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if Laurie Graham didn’t already recognize the deep-rooted devotion her students have to improvisation, she certainly does now. Facing a lengthy leave of absence after breaking both her elbows in a nasty spill last fall, Milton District High School's drama teacher wasn't sure her im- prov team would be able to sus- tain the same level of cohesion and presentation that had taken them to the national championships four of the previous five years. After all, the group had four new members â€" including two ninth Milton District High‘ recentl on the To graders â€" and sudden- y “trophy for. ly had no coach. "I thought this might have to be a rebuilding year,” admitted Graham. ”It was like 'OK, may- be we’ll have to take a step back. I wasn’t sure we’d even make it past zones.” Milton District’s improv team returning to national stage By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF So much for modest expectations. No sooner did Graham get injured â€" returning in Jan- uary after missing pretty much the entire first se- mester â€" than one of her alumni stepped in to keep the school's quick-thinking the- atrics running smoothly. Part of last year’s squad that cracked the top-five at the Canadian improv Games’ (CIG) national showcase in Ottawa, Sydney Crowe took over as head coach â€" rear- ranging her work schedule in order to do so. That plus some occasionally guidance from a number of nprov team other improv team gradu- to Regional . , ethird time. ates helped get this years contingent 'tournament ready.’ Proof of that was offered late last month durâ€" ing a trip to the Al Green Theatre, where MD reigned supreme at the CIG Toronto Region- als. ED