Turning an empty classroom into a stage takes confidence, dedication, and creativity. That’s exactly what Los Altos High School’s Improvisation Club has done under the leadership of President junior Jaya Raffill. Founded in Fall 2023, the club has grown into a welcoming community where students can explore improvisational theatre.

“The main goal is to just have fun and to learn improv, so members don’t need to put in work outside of just coming to meetings,” Jaya said.

Jaya’s passion for improv stemmed from middle school, where she co-founded a similar club with her acting teacher. There, meetings became the highlight of her week, and she continued the club at LAHS in acting teacher Lisa Battle’s classroom.

“Personally, I feel like improv is more fun than just acting,” Jaya said. “It gives a sense of community, it’s more feasible because people don’t need to do work outside of meetings, and it also helps build public speaking skills that can later be applied to acting.”

The club’s inclusive atmosphere makes it easy for anyone to join in, newcomers and experienced performers alike.

“There’s a nice balance between going out of your comfort zone and still feeling safe and supported,” junior Sophie Yung said.

Meetings follow a consistent but dynamic structure. Students arrive at Battle’s classroom about 10 minutes into lunch, giving them time to grab food and settle in. They first review key improv concepts, led by Jaya and other club leaders, before moving on to warm-up games and group activities.

“Pretty much everyone ends up performing for each other at least once,” Sophie said. “It’s hard to feel embarrassed because everyone’s so chill and supportive. We’re just a bunch of people figuring things out together, and that’s what makes it so much fun.”

“It’s fun because you can explore humor and creativity without being confined to a script,” Vice President junior Avni Rajagopal said. “You’re creating something unique with your scene partners.”

Members have opportunities to showcase their skills outside of the classroom too. Some club members participated in Mountain View’s Teen Open Mic Night in May, where they played an audience-interactive guessing game that involved improvising a scene. With only one rehearsal, the performance was more about fun than perfection, but still left a lasting impression.

“The audience really enjoyed it,” Jaya said. “That experience was inspiring and what made me want to do another performance.”

Whether she’s performing or leading meetings, for Jaya, hosting the club has been a transformative experience.

“People say they enjoy coming, and I think we’re all getting better,” Jaya said. “I’ve definitely grown as an actor, an improviser, and a leader.”

This year, Jaya hopes to put on a second-semester show — though she notes that many beginner members may need more time to prepare for the performance. 

Improv Club meets on Fridays at lunch in Room 410. Find them on Instagram at @lahs.improv.