The students of CS 4803: Computational Improv add computational technology to improv at Dad's Garage

CS4803: CI Computational Improv is a special topics course taught by Bill Leahy and Kathryn Farley (LCC). The idea came out of a desire to take two seemingly unrelated worlds and bring them together to provide a real-world computing experience in a theatrical improvisational setting.

After becoming familiar with the theory and practices of improv, the nine students enrolled in the class came up with a number of concepts for adding computing driven special effects to an improv show, followed by meetings with a number of improvisers from Dad's Garage. The collaborative effort identified the ideas the group wished to pursue and the students have been busy implementing those effects.

Students are put in a situation where they must develop a system to make the magic happen and it has to work first time - there is no ability to send out weekly patches to faulty software that are discovered in actual use. The group will be putting their skills to the test at an actual Dad's Garage improv show.

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