Improv Everywhere

When speaking of innovation and unusual, original creativity in the theatre, one simply cannot leave out the profound (and perhaps prolific) acheivements of the now large-scale organization Improv Everywhere.  Since August 2001, this prank-based collective based out of New York City has been staging scenes in public places to delight and, of course, completely baffle their unexpecting audiences. 

Last November, the group sent an 11 year-old boy wearing globally recognizable glasses pushing a cart full of luggage with an owl on top into Penn Station to ask passengers and staff where he could possibly find platform 9 3/4.  The stunt was complete with the boy taking a running start at the pillar between platforms 9 and 10.

The famous Harry Potter on a quest to find Platform 9 3/4 in a
crowded Penn Station. / Via: ImprovEverywhere.com

 

 Many other famous literary and film characters have been let loose on the public by the collective, including Gandalf the Grey, who felt compelled to stand atop Bow Bridge in Central Park to keep pedestrians from passing.

Improv Everywhere also organizes grand-scale stunts.  Perhaps the most impressive of these was the staging of over 200 actors suddenly freezing mid-movement at the exact same time for five minutes in Grand Central Station.

 

Over 200 actors freeze simultaneously in Grand Central Station
for a stunt put on by Improv Everywhere. / Via: ImprovEverywhere.com

 

To say the least, Improv Everywhere certainly lives up to their tag-line: "We Cause Scenes."  To enjoy more of their stunts, check out their website at www.ImprovEverywhere.com.