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 What do you get when you cross an interest in politics with a knack for comedy? Justin Tyler, of course.

As captain of Yodapez, Hamilton's improvisational comedy troupe, Justin coordinates the antics of some of the funniest students on campus. The only prerequisite is a willingness to be creative and crazy.

"While there are no formal rules in improv, we do have some guidelines," Justin said. "Always accept, never reject; show, don't tell; and never repeat what the last person said."

Now in its third year, Yodapez draws crowds of more than 300 at its performances. In the format of the popular television series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," the troupe takes cues from audience members who call out categories, such as "farmers" or "shoppers in Victoria's Secret," and watch as the scenes play out with the performers taking on roles totally unrehearsed.

A government/theatre double major, Justin is combining his interests with a study of radical street theatre, a form of comedy drawn from the political climate. He has applied for a Watson Fellowship and hopes to spend next year traveling to five countries to observe street performances and talk with the actors. "I am interested in theatre as a political force and how it is used as a catalyst for changing attitudes," he said.

Justin came to Hamilton intending to study math or science, but, after taking "Stage Performance" on a whim, he was hooked on acting.

"The best moment for me came during a show last semester," Justin recalled. "I could sense that the audience was going to laugh even before I knew what I was going to say. It was a great feeling."

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