Tonight No Refund Theatre will showcase its ability to improvise, and in more than one sense of the word.

The student theatre group originally planned to stage Racism for Fun and Profit, a play written by Luke Davin (senior-film and video), but Davin's senior film project prevented him from having the time to devote to pulling the play together.

NRT Improv Time: 8 p.m. Date: Today Place: 111 Forum

So instead, Davin decided to make do with what time — and actors — were available, and he'll direct The Last Minute Improv Players at 8 p.m. today in 111 Forum.

"Right now the show is a formless void," Davin said.

"I have no idea what is going to happen. It's one night and one night only. Absolutely anything can happen."

NRT President Mike Still said the group usually stages one night of improv per semester, and similar evenings have received favorable responses in the past.

In fact, Still said that NRT improv was the most successful event at the HUB-Robeson Center's Late Night Student Organization Hot Spot last semester.

"We had people show up at 10 p.m. and not leave until 1 a.m.," Still said. "They stayed the whole time, so we had to do three hours of improv."

That's not an easy task, according to the actors who have experience in the genre. Improv is a form of comedic theatre that uses no script, and it relies solely upon audience suggestions to develop the situations and characters involved in a series of short scenes.

Actors must adapt accordingly, relying on quick wit to carry them through the performance.

Davin said tonight's show will incorporate several different handles, which are standard stock routines done by improv comedy troupes. For example, in one common handle called "Party Guests," those in attendance are responsible for deciding what guests will show up.

"Hopefully the audience is going to see a show they can feel they were a part of creating," said NRT Vice President Nate Kushner. "The way we do it is very audience interactive. It's mostly just a fun show."

Zach Stewart (senior-film and video) agrees, and he said it's the uncertainty and unpredictability of improv that makes it enjoyable for everyone.

"I like the spontaneous energy involved," Stewart said. "You're in the hands of the audience. They give you something, and you have to work with it."

For that reason, improv doesn't necessarily lend itself to standard rehearsals.

However, the group has prepared by getting together and practicing some random situations.

It's a rehearsal process that's a little less stressful, allowing Davin to concentrate on his film project.

And letting him save Racism for Fun and Profit until it can get the attention he believes it deserves.

"I'm sort of saving this for later in my life right now," Davin said of his play.

"It's just not ready to be born yet."