Mississippi State University’s Lab Rats Comedy will perform its first show of the new semester August 25 at 8 p.m. on the McComas mainstage.

Lab Rats is MSU’s only improvisational troupe and performs several shows each semester.

The shows are made up of a sketch usually split into two parts. The first part is typically a video sketch and plays at the beginning of the show. The second part is a live sketch performed after intermission.

This first show of the semester is titled “Lab Rats: Rebranding.”

Brock St. Clair, Lab Rats sketch director, said creating a show theme and sketches comes pretty easily.

“We have a lot of really creative and funny people in Lab Rats so pitching ideas is a lot of fun,” St. Clair said. “Once we’ve got the idea though, the whole process of writing a script, making it funny, filming, editing, etc. has typically taken about a week.”

“We are working hard to bring higher production value to our sketches this year, so I see the time frame getting a bit longer,” St. Clair said. “It’s a good thing, though. We have a whole lot of funny stuff planned, and I could not be more excited.”

Mary Bess Nicholson, Lab Rats technical director, said one of her jobs is to pick the music for the shows, which she tries to associate with the theme as closely as possible.

“I also play the video sketches, work lights and sound for mainstage shows, and help with set up and break down,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson said with the first show, changes are being made which led to the idea of “rebranding.”

“We’ve had a lot of people graduate and we’re adjusting to being a different troupe and starting to change the way we do certain things,” Nicholson said, “So that’s why it is ‘Rebranding.’”

Sara Kirkpatrick, treasurer and troupe member, said the first show is always a fun and exciting one.

“It is always fun because it is our first show together after a few months, so the vibe is always happy and excited to be back,” Kirkpatrick said. “The best part of being in Lab Rats is getting to hang out with some of the funniest and coolest people I know. Seriously, the people are all hilarious, and every time we get together, it is a blast.”

Most of Lab Rats’ shows are performed on the fourth floor of Mosley Hall, but the first and last performances are on the McComas mainstage.

St. Clair said there are pros and cons to performing in both settings, but the McComas stage brings something special.

“The McComas stage is a great place for a show for both the audience and performers,” St. Clair said. “As a performer especially, it’s a rush. There’s something to be said about the feeling of being in a real, true-to-form theatre. There’s that magic in the air, the respect between audience and cast.”

Students attending Friday’s show can expect to relax, laugh, have a good time and enjoy the comedic improv.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.