Teacher Stacey Cayton and student Tessa Northcutt perform on stage together Tuesday night as Paducah Improv teamed up with McImprov.
If laughter is the best medicine, guests at the children’s arts center in Benton got just what the doctor ordered Tuesday night. And members of Paducah Improv and McImprov didn’t script it that way.
Performers from the two groups teamed up for the first time this week to benefit students impacted by the Jan. 23 shooting at Marshall County High School. Stacey Cayton said her students wanted to help their fellow classmates.
Cayton is a teacher at MCHS, a member of Paducah Improv and adviser to McImprov students.
“Paducah Improv, they were wanting to do a show very soon after what happened in January because they really wanted to make a donation, they wanted to do something,” Cayton said. “They just did not feel like the time was right, so they waited a little bit.”
Paducah Improv has held fundraisers for other causes in the past, and performed outside of McCracken County. Tuesday night marked the first time they were able to partner with MCHS students and perform in Benton.
Cayton said funds raised Tuesday night would go to benefit MCHS students and families. She thanked Paducah Improv performers for donating their time, and the Marshall County Children’s Arts Center for providing space.
Kyle Washburn and an ecstatic Cameron King perform “Benton’s Got Talent.”
The groups performed for nearly two hours, utilizing audience participation, characters created on the spot and Tater Day references. The troupes even managed to bring to life the ‘beast of Land Between the Lakes.’
Cayton isn’t the only Paducah Improv cast member with Marshall County ties. Kyle Washburn is an MCHS graduate residing in Calvert City who performs regularly with the Paducah troupe. Washburn said both improv groups try to support each other.
“I grew up here,” Washburn said. “I still live here, even though I work in Paducah. I had family and friends that were at the school just like everybody here.
Washburn said he hoped the night helped as the community continues to heal.
“To give back and make people laugh after everything we’ve been through of late, it’s everything,” Washburn said. “Laughter helps heal, so that’s what we want to do. That’s what we’re great at. With me being from here, it just makes it that much more special that I get to see friends and family in the audience laughing along with people that needed a laugh.”
Paducah Improv regularly performs at the Market House Theater in Paducah on Saturdays.
Marshall County High School student Andrew Miller (front) performs while fellow improvers (from left) Ellie English, Claudia Harris and DJ Wood watch on.
Jesse Barfield of Paducah Improv carries Isaiah Abell of McImprov across the stage at the Marshall County Children’s Arts Center on Tuesday.