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Ferndale Brings in the Troupes for Detroit Improv Festivalctechad

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 8, 2013)

The troupes have descended on Ferndale!  Over 200 improv comedians (who often work together in pairs or small teams called troupes) are in town for the annual Detroit Improv Festival, which takes place throughout Ferndale from Aug. 7-11.  Locations include Go Comedy, The Ringwald, Como’s, and the Rust Belt Market.  And the entertainment includes both improv shows and workshops.

Troupes come from all around the US and Canada, providing a variety of characters to keep audiences rolling in laughter.

Toronto-based 2-Man No-Show is “absurd and unpredictable” comedy from a duo seen at improv festivals all over the world.  Using their charismatic charm, manic delivery, and balls to the walls JudyPalmer01physicality, 2-MAN NO-SHOW creates a whimsical and fantastical world of heart-felt characters connecting in genuine and hilariously unexpected ways.

Bearded Men from Minneapolis tout that they “Create characters both hilarious and engaging. Discover a story where there was only a scene. We invite audiences to “bust a gut” laughing, to grab their seats with anticipation, or to wipe away a tear if so moved… Join us on an epic journey of heart-warming proportions!”

Another delightful duo is Hipsterpotamus from Pittsburg. Cassie Brehmer and Connor McCanlus hail from Steel City Improv Theater, where they also host a monthly show for other duos called Double Play.

And of course there are Ferndale favorites, like Forever Fifteen, featuring Joe Hingelberg & Travis Pelto of Ferndale, MI. The two have been improvising together since the age of 15, and were lucky enough to have a high school improv club where they met. Both have been improvising, writing, gallowaycollensand performing together and separately since then. Their improv sets are a reflection of this history: fast paced scenes, big, dynamic characters and high energy sets are the norm between the two. Forever Fifteen can be seen performing at Go Comedy! Improv Theater regularly every other Sunday night, and the duo has written shows together like Joe vs. The Travis, White Elephant, and the award winning Wirelessless.

Legend Has, with members from Ferndale,  is an improvised show that uses motifs of folk and fairy tales in order to create and perform original stories for a live audience. Timeless and imaginative, the lore of Legend Has It is accessible and entertaining to anyone who has ever heard a story told. Witness the creation of such stories as ‘The Flannel Princess’, ‘The Haunted Gnome Village’, and ‘The Enchanted Ikea Loveseat’

Check out the schedule below, and go to the official website at http://detroitimprovfestival.org for more information!

Full Schedule

Wednesday, August 7th

08:00 PM: B.I.T.S. Finale

Festival Kick-Off!

07:00 PM: Detroit Creativity Project + Celebrity Soapbox featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and TV personality Charlie LeDuff and a cast of amazing improvisers
The Kick-Off show will take place at the Boll Family YMCA located at 1401 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

Thursday, August 8th

08:00PM: Iguanatron + Purple Monkey Dishwasher + Cackowski & Talarico
10:00PM: Hypeman + The Writer’s Room + Holiday Road
12:00AM: Festival After Party!

Friday, August 9th

Saturday, August 10th

1:30PM The Family Friendly Improv Show (more details will follow)
3:00PM A.D.D. Podcast with Dave Razowsky and Ian Foley featuring Special Guests (location TBD)

11:00AM – 3:00PM Detroit Improv Festival Barbeque (FREE)
1:30PM: The Family Friendly Improv Show (FREE)
04:30PM: Geeking Out with Razowsky and Clifford: The Hardcore, Kickass TALK SHOW (FREE)
07:30PM: 2-Man No-Show + machine A + Gayle
09:30PM: Hugs & Pullups + RuBin + RN & Cawls
11:30PM: Human Amusements + Dutch + Well Known Strangers