With the power of three Red Bulls coursing through his veins and a CamelBack strapped to his back, Jonathan McPherson (12) was practically ready for anything baring the apocalypse. Though not a cataclysmic event, the improv show he was to perform in a few minutes was the end of an era. He had been looking forward to the show since he first learned of it during his first year on the team.  

Then, he was one of three freshmen to secure a spot on the team. A team which he said soon became his second family. 

His progression as a comic directly correlated with the strengthening of his friendships with his fellow improvisors. As they bonded over late-night practices, group D&D sessions and get-togethers, McPherson began to learn from these newfound friends and grow into himself. This was the first time he felt he could just act like himself with a group of people and not get shot weird looks or made fun of for how he acted. 

It was a perfect start to his tenure at Westview Improv. But now, on this night, all he had was three hours left. 

As he stepped onto the stage, he entered his flow state—a place where he didn’t think about being funny or how to anticipate the next upcoming joke. 

He put all his trust into his gut.   

And so the final show began. 

His shining moment came in the “Ends with a Kiss” improv game where two partners are given a scene and they must lead it in a way where it must end in a kiss. It tested how far one would go for a laugh. The thing was, there was nowhere McPherson wouldn’t go. 

He paired up with Agosto Villalva and the two constructed a scene. They were Jedi on a mission on a faraway planet. Their Jedi force powers kept making their lips draw near to one another until they kissed. 

They didn’t just peck though, they began an intense makeout session. As he locked lips with Villalva, the crowd erupted in laughter, a symphony of chuckles, guffaws and cackles. The two fell to the floor, rolling around and making out as hoots and hollers flew from the audience.

As the improv director called an end to the scene, McPherson felt filled with joy, and people in the audience were wiping tears of laughter and catching their breath from the hilarious display. 

McPherson ended the show with solemn happiness. He was satisfied and knew that there really couldn’t be any better way to end his Improv tenure. He was not sad that it ended, but instead, glad that it happened.