Lazzi Improv
Lazzi: An Improv Troupe (Simply known as Lazzi Improv or the mononymous Lazzi) is an American improvisational comedy troupe from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln[1]. The troupe was originally founded in 2013 by Billy Jones.[2] Its name comes from the Italian lazzi, an improvised joke or gag often used in Commedia dell'arte.[3]
| Lazzi Improv | |
|---|---|
| File:Lazzi Improv Logo.png Lazzi Improv Logo | |
| Genre | Improvisation |
| Date of premiere | 2013 |
| Location | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States |
| Creative team | |
| President | Ryan Richert |
| Vice President | Aaron C. Harrel |
| Treasurer | Quentin Egbert |
| Primary Programmer (Outreach) | Rose Padios |
| Primary Programmer (Events) | Charis Erickson |
| Official website | |
History
Lazzi: An Improv Troupe was formed in 2013 by Billy Jones, a senior theater performance major. Seeing that there were no improvisation-based clubs or organizations in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, Jones created Lazzi. The troupe was registered as an RSO (Registered Student Organization) in late 2013 and began performing shows shortly after. In the beginning, the group boasted 10 members, and has since fluctuated between eight and 17.
Originally, Lazzi would perform in various locations around UNL's campus, such as in the Union Bookstore and in theaters within the university's Temple Building. Now, the troupe regularly performs in The Crib, located in UNL's Union building.
Since 2013, Lazzi has performed at various festivals and events across the Midwest. Annual improv festivals, such as University of Missouri's CoMotion and Kansas State University's Delfest, have hosted Lazzi to perform in their two-night events.[4][5]
Along with their bi-weekly shows, Lazzi has also performed in collaboration with other comedy groups. In 2025, they put on a show with the professional Lincoln improv troupe, The Disassociates.[6]
In 2026, the troupe began hosting Lazzipalooza, an annual improv festival located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The inaugural year's two-night event hosted other collegiate improv teams such as Ohio State University's 8th Floor Improv, University of Kansas's Sunny Side Improv, University of Missouri's Fatt Motis, Colorado State University's Rams Comedy, and professional teams, such as The Backline Comedy Theatre.[7][8][9]
Other Ventures
In addition to improv shows, Lazzi has consistently branched out into various forms of media, comedy, and performance. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the troupe created the podcast Poddy Break, with the episode, "Dixie D'Amelio's Raffle Winners" being its first and sole episode.[10] In 2021, the group began streaming on Twitch, playing Jackbox games such as Quiplash 2.[11] In 2026, the troupe expanded to sketch comedy, posting sketches on their various social media accounts, with their first sketch, "The Hat", being released on March 29, 2026.[12]
References
- ↑ https://unl.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/lazzi
- ↑ https://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/lazzi-improv-troupe-thinks-on-its-feet/article_81156304-a64f-11e2-a42c-001a4bcf6878.html
- ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/italiancommedia/lazzi
- ↑ https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/comotion-brings-comedy-groups-from-around-the-midwest-together-at-mu/article_e6d690eb-fdf1-4984-ac6f-09b0d69a1c06.html
- ↑ https://themaneater.com/134174/move/mu-improv-causes-a-comotion-at-annual-festival/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EKZBiMWwm/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/backlinecomedy/posts/congrats-to-lazzi_improv-on-a-successful-college-improv-festival-at-unlincoln-an/1477162894419985/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ABf4PDTNZM
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKFHnSinmY4&t=2274s
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/show/3jvMSJXKnNsvRcobGBdEJf?si=6b72b04299d74a63
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17xc6fk7fj/
- ↑ https://youtube.com/shorts/GARwXaW62tQ?si=dkwaruNNpy870nvL
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