Improv Everywhere
From CT4CT: Creative Tools for Critical Times
Improv Everywhere is a performance collective based in New York City. It was formed in 2001 by Charlie Todd and its slogan is "We Cause Scenes." The group has planned and executed over 80 missions involving thousands of "undercover agents" (participants).
According to Charlie Todd:
In August of 2001, I went out to a West Village bar with my college buddies Brandon Arnold and Jon Karpinos. On a whim we decided to pull a prank where I would pose as musician Ben Folds. Three hours later, “Ben Folds” was drinking on the house surrounded by women and his “two big fans” were thrown out of the bar for “stealing Ben Folds’ wallet”. I had always been a prankster, but this experience enlightened me as to how far a prank could be taken. As an actor new to the city, I discovered I could create my own theatre rather than waiting around for someone to give me stage time. I got tired of telling the story to friends, so I typed it up and put it on the web. Improv Everywhere was born.
