CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Many people like to hear a good joke, but some people like to make them. A few of those people are students in George Washington High School's improvisational comedy group, Batteries Not Included. The group started when Adam Jones, an English teacher and improv comedy instructor, came to the school.

"I have always been interested in comedy. I did improv in college," Jones said. "When I started working at the high school four years ago, I thought it would be cool to bring it to the high school.

"I started it my second year. It has helped me develop good relationships with my students. Teaching these kids helps me be less rigid and strict."

The group has a performance Dec. 14 in the school's auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. It's titled "Holiday of Doom: The Improvening!" Jones urges anyone who needs a laugh to come see it.

Admission is on a pay-what-you-can basis. Non-perishable food items for a local food drive are also accepted as an admission fee.

Jones said the group has a ritual of staying after school and eating pizza before performances. And regardless of how shows go, he's always pleased with them.

"If a performance does not go well, I am still swelled with excitement," he said. "I'm so proud of the students for getting in front of an audience and performing."

Batteries Not Included currently has 13 members. These talented comedians could not be happier that Jones created the group.

Senior Louis McQuaide said," I started my sophomore year. I started on good terms because I had Mr. Jones during my freshman year. He approached me and invited me to the try-outs. It has given me more confidence in my individuality."

Sophomore Madison Riffe beamed when she said, "I started improv my freshman year. I had done some theater stuff in middle school, but the idea of improvisational comedy sounded intriguing. I like to make people laugh.

"It's nice to come in once a week and share the experience with others who have the same interest in comedy," she added. "It has given me more confidence, and it has taught me to go with my gut."

This year, several new members joined the group. Try-outs were held in September.

"This is my first year doing it," said sophomore Kaden Richmond. "I did it because Madison [Riffe] was in it, and I thought I could do a good job. It makes me feel better in front of audiences."

Sophomore Virginia McGhee isn't new to the group, but she has a new role: Jones' co-host (also known as the "filthy assistant").

"I joined improv my freshman year," she said. "I had Mr. Jones as a teacher. I thought I could just do backstage stuff. I didn't really try out. I just came to meet new people. Since then, I've become a lot more open."

Freshman, Molly Plante, one of the new members, is looking forward to Friday's show, which is the group's first public performance of the year.

"I'm really optimistic for the show," she said. "I think it's going to be really good."