Meet Skyline High’s Improv Troupe, the Skyline Slylines

The Skyline Slylines are the official improv troupe of Skyline High School, and are most known for hosting the annual improv festival that brings in other troupes and instructors from across the state to Skyline. The group also competes in festivals themselves, hosts improv cage matches and workshops, and contributes widely to Utah’s improv scene. The team is lead by Skyline’s theater teacher, Mr. Rogan, who is also in an improv troupe of his own. The team has travelled across the state and country to compete in competitions, recently placing first in the “Ye Olde Improv Competition” in Cedar City.

Britton Gardner, the 2018-2019 team’s captain, leads five other experienced Skyline students through their festivals and competitions. Britton’s sure to emphasize that he loves being on the team with his friends. Gardner said, “I most enjoy the opportunity to travel and perform as a team on such a consistent basis with my friends,” he said.

Britton also takes a lot of pride in leading the team, saying that one of the things that makes him proud to be the captain is “our ability to compete well against professional teams.” and “Winning the largest high school improv competition in the Western US was also an incredibly proud moment.” The team is often praised for their ability to compete confidently against adult teams who have years of experience.

Gardner also shared that they “have an incredible team dynamic you just don’t find in other teams.” This is what makes the team able to compete confidently with each other, as well as the fact that they’re all close friends.

The troupe competes at two competitions in Utah, and two professional festivals, one in Utah and one in Los Angeles, Orange County Improv Festival. Gardner described the event as “amazing, just because of the exposure to excellent art in LA.”

During the first week of December, the team and the rest of the drama department hosted their third “Skyline Smash” of the year. These “smashes” span two days and include slam poetry, an improv cage match, and workshops.