Face Off Unlimited is an
improvisational comedy
Improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv or impro in British English, is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers. In its ...
production company based in New York City.
History
In 2003,
Jay Painter and Eric Robinson founded
Friday Night Face Off, a weekly improvised comedy show in
Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson, also known as Port Jeff, is an Administrative divisions of New York (state)#Village, incorporated village in the Administrative divisions of New York (state)#Town, town of Brookhaven, New York, Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New Y ...
, New York featuring two teams of comedic improvisers engaged in a mock competition, a concept originated by
Theatresports
Theatresports is a form of improvisational theatre, which uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect. Opposing teams can perform scenes based on audience suggestions, with ratings by the audience or by a panel of judges. Developed by di ...
. Friday Night Face Off (often abbreviated as FNFO) has since become the longest continuously running improv comedy shows in Long Island history. In 2009, Painter and Robinson formed Face Off Unlimited, A Limited Liability Company, and brought on former FNFO creative director Joe Tex as Partner and Chief Operating Director.
Face Off Unlimited produces various comedy stage shows, has a writing division who specializes in creating content for robots, video games, and iOS applications, including French robotics company, Aldebaran Robotics and its
NAO and
Pepper humanoid robots. Face Off offers multi-level improv and writing classes and workshops that utilize techniques of improvisation and creative ensemble.
In 2010 Face Off Unlimited opened Face Off University at
The Secret Theatre in Long Island City, New York, offering classes on improvisation and their approach to the art form. Since 2014, they have moved their school to Face Off Unlimited Headquarters in Astoria, Queens.
On January 10, 2011, Face Off debuted their live Japanese game-show comedy in New York City's East Village called Face Off Unlimited presents
BATSU! Translated from the Japanese word for "penalty game", BATSU! was named one of the "Best Things To Do In NYC" by CBS New York and was made a Time Out New York 2011 Critics' Pick and an official Village Voice, Voice Choice.
BATSU! was also called "one of the most entertaining...nights in NYC" by Backstage Magazine. BATSU! is now in its 7th year.
Face Off Unlimited co-produced the 2011 and 2012 Queens Fringe Festival in partnership with the Long Island city Arts Open, featuring the All Day Improv Festival. The All Day Improv Festival featured UCB Theatre house team Standard Oil, iMusical: The reunion Show!, and International Stinger, a comedy team from Chicago founded at the Playground Theatre.
In 2013 Face Off Unlimited partnered with radio personality and writer Lyle Pinder to create the In The Room podcast. Former guests, called roommates, include actors
Tyler Posey
Tyler Garcia-Posey (born October 18, 1991) is an American actor and musician. He began his career as a child actor and received recognition for his role as Raul Garcia in ''Doc (2001 TV series), Doc'' (2001–2004) and Ty Ventura in ''Maid in Man ...
,
Joel Murray
Joel Murray (born April 17, 1963) is an American actor. He is well known for his roles in the television series ''Mad Men'', ''Grand (TV series), Grand'', ''Love & War (TV series), Love & War'', ''Dharma & Greg'', ''Still Standing (American TV ...
, Academy Award Winner
Jim Rash
James Rash (born July 15, 1971) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He played Dean Craig Pelton on the NBC sitcom ''Community'' (2009–2015), for which he was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best ...
, Broadway actor and star of Frozen,
Josh Gad, Canadian comedian
Scott Thompson, and YouTube star
Lloyd Ahlquist, better known as EpicLLOYD.
In 2014 Face Off Unlimited opened The NYC Improv Face Off in Times Square at Times Scare.
2014 also saw successful runs of Face Off Unlimited Presents Goon River, a completely improvised storytelling experience in complete darkness, and NADS, an improv comedy meets Magic Mike that boasted the hottest men in comedy.
On June 10, 2016, Face Off Unlimited opened BATSU! Chicago in the upstairs Hachi Lounge at Kamehachi at 1531 N Wells, St, in Chicago's Old Town.
In 2017, FOU created their BATSU! Tour Co after signing with Metropolis Management
Also in 2017, Face Off Unlimited launched FOU STUDIOS,
a full-service video and podcast production company based at FOU Headquarters.
See also
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Improvisational theatre
Improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv or impro in British English, is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers. In its ...
*
List of improvisational theatre companies
Improvisational theatre companies, also known as improv troupes or improv groups, are the primary practitioners of improvisational theater. Modern companies exist around the world and at a range of skill levels. Most groups make little or no mon ...
References
External links
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Face Off Unlimited Official Website
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Improvisational theatre
American comedy troupes