Apollo 12Like the brave men who flew to the moon in their namesake, Apollo 12 believes in always exploring the limits of the form. Coming from shortform game based roots, the troupe has moved towards more experimental formats as they return for their fourth year at PIF. Working with their audiences to build new shows, Apollo 12 hopes to continue moving towards being part of a strong Phoenix improv community.
BareBare is two men who perform with the energy and presence of a 10-person group - a ten-person group with some acrobats, a fire-eater, and a rock band in there somewhere. Their show starts with a single audience suggestion, and from that tiny seed they grow an improvisational tornado of extraordinary characters, extraordinary situations, and usually at least one impersonation of a live animal.
Barren MindArizona State University has been home to Barren Mind Improv for twelve years and still counting. The group has been entertaining campus visitors for years with their regular shows and participation in the Sun Devil Comedy Festival every year. Alumni from BMI's past have helped build Phoenix into the improv city it is.Barren Mind is joining the Phoenix Improv Festival for the First time in 2006.
CogOften times something will start out as one thing and end up as another. Masterpiece paintings created by accident, a short trip to the gym becomes a life-changing adventure and a small group of improv presarios become a mighty group blowing away crowds week after week. Forged from the improv mills of Second City Chicago, Improv Olympic and the sequin mines of Nashville, Cog fuses long-form improvisation, insatiable play and roar-out-loud funny.
ColdTowne HeroesColdtowne Heroes formed in March of 2005 from members of two Comedy Conservatory student teams in New Orleans, Louisiana. For several months, they performed weekly at one of the Crescent City’s premier theater venues, Le Chat Noir, becoming key players in the city’s budding comedy improvisation scene. Also one of the members can kick himself in the back of the head. Just ask him.
GalapagosPerhaps ironically, Galapagos is the next evolutionary step for many of Arizona's improvisors. Coming together from many improv styles and backgrounds, the members of Galapagos came together to do what they loved, longform improv. Working mainly in Harold, Deconstruction and Armando, the group loves any format that allows for some breakdown.
Great AdventureThe Great Adventure has been together in various incarnations since these fellows began performing together three years ago. In February 2005, the Adventure began it's residency at the Next Stage Theatre on Saturday nights. They invited their friends Knife Fight to perform with them and thus a great adventure was born.These kats keep it tight and then burn the house down with their kinetic, silly and thought-provoking style.
The GroupThe Group is a Collection of improvisors who have continued their practice after graduating from the LA Second City Conservatory Program. They have risen from a small workshop group to become the headlining team of graduates in Second City LA's weekly improvisational offering Your Wednesday Night Fourcast. The Group performs long-form imrpovisation with a loose structure that incorporates a diverse palette of influences.
The HookThe Hook was created from influences of Def poetry and musical improv. Other influences include the Armando and the Beatbox improv formats. It attempts to create an improvised production that feels like a poem. In order to accomplish this, the format relies on patterns, metaphors and symbolism. Interspersed between scenework are a capella music riffs that accompany improvised poetry.
The Jester'ZThe Jester'Comprised of professional actors, comedians, and stand up comics, The Jester'Z provide instant comedy made up on the spot! The audience plays an important role in each show: suggestions such as a name, a location, an attitude, an emotion, an accent, maybe a silly secret to be divulged all comes from YOU the Audience. Shows are family sensitive. All ages are welcome and there is no swearing or vulgarity.
JoKyR and JessterJoKyR and Jesster are Joseph Kyle Rogan and Jesse Parent, two of Utah's most prolific improvisers. Together they perform high stake, character driven improv with a combined experience of 18 years and a combined weight of 315 lbs. Working for the past 3 years as directors of the troupe Knock Your Socks Off (KYSOff) and sick of never getting stage time together, Joe and Jesse finally decided to perform as JoKyR and Jesster.
Men in ShirtsMen in Shirts is a two-person dramedy brought to you by co-creators Clifton Highfield and Chuck Charbeneau. Based on a single audience suggestion, Men in Shirts has become the vehicle for Clifton and Chuck to take each other and the audience whichever way their twisted minds see fit. Clifton is a Detroit native and Improv Olympic alumni. Chuck is a Detroit native, Improv Olympic alumni, and former student of Story Theatre with Paul Sills.
The Neutrino ProjectChicago and Detroit Neutrinos team up for the first time, right here in AZ. Through the use of multiple cameras crews and split second timing, Chicago Neutrino Project creates an hour-long theatrical movie experience in the time it takes the audience to watch it. The improvisation by the cast in real locations on video allows them a realism and immediacy very different from that possible in traditional theater.
New KevinWhat is New Kevin? New Kevin is an improv comedy group based in Tucson, Arizona. New Kevin specializes in a particular type of improvisation known as long-form. They are the only group in Tucson that is purely long-form. They hope to bring awareness of this style of improv to the greater Tucson community. They have not, nor have they ever been, card-carrying members of the Communist Party.
Nite TerrorsA cold sweat sheens your brow. Your heart races as you struggle to breathe in the thick, humid air that envelops you. Which way do you turn when every direction reveals a dark tunnel of fear? As you run through the wilderness, a cold finger brushes along the back of your neck, and you open your mouth to scream only to wake up quivering in the comfort and safety of your own bed. A simple nightmare? Not this time. This time, it's the Nite Terrors.
The OriginalsThe Originals are the Valley's newest, and most exciting improvisational comedy troupe. The troupe is made up of the cream of the Valley's new talent, as well as some of the longest performing and most successful improv veterans in Arizona. We combine a mixture of short-form and long-form improv and cutting edge sketch comedy. At an Originals show, you in the audience are the writers. You give us our raw material, and then we go to work.
The RemaindersThe Remainders are Phoenix's only improvised musical theatre group. Taking a single suggestion of "a title for a musical that has never been done," the troupe instantly creates an unscripted, unrehearsed, complete musical play before your eyes. Supported by the unique musical stylings of Mr. Shane Carey, "The Remainders" will show you something unlike anything you have seen or heard before.