Back in 1986, Orangeville District Secondary School's drama room was an electrical shop. But today, the school's improv team has put the electricity back into the air with hilarious performances in its bid to go to the national improv finals this year.

The team consists of 15 students who meet each week to hone their skills in the school's drama room, and the performances are quite popular with the rest of the school. They get on the stage and perform various skits, monologues and scenes, practising for the big event.

The event the students are eying is the Canadian Improv Games (CIG), a spontaneous theatrical competition played annually by thousands of high school students across the country. This is the 30th year of the event, and in the coming months the students will compete against local schools for the chance to "go national".

Tony Culp, the team's coach and teacher, says his team is more than ready to show its stuff to the country.

"This is definitely one of the most talented group of actors we've had here," said Mr. Culp of the 11th generation of improv wizards. "I think they have a great chance this year."

The art of improvisational acting goes back to 16th century Europe. It's a form of theatre in which actors use improvisational acting techniques to perform spontaneously, much like on the now defunct TV show, Whose Line is it Anyway? starring comedian Drew Carey. Actors often use audience suggestions to guide the performance as they create dialogue, setting and plot. The performances tend to be comedic, and in various exercises.

The techniques learned by the students through improv - listening, confidence, clarity - are considered important skills by actors, and can also follow them into future careers.

Watching the students pretend they're at a zoo or in a desert can be fun, and judging by the looks they have on their faces during the performance it's hard to describe who's having the best time, they themselves or their audience. Even the teachers seem to be having a great time as they pretend to get a haircut.

One student is very clear about why he enjoys it.

"It's a lot of fun, we're always making people laugh and that feeling you get on the stage, you don't get that anywhere else," he said. Another student called it a "Rush, very exciting, something to be experienced."

Mr. Culp has been with the team for several years, and will be in attendance when they perform in Mississauga next month, just one of the stops they will have to make to go national. The week of the CIG has been called "crazy" but the students believe they're ready for it.

"We'll do it, and we'll have a great time," he said.