Newfield CSD students to raise money through improv show

Newfield High School seniors will raise money through an improv show next week.

ComedyFLOPs, a community-based improv troupe, will hold a show Feb. 13 at the Golden Bayou at 401 Elmira Rd. in Ithaca. The show will begin at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the show will go toward Newfield’s 2025 Project Graduation all-night party in June.

“This particular fundraiser is especially important because it helps keep our seniors safe on graduation night,” said Jennifer Hsu, a parent and one of the fundraiser organizers. “By providing [seniors] with all-night entertainment, we aim to prevent risky behaviors like drinking and driving. It’s a cause that ensures our students can celebrate their achievements in a safe and memorable way. The ticket sales will help pay for their all-night entertainment.”

According to a description, ComedyFLOPs, which began in 2011, is a group that provides “high-quality, affordable and inclusive comedy to Ithaca and the surrounding areas through entertainment and philanthropy.”

The Newfield senior class, which consists of 38 students, is selling tickets for the Feb. 13 show while working alongside the roughly eight ComedyFLOPs cast members.

“They are a high-energy, creative and hilarious group of people who like to make people laugh while raising money for community nonprofit organizations,” Hsu said. “I’ve had the pleasure of organizing fundraisers with the ComedyFLOPs Improv Troupe in the past. They are an incredibly talented and funny group to work with.”

John Fracchia, an educator at Ithaca College, is one of the last remaining original members of ComedyFLOPs’ cast.

“In addition to performing, I also am typically the person who coordinates administrative things like our shows,” Fracchia said.

Fracchia said that the comedy group performs between short- and medium-form improv shows, noting a similarity to the popular show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

Over the course of its 15 years in existence, Fracchia said ComedyFLOPs has raised over $16,000 for more than 40 different organizations.

The Feb. 13 show, Fracchia said, will represent Newfield CSD’s seniors “in the best way possible.”

Fracchia noted the show will be centered on performing a variety of improv games.

“These can range from guessing games, such as Party Quirks — where someone is hosting a party and has to try to figure out what their guests are turning into, obsessed with or afraid of — to musical confessionals or Battle of the Bands,” Fracchia said. “The key thing to an improv show is that nothing is scripted. All we know is what games we will play, but the content is completely inspired by audience suggestions. This makes our shows inclusive, as the audience is helping to build the fun and are in on the jokes. The result is that each show is completely unique.”

Hsu said the Golden Bayou, which she called the “best kept secret” and a “hidden gem” of Ithaca, was chosen as the venue for the show for its separate party room and a stage for events or karaoke sessions.

“This restaurant offers a delightful blend of authentic Chinese cuisine, southern seafood boils, dim sum and mouth-watering and crispy chicken wings,” Hsu said. “My mission is to help both Golden Bayou and the 2025 Project Graduation bring more awareness to this fantastic venue.”

In the time that Hsu has been around the ComedyFLOPs cast members, she has come to the realization that improv comedy is no easy feat.

“Those who can think quickly on their feet and make people laugh are truly talented,” Hsu said. “An energetic and enthusiastic crowd can make a huge difference for the comedians, making their job a bit easier. I’ve attended shows where I couldn’t stop laughing, and the crowd’s energy was electric.”

Tickets for the show are $20 per person. They can be purchased either at the door or through Venmo at “Newfield Project Graduation.”

“The goal is for everyone to have a fantastic time while supporting a great cause,” Hsu said. “The students selling tickets understand that the community is helping to create lasting memories of their final high school experience in a safe and fun way, and it is nice to know that our seniors appreciate that. We hope the community will come out and support 2025 Project Graduation and bring some business to the good people at the Golden Bayou.”

Newfield Notes appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Library to hold Valentine’s Day bake sale

The Newfield Public Library will hold a Valentine’s Day bake sale on Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The library, located at 193 Main St. in the town, will have a variety of baked goods and treats for sale.

Participants have the option of making a do-it-yourself gift basket. Those who donate $10 can select a treat, a book and a movie. A $20 donation will include a bottle of wine.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the library. For more information, call 607-564-3594 or email newfieldlibrary@gmail.com.