The performances range from Charlie Brown to Sherlock Holmes.

But on Friday night, the atmosphere at South Kitsap High School’s theater was a little more relaxed.

Instead reciting lines they memorized, students performed two hours of comedy in front of more than 500 attendees at Improv Night.

Skits mocked celebrities such as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, but acting ensemble instructor Scott Yingling said it was done in good taste unlike several “raunchy films” produced in recent years.

“I would have no problems sending my 5 year old to Improv Night,” he said. “I like to say that anyone from 2 to 92 (years old) can come and enjoy it.

“I always like how intelligent their comedy is.”

The performance was the second of the year. It initially was supposed to be the last — Yingling hosts one in fall, winter and spring — but the Feb. 17 performance was canceled because of inclement weather. Yingling said the final Improv Night will be held at 7 p.m. June 6. That also will be ensemble night.

“It’s a send-off night for seniors,” he said.

Yingling said those are among the few times students improvise during the year.

“As far as class time, we don’t spend much time with it,” he said. “Students are expected to come into class with experience in improv. Our class time is spent preparing them for collegiate and professional theater.”

Another atypical event for acting ensemble occurs at 7 p.m. May 29. Yingling said each student will write a 10-minute play that incorporates each member of the class. He said that performance, which enters its third year, stems from his theater background at Central Washington University.

“We get to collaboratively direct the show and bounce ideas off me,” Yingling said. “It’s what education is supposed to be.”