On Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23, the Failed Presidential Candidates (FPC) improv Troupe, an open-audition group of 21 students, hosted their bi-annual improv show in the Little Theater. FPC hosts two shows each semester with a different theme every semester, and this semester happens to be outer space.

FPC relies upon suggestions from its audience to play a series of games, such as Beastie Rap and Twisted Charades. Beastie Rap, a game that involves two teams, asks for the audience to choose a word so that the two teams can compose a rap. The rap must end with words that rhyme with that given word.

The games are hosted by different members of the troupe, and not all members of the troupe participate in each game. The members learn the games during their weekly rehearsals on Mondays, led by the captains of the troupe. Although the games are similar each year, students use costumes to communicate their themes.

“We practiced the games over and over, and they’re never the same,” said FPC member Maya DiBernardo ’26. “We just practice the structure of [the game] so that way we get it into our systems [for the show].”

In rehearsals, the troupe not only practices the structure of the games but also works on different improv methods. One such method, according to FPC Captain Kelsey Kupferschmid ’26, involves finding a character to relate to in the outer space theme or using physical actions to adapt to the new prompt given from the audience.

“[We] basically figure out what show or what games each person is [performing],” said Kupferschmid. “We also help organize different [team bonding] events for the troupe, [such as going out for a meal after performances],”

Many in the troupe, like DiBernardo, consider FPC a community for them to destress. She notes that FPC is a low-stress club and acts as a space for her to be herself. She notes that she sees many of the troupe members outside FPC, which has also helped to foster a stronger bond between members.

“[FPC] has become my family over the years,” DiBernardo says. “We just go in[to meetings and shows] and have the most fun.”