Hey there fellow Improv-er!
The idea I am about to propose is not something I can take credit for. Instead, I will give full credit to Improv Everywhere (www.improveverywhere.com) based out of NYC for entertaining me so much with their Missions that I have been inclined to try and start something of a similar idea here in Boston. I've done some research and while some groups have seemingly tried to start up something along these lines, I haven't caught wind of anyone being successful. So that's where this is different! If you are even remotely intrigued, I highly suggest you take a few minutes to enjoy their site. If you're anything like me, you'll end up so enthralled and spend the majority of a work day reading each and every one of their Missions. (But if my boss asks, that absolutely DID NOT happen.)
Long story short, Improv Everywhere "causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places" and I think Boston could use a little of this. The success of something like this is totally dependent on the participation of those involved. The great thing is, success can be achieved by very few people, or in large masses. Still confused? Missions by Improv Everywhere were as extreme as people riding the Subway without pants and synchronized swimming in public fountains to as "tame" as captivating overworked professionals after a hard day at work by allowing them to bear witness to the reconciliation of brothers who had been "separated at birth." They have "assisted" Best Buy by posing as helpful employees, gratuitously booked a 19th century (yes, you read correctly) author for the Barnes & Noble author series and ultimately confused a group of over-caffeinated Starbucks patrons and employees when they relived a series of events (a moebius) for a full hour! Sound fun? I think so!
Basically I'm trying to call together the troops, spark some interest in public displays of improvisation and see if we can get something along these lines going. And don't shy away because you don't think you have the time! Depending on interest I would aim for maybe one meeting a month and at most one mission a month! If it can be more than that, great! And if it can be only that then that's fine too. Also, the point is not to copy what Improv Everywhere has done to such perfection throughout NYC, rather follow in their footsteps with some new ideas that will give the city of Boston a good chuckle. If you read through their website you'll see very quickly that being particularly good at improv comedy is not necessarily important. While most of them have had training, I don't think that is necessarily key in pulling off these types of stunts. But, it would be a plus if you can restrain yourself from smiling and laughing in sometimes awkward or extremely comical scenarios, however, even then if you're terrible at that we could use people in-the-know to be around to participate when necessary in hopes of getting the true strangers involved. Large group Missions will require less acting and more individualized Missions can involve those who want to really take on a character. (For a good idea of this distinction check out the "Look Up More" Mission (group) and the "Amazing Hypnotist" Mission (individual)). And if that's STILL not appealing it would always be fun to have photos or maybe even video footage and that's where the role of "innocent bystander/undercover photographer" comes in! Basically, there is definitely something for everyone when it comes to this.
I have rallied a small starting group and we'd really like to get together and do some fun Improv activities to get the juices flowing and see if we can come up with a couple of good "starter missions." If you are interested, please drop me a quick e-mail so I can start putting together an e-mail group. We'd like to get together to meet and brainstorm sometime in the next couple of weeks, if possible. I'd also love to hear about any suggestions you might have or any help you might like to offer. This is all about fun & I hope you are as excited as I am about entertaining this city!
See you soon!
The idea I am about to propose is not something I can take credit for. Instead, I will give full credit to Improv Everywhere (www.improveverywhere.com) based out of NYC for entertaining me so much with their Missions that I have been inclined to try and start something of a similar idea here in Boston. I've done some research and while some groups have seemingly tried to start up something along these lines, I haven't caught wind of anyone being successful. So that's where this is different! If you are even remotely intrigued, I highly suggest you take a few minutes to enjoy their site. If you're anything like me, you'll end up so enthralled and spend the majority of a work day reading each and every one of their Missions. (But if my boss asks, that absolutely DID NOT happen.)
Long story short, Improv Everywhere "causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places" and I think Boston could use a little of this. The success of something like this is totally dependent on the participation of those involved. The great thing is, success can be achieved by very few people, or in large masses. Still confused? Missions by Improv Everywhere were as extreme as people riding the Subway without pants and synchronized swimming in public fountains to as "tame" as captivating overworked professionals after a hard day at work by allowing them to bear witness to the reconciliation of brothers who had been "separated at birth." They have "assisted" Best Buy by posing as helpful employees, gratuitously booked a 19th century (yes, you read correctly) author for the Barnes & Noble author series and ultimately confused a group of over-caffeinated Starbucks patrons and employees when they relived a series of events (a moebius) for a full hour! Sound fun? I think so!
Basically I'm trying to call together the troops, spark some interest in public displays of improvisation and see if we can get something along these lines going. And don't shy away because you don't think you have the time! Depending on interest I would aim for maybe one meeting a month and at most one mission a month! If it can be more than that, great! And if it can be only that then that's fine too. Also, the point is not to copy what Improv Everywhere has done to such perfection throughout NYC, rather follow in their footsteps with some new ideas that will give the city of Boston a good chuckle. If you read through their website you'll see very quickly that being particularly good at improv comedy is not necessarily important. While most of them have had training, I don't think that is necessarily key in pulling off these types of stunts. But, it would be a plus if you can restrain yourself from smiling and laughing in sometimes awkward or extremely comical scenarios, however, even then if you're terrible at that we could use people in-the-know to be around to participate when necessary in hopes of getting the true strangers involved. Large group Missions will require less acting and more individualized Missions can involve those who want to really take on a character. (For a good idea of this distinction check out the "Look Up More" Mission (group) and the "Amazing Hypnotist" Mission (individual)). And if that's STILL not appealing it would always be fun to have photos or maybe even video footage and that's where the role of "innocent bystander/undercover photographer" comes in! Basically, there is definitely something for everyone when it comes to this.
I have rallied a small starting group and we'd really like to get together and do some fun Improv activities to get the juices flowing and see if we can come up with a couple of good "starter missions." If you are interested, please drop me a quick e-mail so I can start putting together an e-mail group. We'd like to get together to meet and brainstorm sometime in the next couple of weeks, if possible. I'd also love to hear about any suggestions you might have or any help you might like to offer. This is all about fun & I hope you are as excited as I am about entertaining this city!
See you soon!