The Vagabond Acting Troupe has been hard at work training up an improv troupe made of local students, and after two showcase performances, the troupe is taking on a full length improv murder mystery.
Film Noir Murder Mystery Comedy Improv will be presented as two nights of BYO Dinner Theater, May 2 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30) and Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:30). Directed by Dutch Blitzkrieg Founding Artistic Director, Joanne Mercer, the comedy turn on the film noir genre will provide three original performances, each night including information provided by the audience!
Featuring team members Zack Walker, Mary O’Donnel, Jack Founds, Tia Wilkin, Tim Elliot and Rachel Wilkin, the comedy includes the standard ‘stereotypical’ movie mystery characters, which encounter (in the audience’s presence) a murder! Audience members provide information to the actors to help them create an original mystery each night. And who knows, the audience might even be included in the ‘action.’
Mercer, who is a founding ensemble member of the Vagabond Acting Troupe, has spent several years studying with various improv companies, including the renowned company at the 2nd City in Chicago. Founding her own company, Dutch Blitzkrieg, Mercer also regularly does live improv theater with the Stroudsberg Railroad’s train robbery series
‘I am amazed at the talent involved. Vagabond Acting Troupe’s staff has really trained these kids well,’ says Mercer, who was a founding ensemble member of the troupe 20 years ago, but has just returned recently as improv instructor. ‘As a teacher, I did not anticipate laughing so hard, for so long, at every creative rehearsal.’
Tickets can be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com, or with check or cash through a cast member in advance, and at the door. The company encourages advanced purchase due to ease of processing payments through online ticketing service.
Following right on the heals of Film Noir Mystery Improv will be the Youth Workshop production of Twelve Dancing Princesses, May 9 and 10, and Jason Robert Brown’s 13 The Musical on May 29 through June 1. Free Summer Camps begin June 16 – with camps running through the beginning of August, 2014. For information on the company’s performance at the Arts House or to reserve tickets, visit www.vagabondactingtroupe.org or call 610-286-5567.