Homecoming Weekend just got a whole lot funnier.

Fred Rubeck, chair of the department of performing arts, has selected eight students to participate in an improv group set to perform at this year's homecoming.

The creation of this group comes at a time of ease and convenience for the performing arts department, according to Rubeck.

"The other staff and faculty are so busy mounting the other productions that we're doing," Rubeck said. "We needed something that wouldn't be onerous on the costume designers and scenic designers and people like that. This would be perfect for that, and a lot of fun."

After 12 students auditioned for the group, Rubeck selected eight of them for the production. Three men and three women comprise the main company, with one host and one referee completing the troupe.

"There is a wide range of experience and ages in this group and it will be a challenge for us, at first, to get to know each other as a team and a creative group," junior Sean Liang said. "Once we start learning how each other plays, we will start to get a grasp of where we can start as a team and how we can excel."

In recent weeks, the cast has had plenty of exposure to improv comedy, Rubeck said. Improv artist Scott Eck visited Elon for an intensive weekend-long master class, which came just after The Second City's sold-out performances in McCrary Theatre earlier this month.

"We have had a tradition of improv going on in our department for several years," Rubeck said. "But it has been a very big semester for improv."

But the experience will not be without its challenges. Sophomore Caroline Klidonas said she believes there is still a lot to learn before the show goes on.

"The biggest challenge will be not trying to be funny," Klidonas said. "With such a huge, energetic audience, it's hard not to get wrapped up in the possibility of being judged and the fear of not getting a laugh. We're just going to have to let go of that fear and be open and connected to each other as an ensemble."

Rubeck's improv group is one of several outlets for students looking to pursue comedy on Elon's campus. The performing arts department also houses Technical Difficulties, a group that meets once a week to practice improv skills.

There is no shortage of creative opportunities for students, according to Klidonas.

"I think that if you look for it, you will find it," she said. "If a student isn't satisfied, they have the luxury of a campus community where it is possible to write your own comedic script and make it happen."

Depending on the success of this year's homecoming performance, Rubeck said he would consider making the group a tradition.

"I think if it works, we'll do it again," Rubeck said. "It might be the kind of thing where we elevate Technical Difficulties down the road and they become a standard troupe that we can send out to do things, like go out on recruiting missions to high schools. There's a lot of things that can happen with a group like that."