re actually doing [improv] you’re saying those thoughts out loud. It might be good. It might be bad. It might be funny. I might be naughty. It’s whatever, whatever comes to your mind.”
MK: Building on whatever comes up is a key part of making an improv skit work. And it goes for the whole group, too. With the help of the New Voices scholarship, the Interchange hopes to keep delivering opportunities and of course…laughs..
(End of a student skit)
“I’d just like to say. I really love it when a plan comes together. Scene. Screaming, chanting and applause”
MK: Mackenzie Krumme. Wisconsin Public Radio.
