Improvisational theater is a unique experience for audiences and performers alike. For those unfamiliar with the setup of mainstream improvisational shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, here’s the basic scenario: An improv show involves a troupe of performers, usually a close ensemble, who incorporate audience suggestions to compile a series of short sketches which can last from two to eight minutes in length. The actors perform without a written script, making up dialogue and plot as they go.

Hogwash: An Improvised Tall Tale sets the bar quite a bit higher.

The show, wich opened last Saturday features two 25-to-30-minute completely improvised stories based off audience suggestions. Every performance showcases a different plot, setting, main character and supporting characters.

Hogwash combines multiple theatrical elements into an improvisational standard. A live band, The Hamstrings (featuring Brandon Gibbons, Michael Owcharuk and Daniel Hunt), creates music on the spot in conjunction with the action on stage. Props, provided by Nick Edwards and Steve Minor, are created when the plot or characters call for them. Lighting and sound cues are provided as needed by the tech team.

“It’s a ton of fun,” said Lauren Domino, director of Hogwash and a UW alumna. “It’s a different story every time, and there’s stuff for parents as well as for kids.”

Hogwash is a family-oriented show that appeals to children and parents with its familiar themes, melodramatic style, colorful acting and general hilarity. The cast regularly pulls audience members onstage to participate in small but meaningful interactions with the story, like helping the cast troubleshoot a problem, suggesting courses of action or participating as a character.

“Kids are more used to certain story structures,” said John Axell, a cast member and UW senior. “There’s a main villain, his sidekick, the good guy and his sidekick. Conflict in these stories is different. We’re free to use magic, be animals, and be nonsensical. Audiences that go to other improv shows look for more adult relationships. For example, Hogwash will never see dueling lovers. If someone pulls a gun on someone, people get excited, but we feel we can tell stories in a more positive and constructive manner.”

Axell said that one example of this is the incorporation of improvised songs each character is encouraged to sing.

“We try to break out into song about anything whenever we can. It’s ok to sing a song about cleaning up, whereas it’s not ok to do that necessarily with another improv group,” he said.

The show is running in conjunction with the East Coast touring company of Hogwash, which is based in Chicago, Domino said.

“There are no other improv troupes doing shows for this age group (in Seattle especially),” Domino said in an e-mail. “We want them to sing with us, boo at the bad guy, cheer for the good guy, dance in the aisles, etc. I think all of this interaction leads the audience members to really care about the characters on stage, and understand them in a deeper way. It develops early arts appreciation and creative problem solving skills. Not to mention an endless source of entertainment … If they loved the show, they can always come back next week and see totally different stories!”

Other members of the production troupe agreed that the uniqueness of the show adds to its appeal.

“The first time we ran the show, it seemed very experimental,” said Scott Baxter, a cast member and UW alumnus. “It wasn’t until the fourth or fifth week that we figured out what it was about. Felt like when we were kids making stuff up again. This time we’ve been able to begin the first show of our run with that mindset, and just go out and do it.”

The cast, crew and musicians of Hogwash will also be taking the show on tour. Schools have the opportunity to book the show and perform for the students. Afterwards, a “talkback” will be offered, where the audience has an opportunity to ask the director, cast and crew questions.

“We are currently working with schools in the Seattle area,” Domino said, “but in the future we would love to tour this show all across the nation.”

In addition, Hogwash has recently created a partnership with the Girl Scout Totem Council in Seattle, where local girl scouts will be offered discounted tickets and be invited to participate in an hour-long workshop on April 27 and May 19. Domino said this was the first of (hopefully) many relationships with non-profit organizations.

The cast of Hogwash features Jen Rizor, Scott Baxter, Stephani Thompson, Sarah Hoar, Arthur Allen, Sean Cowan, Jonathan Axell and Rebekah Schroeter. On crew are Jason Anfinsen, Lauren Domino, Patrick Burke and Nick Edwards.

Reach Andrew Cardillo at andrewcardillo@thedaily.washington.edu.