Ben Sommers is a second yr well being science main. When the top of this yr comes round, he will likely be on his solution to graduate college within the Physicians Affiliate (PA) program right here at Valpo. He’s extremely concerned on campus; these actions embrace being a residential assistant (RA) in Lankenau Corridor, an govt board member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and a member of VUDU comedy.
Sommers has all the time had a ardour for making folks’s day by getting them to chuckle. He wasn’t the primary one in his household to develop a ardour for laughter.
“I prefer to make folks chuckle. I prefer to assume that I’m humorous,” Sommers stated. “[Comedy] has been one thing I’ve finished for a very long time. I even have an uncle who did arise comedy for a very long time; he began in improv.”
As faculty got here across the nook, Sommers needed to determine the place he may slot in at Valpo. Fortunately, his uncle was in a position to set him up in the correct route.
“As I used to be leaving for varsity, I used to be frightened about what I might become involved in on campus. I used to be nervous about making connections. My uncle had stated to see if there was an improv workforce on campus,” Sommers stated. “Freshman yr Welcome Week I went to the coed involvement truthful and I discovered the desk for VUDU. I talked to some people and it appeared very nice so I made a decision to enroll and audition.”
Though people hear the phrase “artwork” they affiliate it with roles corresponding to being a musician, photographer or painters, Sommers views comedy is a type of artwork.
“I believe comedy is an artwork. I believe it’s slightly more durable to nail down why. Clearly should you see artwork you’re like ‘Ah sure, somebody is a very good painter’ or if somebody performs the piano you’re similar to ‘Sure, they’re an incredible musician,’” Sommers stated. “Comedy feels slightly completely different, but it surely nonetheless creates one thing for different folks to take pleasure in. I believe that’s what artwork is.”
Rising up, Sommers had an surroundings full of guffaws and jokes. This surroundings created many influences that lead him into the follow of comedy. Probably the most influential particular person being his uncle who he described as an in depth household pal who entered his life round center college.
“Earlier than my uncle, everybody in my household, I believe, was humorous,” Sommers stated. “I’ve a household that very a lot revolves round humor; my aunt is without doubt one of the funniest folks I do know, this time my precise aunt [mom’s sister]. My dad and mom are actually humorous. I didn’t see it for some time. I hit highschool and was like ‘My dad is hilarious. How have I by no means observed that earlier than?’ My brothers and I are all the time always laughing about one thing silly or cracking jokes.”
For Sommers, comedy can also be a solution to de-stress.
“Faculty could be very annoying particularly for the folks learning well being care. There’s rather a lot to study, it’s all very severe like ‘Hey, this data you must know as a result of it would save anyone’s life sometime.’ There’s a number of strain that comes with that, so it’s very nice to do one thing for just a few hours every week the place I don’t must take something very significantly. It’s simply ‘Hey are available right here be silly and be foolish, be humorous.’”
Because it’s coming to the top of the varsity yr, VUDU will likely be holding auditions for brand new members. Sommers encourages potential members to present it a shot and simply have enjoyable with it.
“By way of becoming a member of VUDU, simply get to know us [the team]. We’re all human beings; we prefer to assume we’re pretty approachable. Come to the exhibits, comply with us on Instagram, cease us and say ‘Hey how are you? My title is blah blah blah. I’d like to get to know you’. Each semester we do auditions, we do open rehearsals and you’ll come play video games with us. You possibly can be a part of us and check out your hand at it. Then you’ll be able to join an audition and we’ll go from there,” Sommers stated.
For many who need to brush up on their comedy expertise, Sommers says that confidence is vital.
“Engaged on comedy typically to get higher at it, I all the time discuss engaged on pace,” Sommers stated. “A number of improv is about considering rapidly. Even in daily life, I work on not hesitating and simply going with the very first thing that involves thoughts. You could not assume it is humorous, however should you do it with confidence, different folks will.”
If you need to appoint somebody for an Artist Highlight function in The Torch, please electronic mail torch@valpo.edu