Minneapolis Improv Boards

[jillybee72]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Butch Roy
butch@hugetheater.com


FOURTH ANNUAL TWIN CITIES IMPROV FESTIVAL

Minneapolis, MN - Matthew Craig returns to Minnneapolis to headline the Twin Cities Improv Festival, but he's not alone.  The Brave New Workshop alum whose gone on to great success at Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles is bringing with him his partner Frank Caeti, best known for his work on MADtv.  Their duo, "Frankenmatt" is one of 27 groups performing over three days - Thursday June 24-Sunday June 27. 
The Twin Cities Improv Festival is now in its fourth year.  "It's amazing," said Director of Education Jill Bernard.  "The response thus far has been overwhelmingly positive.  Groups from other parts of the country love coming here.  They're impressed by the size and passion of our audiences, and they love the city and the theater.  They also fall in love with the local improv community."

TCIF features the Reckoning from Chicago, consistently one of the best improv teams in the country.  Apollo 12 from Phoenix AZ brings a decade of experience rocking the stage to the festival, and Rare Bird Show from Philadelphia, PA is sure to charm with their quirky sensibility.  
Dangerbox from NYU proves that college improv can be world class.  Stripper's Picnic from Chicago is as funny and twisted as their name. Austin, TX has loaned us two incredible groups for the weekend: Parallelogramophonograph presents theatrical improv that's as fun as it is stylish, and Confidence Men presents improvised Mamet with uncanny facility.  
Denver's Dishwater Blondes string a fascinating chain of characters.  Darby Lane, a festival favorite, returns from Los Angeles by popular demand. Storybox from Chicago presents the story behind the story in an inventive and magical form. SCRAM pairs local favorite Jill Bernard with improv legend Joe Bill of the Annoyance Theater in Chicago.   

The very best of Minneapolis improv is represented as well, from familiar names like Stevie Ray's and the Brave New Workshop, to hidden local gems like Gay Straight Alliance and Foterson. Fingergun, What If?, ComedySportz, Rampleseed, Drum Machine, Five Man Job, Splendid Things, Ferrari McSpeedy, HUGE, Mustache Rangers, and Beatbox-Minneapolis are scheduled throughout the weekend.

The festival will take place at the Brave New Workshop.  "We're so grateful to them," said Bernard.  "They've been so wonderful and supportive."  Tickets are $12, multi-passes are available.  Information about tickets, the complete schedule - and about workshops in improvisation, including a beginning workshop perfect for the merely curious - is available at http://www.twincitiesimprovfestival.com or call 612-332-6620.
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Photo.  "Second City and Brave New Workshop alum Matt Craig and MADtv's Frank Caeti headline the Fourth Annual Twin Cities Improv Festival" http://www.flickr.com/photos/365days/4640382942/sizes/o

Photo by Ryan Haro.  "Ferrari McSpeedy, local favorites, return to the Twin Cities Improv Festival" http://www.flickr.com/photos/365days/4639742655/sizes/o/
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I could be wrong.

[hellendrung]

What kind of press coverage is TCIF getting? Anything apart from calendars in local papers/websites?
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One day in the candy factory is all I ask.

[jillybee72]

Butch has done interviews with a couple papers, the MN Daily and the Star Tribune I think? MPLSTV also interviewed him. The Highland Villager interviewed Splendid Things. The Onion did a nice little picks piece: http://www.avclub.com/twincities/articles/the-twin-cities-improv-festivals-most-fabulous-fab,42382

I dunno what else. We send out the press releases. Ugh.
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I could be wrong.