30 | FALL 2023
the MIRROR
| ENTERTAINMENT |
THE MIRROR | GIANNA IOVINO
Unscripted: Improv Club exercises creativity
BY MIA RODRIGUEZ
S
THE MIRROR STAFF
MUSK-RAT Gazillionaire
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tanding in front of her English class, she could practically feel everyone’s stares. Having left her flashcards at home, junior Addison Cudd couldn’t remember what talking point came next in her presentation. Calling on her improvisational training, she maintained her composure as the class fired questions at her. With a smile on her face, she successfully improvised the rest of her report, knowing she had VNHS Improv Club to thank. Cudd has always had a passion for being on stage and a talent for comedy and making bold choices, so she was more than enthusiastic to sign up for the club. Since joining in her freshman year, Cudd has seen team members come and go. This year, she is one of the club’s presidents. Cudd says the club harbors a safe and non-judgmental community that is full of laughter. The group works hard to form a strong team and often does team-building exercises to grow the community. “It’s a good feeling knowing you’re a leader of something bigger than yourself and a leader of a group of people as passionate about the club as you are,” she said. With a specialty for thinking on their feet and an avid love for theater, the team is a force to be reckoned with. Even when there’s an audience watching, if the team messes up, they swiftly recover from their mistakes. Junior Emily Chavez, co-president of the club, believes that it has changed her life. When she joined, she was shy and quiet. But over the years, improv has helped her gain confidence and find her voice.
It’s a good feeling knowing you’re a leader of something bigger than yourself and a leader of a group of people as passionate about the club as you are.”
AMUSING AD-LIB The Improv Club creates a
Through her time in the club, Chavez has seen how much it has grown. But she knows there is a long way to go before Improv Club reaches its full potential. “Our club used to be tiny with barely any people, and we built it up from that,” she said. “When I think of Improv Club, I remember that we are a team built on the legacy of the past members. We have now made it to a point where Improv Club we can do more shows and Co-President competitions, and I like to Addison Cudd remember just how big of a change that is from when it was first founded. There are many positive changes this club has brought to my life and I think about that a lot.” The Improv Club’s broader mission plan is to continue growing, and to make the club better known and no longer hidden from the public eye. Next semester, they plan to attend a few competitions thanks to Performing Arts Magnet Coordinator Ms. Fanny Arana. Club director and sponsor Mr. Angelino Simbulan has been a great help. Back when he worked at Manual Arts High School, Mr. Simbulan taught an improv class and was the coach of the school’s ComedySportz team, which competed against other schools. Under his leadership, the Manual Arts ComedySportz team won many district-level competitions. At the start of his first year, Mr. Simbulan heard that the
passionate community where students can have fun thinking on their feet and creating lines on the fly.
Improv Club was in need of a coach and teacher sponsor. Having plenty of experience, he jumped at the opportunity. “Mr. Simbulan is really helpful and without him we couldn’t have gotten a lot of resources,” Chavez said. “This is the first year that we are a separate entity from ComedySportz. We’re our own club now, and so far, he has been very helpful getting us t-shirts and letting us lead.” The club’s small fanbase makes them feel well-supported. Not only do they have Mr. Simbulan’s support, but they also have that of Ms. Arana. Since she herself was an Improv Club member back in middle school, she has been very supportive towards the community. “Ms. Arana has been awesome towards giving us opportunities and being supportive,” Mr. Simbulan said. “As a whole, improv does get pushed aside, but I like to think it will only expand as we expand.” Sophia Hillestad is a proud and dedicated member of the Improv Club. They say that the club is about more than just having weekly meetings and playing improv games. It’s about making new friends. “The improv team has impacted my life in such a positive way,” Hillestad said. “I believe it can positively impact the lives of anyone who wants to try out.” The club will be hosting a show on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. During the show, the audience will choose games, evaluate players and determine scores as two teams of five players face off against each other. People interested in attending can buy tickets in Room 412, at the door or from any VNHS Improv Club member for $5.
El Cocinero Restaurant makes vegan food taste like a delicacy By Mia Rodriguez
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THE MIRROR STAFF
he San Fernando Valley is home to dozens of Mexican restaurants and a plethora of Mexican cuisines. Classic burritos, tacos and enchiladas are piled high with meats, cheeses and sour cream. This is not exactly ideal for someone who’s vegan. Located at 6265 Sepulveda Blvd, El Cocinero Restaurant is the first vegan restaurant in the Valley. The permanent location opened in 2017. The restaurant serves delicious vegan food which tastes extremely authentic. El Cocinero’s meals are scrumptious and nutrient packed; some of my personal favorites are the burritos, loaded fries and horchatas.
Although items on the menu taste like they have real meat inside, they truly are vegan. This gives the dishes a satisfying taste and a new, healthy perspective. The founder of El Cocinero, Alex Vargas, became vegan nine years ago. When creating the beloved vegan cuisine people taste today, Vargas took inspiration from traditional Mexican flavors. Once he had enough dishes to create a menu, he opened a food truck, which he ran for several years before officially settling in Van Nuys. Many of his friends were perplexed when tasting his food, not knowing it was vegan. Most of the “meats” are actually pristine and delicious soybean or jackfruit. The nuanced flavors are outstanding, and the menu gives a wide variety of options to
COURTESY | EL COCINERO
VEGAN DELICIOUSNESS A tasty vegan Mexican restaurant on Sepulveda Boulevard, El Cocinero is a great pick for an afterschool snack.
vegans and non-vegans alike. Items are more costly than non-vegan options at other restaurants, but El Cocinero is well worth the buck.
Although I am not typically a fan of vegan food, the restaurant opened me up to a world of new flavors. In the three years the restaurant has been open, it’s become extremely popular. This is not only because of its vegan options, but also because it serves authentic Mexican food, unlike Taco Bell and other fast food chains that claim they serve Mexican food. Overall, my experience with El Cocinero has been a game changer. The vegan Mexican cuisine blew me away, and knowing that the restaurant is near campus only adds to the long list of reasons why it’s worth a visit. El Cocinero Restaurant | 6265 Sepulveda Blvd., Unit 12, Van Nuys, CA 91411 elcocinerorestaurant.business.site
