345 SE 5th, Madras, OR 97741 | 541.475.2275
Runge performs with comedy group
Alan Baird, left, Eric Runge, Rebecca Medley and Christopher Huizar perform comedy at the Madras Elks Lodge.
Madras native Eric Runge's new group "ComedyLite" gave its initial performance July 17, at the Madras Elks Lodge to an appreciative audience of 75 people.
The Portland performers included Runge, Amy Gray, Ralyn Miller, Les Ico, Brooke Chamberlain, Christopher Huizar, and Alan Baird.
"We performed different comedy games, using suggestions from the audience as a springboard for the scenes. We also had a number of audience volunteers come up on stage and perform with us, which the rest of the audience loved," Runge said.
A 1995 graduate of Madras High School, Runge said he was in the band, not drama productions in high school, and later earned a music arts degree in percussion.
The idea to perform came after he moved to Portland. "Comedy was an interest I always had when I saw a live show like this. I love entertaining people and somehow am able to make people laugh," Runge said.
The type of comedy his group did at the Elks Lodge is called "group improv comedy," where actors create funny scenes based on words thrown out by the audience.
Runge said he is a member of another comedy organization in Portland and formed ComedyLite by selecting "the best of the best" from that group.
"We would like to bring another show over to Madras in the late fall," he said.
Anyone wanting more information may contact Runge at 541-460-3098.