The On the Spot improv troupe — back, from left, Lizzie Wolfe, Rod Cachola; center, from left, Garrick Paikai, Chris Howard, Chris Riel; front, Meredith Desha — was loosely inspired by the shenanigans on TV's "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" The Central O'ahu-based troupe will perform Saturday.

"For instance, we'll launch, in the improv style, a new game called 'I Shot the Sheriff,' which will be a guessing game where you figure out how some famous person died. In another game, we'll do his greatest hits."

With former fellow students Rod Cachola, Meredith Desha, Chris Howard, Chris Riel and Lizzie Wolfe from Leeward Community College, Paikai said that On the Spot — loosely inspired by the shenanigans on TV's "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" — still will take audience suggestions, then formulate a sustained show, attempting to create a cohesive and comedic evening by the time they take their curtain bows.

"To me, improv is free, one of the most liberating experiences you can have," said Paikai. "As audience, you suggest whatever comes to your mind; for me, as an improv actor, the realness comes out when I'm performing (to cues) from the audiences. With On the Spot, we see ourselves as punk-rock musicians, more than theater people, because when we come on stage, we're jumping, we're loud, we got energy."

"And because we consider ourselves 'musicians,' we have to practice like musicians. Only, we practice our gaming structure, working on certain rules, to get the basic free-form going," said Paikai.

Essentially, the group has guidelines.

"First, and one of the most important, is that we always agree with our partners (performers)," said Paikai.

"Another rule: You always listen to your partners — one of the most important rules of improv.

"And lastly, never be afraid to say what's on your mind."

Paikai hones his style and heightens his grasp of off-the-cuff suggestions by watching a lot of TV, keeping up with movies, reading the newspaper, simply trying to get the handle on the latest buzz.

"You have to know what's out there," he said of what might become possible show fodder from the audience.

Since 1998, he has performed with other improv groups, such as Loose Screws and Mental Tilapia, and he helped launch an improv workshop at Leeward under the tutelage of drama professor Paul Cravath.

"I read a lot of books on the topic and took workshops myself," he said. "But with Loose Screws, I gained enough confidence to start a workshop myself."

His colleagues have links with Leeward and also have day jobs — comedy doesn't quite pay the rent yet, he said.

"I work part-time for Blockbuster at Kapolei, and my employer's very understanding and cool with me," he said. "When I have a gig, I ask not to be put on the work schedule, and they've been very good about it."

Folks coming in for film rentals have been recognizing him, since he appeared with Ray Bumatai's Mental Tilapia show on Oceanic 16.

On the Spot appeals to a young and hip audience, said Paikai, so the troupe is intent on targeting issues and themes familiar to twentysomethings.

"I think we're a bit more in tune with the younger pop-culture crowd, in terms of what music they're listening to and what movies they watch," he said.

As a rule, the actors "try not to be raunchy," particularly because their mixed crowds might include youthful ears. "But certain things our audiences suggest ... we have to go there and be unafraid, but we try to control the language."

Because of the impromptu format, Paikai said that even the same suggestions from different crowds result in fresh viewing experiences.

"Every show is different," he said. "Mostly because we try to approach repeating themes in different ways."

For the Marley experiment, the group has invited guitarist Keone Kaawa to join the cast, because there will be singing in addition to the comedics.

"Keone will bring along a drum machine, so he can program the music to make it sound like a live band. As I said, I think On the Spot is like a musical group — and for this show, we will have music, too," said Paikai.

"Bob's legacy influences all people, not just musicians; his music is rebellious, poignant and entertaining, the same qualities we strive to achieve in our improv shows."