IMPROV COMEDY TROUPE OFF ON A NEW `TANGENT'.

Byline: P. CATHERINE SHANKS Community Columnist

An improv troupe of seven young adults known as Tangent perform ``I'm Holding My Fat Now?'' today at the Thousand Oaks Art Council Center.

Steve Connell of Thousand Oaks is the head comedian and creator of Tangent, a 3-year-old group composed mainly of college students from Simi Valley and the Conejo Valley.

Connell believes Tangent is more than just another comedy act.

``Comedians have social responsibility,'' said Connell. ``It's important that we recognize that and work to have a positive impact on people.''

It will have to be left to the audience to determine what the social impact of a show titled, ``I'm Holding My Fat Now!'' might be. For Connell, whose immediate family is steeped in a deep tradition of social work, there is no question his outrageous production will change lives.

``If you make people laugh, they don't realize they're learning something and being affected,'' Connell said. ``You have to try to improve the lives of people around you with whatever tools you have available.''

Liana Allday, Jennifer Castle, Ryan Gesell, Joseph Pisani, Jeremy Resnick and Joe Sanfelippo are the funny young men and women who comprise the troupe. The quick-thinking group members are always quipping, looking to strike the funny bone. When reading their written biographies, one can almost hear the rim shots.

Allday, it is noted, is headed for stardom, assuming she is pointed in the right direction. Gesell claims to have been hiding in Simi Valley as part of the witness protection program. He requests no one divulge this highly confidential information. Pisani has recently entered the period in his life which scholars are said to refer to as, ``funny time.'' Castle claims that she felt there was a little actress inside her for some time, only to be dismayed when she discovered it was a bad reaction to Thai food. The remaining biographical notes continue along the same vein.

Tangent mixes preset sketch material with on-the-spot improvisations in ``I'm Holding My Fat Now!'' Throughout the show, Connell and the others attempt to dig down to the deepest inner soul and psyche and draw out whatever might reside there. Connell views improvisation as an ideal form of acting.

``Once you're on, you play every single role theater has to offer,'' said Connell. ``You create it in the moment.''

Connell said Tangent wants to show people that, though the art form can be a lot of fun, improvisation is more than a mere child's game. Tangent is in the midst of planning an entire improvisation play which Connell hopes will dispel the ``fun and games'' perception.

Ryna Gesell agreed with Connell. ``Improvisation is a way to use your mind and keep you on your toes.''

Gesell said the ability to act and speak on a dime is beneficial in business, in immediate crisis situations and in other areas of life.

Presenting a quality performance is important to Tangent. Connell wastes no energy worrying about comparing the work of Tangent with its competition. Instead, he prefers to apply valuable group energy to improving and perfecting the group.

``To be better than the others doesn't mean you're necessarily that good,'' said Connell. ``Let's work within ourselves to be as good as we can be.''

At the same time, the members of the comedy troupe know where the chips of the breakaway furniture fall, and which side of the rubber bread is buttered.

``We try to play on all levels - to do an intelligent sketch next to a mindless sketch,'' said Connell.

Gesell rates the ``I'm Holding My Fat Now!'' show a PG-13.

Tangent often performs for little or no money, donating its meager profits to charities. At some performances, the improv troupe offers a discounted admission when canned food is contributed. Tangent is scheduled to perform a Jan. 30 fund-raiser for the Simi Valley B'nai Emet Men's Club.

THE FACTS

WHAT: ``I'm Holding My Fat Now!''

WHEN: The show runs weekends, today through Jan. 17. All shows begin at 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Arts Council Center, 482 Greeenmeadow Ave. in Thousand Oaks.

INFORMATION: Admission is $5 at the door. For tickets and information, call the Tangent hotline at [phone].