Our Mission:
"To bring the art of improvisation to the forefront of American Theater."
FACE features an instrumental jazz quartet that, from a single audience suggestion, creates an original "score" on the spot while 6 actors weave a 45 minute, fully improvised show of music, motion, comedy, and dramatic theater.
Unlike other improv shows, many of which have no musical element whatsoever, FACE's live music is instrumental to its direction. The music not only provides the background to the action, but now flourishes in the foreground with the actors. A musical "key change" can lead to an actor's motivational shift and a crescendo by the band can induce a climax in dialogue and in relationships. In turn, the actors' movement, speech, and spatial relationships with one another can inspire a direct musical translation and interpretation of tonal sound. Music and acting are together on the same page which is ultimately the same stage.
FACE has been collaboratively developed with everyone's strengths in mind. The individial talents of the group have become one to create and weave narratives and abstracts for their audience to experience and enjoy. The shows are comedic, musical, tragic, and often profound, and are a true celebration of the art of improvisation.
Our History:
The story of FACE began when Duncan Murdoch was cast in the new and primal show called "Echo" in 2006 which was created by Deanna Fleysher and Mark Grenier. This show involved the playing of popular music during improvisational acting and movement. After a much acclaimed run at the Magnet Theater and with an indefinite break, Duncan sought to continue with the exciting integration of not only music and acting, but LIVE music and acting. A key success of this idea hinged on the finding of a close-knit group of Eastman School of Music jazz graduates who were gigging emphatically in NYC and beyond. An assemblage of improvisers gathered at a musician's home in March '07 and began an exploratory series of weird, sometimes awkward and often times hilarious and rowdy sessions much to the neighbors' chagrin. Soon after, Deanna Fleysher from "Echo" joined to provide her unique and poignant direction for the group to begin their first run of shows at the People's Improv Theater. After a year of performing in venues across NYC, and with their acceptance into the FringeNYC, FACE brought on producer Richard Mazda of the Secret Theater, who has proven to be an invaluable resource to the group.
Past Shows:
- Bowery Poetry Club, NYC - Hannah's Benefit Show, Jun '08
- Galapagos Art Space, NYC - Monthly residency from Dec '07 through April '08
- Knitting Factory, NYC - Mar '08
- The Tank, NYC - Oct '07
- The Magnet Theater, NYC - Residency, late Sep '07 through Oct '07
- The Annex, NYC - Jul '07 (Leukemia benefit)
- People's Improv Theatre, NYC - Jun '07 (EAG Benefit)
- People's Improv Theatre, NYC - Residency, Fridays in Jun '07
