Building Something from Nothing

In improvisational comedy, the name of the game is often creating a world out of nowhere. For local troupe Jumpin’ Jacks Improv, this world-crafting is built on a foundation set on the South Dakota State University (SDSU) campus a decade ago, recently revived anew.

Jumpin’ Jacks Improv troupe members (from left) co-owner Caleb Dirksen, Parker Oleson, Jacob Womack, Drew Veurink & co-owner Patrick Hybertson (Photo Credit: Austin Bryan, Out of Focus Media)

Originally conceived as a college improv group, Jumpin’ Jacks was resuscitated by some former troupe members just last year, according to current company co-owner Patrick Hybertson.

“It started as a group of about five, six people, and they started performing and learning together about some of the styles of improv,” Hybertson said. “And gradually, as they went along, they accepted more people, passing that torch down to new students.”

At one point, this iteration of the company was fronted by then-SDSU students Hybertson and Caleb Dirksen. After graduation, though, the troupe largely disbanded on campus. That’s where Hybertson and a new roster re-established in Sioux Falls in 2023.

“Those of us that had graduated didn't really have much of an outlet for the arts in any way, shape or form,” he said. “We said to ourselves, let's just pick it back up and make it something that anyone could particularly join. We contacted some of the old members, and we jumped back in.”

Since rebooting Jumpin’ Jacks, the group has performed locally at Remedy Brewing Company, as well as recently toured to Watertown and Brookings.

The group’s style of improv has varied depending on the space, the gig and the allotted time, but Hybertson describes it as largely short-form games and long-form improv when the occasion allows.

“Long-form you see a little bit more in some of those bigger cities — places like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Omaha,” he said of the style, which often takes the form of monologues and dialogues versus one-off scenes and sketches. “You make an entire world out of nothing with long-form, versus structured games. It’s a lot more fluid and more like we're creating in the abyss.”

Submitted Photo

The players in this current iteration of Jumpin’ Jacks go well beyond the SDSU alumni network, with members who are graduates of University of South Dakota and University of Sioux Falls, including some who work in schools, nursing facilities and even Game, Fish & Parks.

“It's definitely a fun side gig,” Hybertson said. “It’s a great outlet to have. I mean, sometimes adulting sucks and you're like, ‘What can I do? What can I do besides just come home after work?’ And so to have improv is great.”

And though the group hails from all corners of the South Dakota collegiate improv scene, they’ve been able to establish a newly fine-tuned chemistry through practice and gigging.

“We've performed together over time here and, gradually through rehearsals in our own events, we've become a well-oiled machine,” Hybertson said. “I know I can rely on these people to really hit on these games and to, in general, show up and put on a quality show. To have that level of trust with a person is really cool.”

In revisiting the comedy form as an adult versus a college-age student, troupe members have discovered new perspectives that can help drive the work, too.

“There were times when I was younger when I would have to speak in front of people and think, ‘Oh my gosh, what am I going to say?’ Hybertson said. And now it's easier to just roll with the punches. Improv is definitely applicable in real-world situations — to think on your toes and answer questions on the fly.” 

Looking to the future, Hybertson hopes that a culture of improv becomes more prevalent in Sioux Falls, building camaraderie amongst troupes and normalizing attending improv shows for the average arts supporter.

“There’s a well-established standup comedy scene in Sioux Falls, and it's a very supportive scene from what I have heard and witnessed myself,” he said. “I would like to see that applied for improv comedy, as well. Looking at Omaha, to see the support everyone offers, both veterans and newbies, I'd love to see in Sioux Falls. If we can come together and build a really tight-knit improv community, that would be ideal. That would be amazing to see.”