Walk past Reynolds Theater Saturday night and you're sure to hear a roar of laughter-or at least that's what The Waitstaff is hoping.
The sketch comedy troupe has been on the rise in Philadelphia since its inception in 2003. The group is now setting its sights, and gags, on Duke University.
"We've done several colleges up here," said Gerre Garrett, a founding member of the team. "One of our goals for this year was to branch out and go to other colleges, so this worked out great."
The Waitstaff is made up of 14 core members, most of whom come from a theatrical background. Some of its members have also worked in writing, directing, producing, dance and music.
Garrett praises this diversity as one of the strengths of the troupe.
"No one set point of view emerges, so we can do political humor and goofy stuff, or absurd things," Garrett said.
This breadth of material has also garnered praise from several Philadelphia newspapers. The acclaim has spread to a national level, as The Waitstaff was accepted to participate in January's Chicago Sketch Fest, the largest sketch comedy festival in the country.
"That was the high point of our history," Garrett said. "We were excited about going to the Chicago Sketch Festival to meet groups from all over the country and we were excited about how good we did as well."
Garrett added that students should expect to have a lot of fun at the show Saturday.
"They should expect to laugh a lot because of the breadth of the sketches," Garrett said. "If one sketch doesn't particularly trip your trigger, hold on because something else will."
With sketches that include full stereo equipment, an African black rhinoceros and Dungeons and Dragons players, The Waitstaff is sure to serve up some laughs.
-Alex Frydman
The Waitstaff will perform Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. at Reynolds Theater in the Bryan Center.
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