On December 7, the newly formed faculty improvisation group gave an MX to an engaged audience frequently solicited for performance ideas..

“I really liked that the MX had teachers that I didn’t know and don’t normally see,” freshman Lila Schatz said. “I liked that there was a mixture of people with experience and people with not a lot of experience in the improv community.”

5th grade assistant teacher Phoebe Stonebraker, SK teacher Dana O’Brien, JK assistant teacher Jeremiah Howe, SK assistant teacher Simon Lockwood-Bean, 3rd grade assistant teacher Mark Piebenga, and JK assistant teacher Jack Farrell.

5th grade teacher Phoebe Stonebraker, who graduated from Parker in 2007, was the sponsor of the MX. Stonebraker was inspired by The Mike and Duane Show. “They were hilarious, smart, and a welcome break from the rigors of school,” Stonebraker said. “They allowed me to view the world critically with ease.” She has always wanted to be a part of something like this.

Stonebraker works within the performing arts community outside of school, where she spends 2-4 nights on stage. “Improv, comedy, and performance art are more than a passion,” she said. “ My studies have made me a better teacher, creator, and person,” she said. “That’s what I want to share improv and hopefully some laughter–in the MX.” She has always wanted to say, “And this concludes the Morning Ex.”

Stonebraker’s 5th grade writing class triggered the idea for a faculty improv MX.  “My students were working on specificity in their writing,” she said, “and I found myself quoting my improv teacher ‘Specificity kills ambiguity!’ From there I kept finding connections.”

O’Brien, who has been improvising for the past 25 years loves to perform and was so glad to be contributing to the MX. “I am hoping that by being a part of a group of really talented people with varying experience,” O’Brien said, “we can demonstrate to the audience, not only how fun it is to improvise, but how helpful improv is to so many areas of life.”

Piebenga has been involved in improv since his junior year of high school and has trained at places in Chicago including Second City, Annoyance and the Playground. Outside of school he still acts in a two person show with his brother called Piebenga Plumbing.

Howe wasn’t scared to perform in front of the whole school, he has had much experience with improvising, as he has had much experience with improvising.  “There’s always a bit of  ‘I‘m in front of all these people but something I’ve learned over time is that I have no control over how I am perceived,” Howe said, “I can’t make someone think I’m funny or interesting. All I can do is offer all of myself and hope that others find it interesting.”