Improv troupe presents 'Thanksgiggling' in Cottonwood on Nov 7

Gobble up the laughs with The Abandoned Minds. 

Preceded by 15 minutes of Mind Blowing Magic by Robert Ray

COTTONWOOD, AZ (Nov 3, 2009) - Thanksgiving isn’t the same old holiday anymore, especially when The Abandoned Minds improv troupe comes to stir up the giggles.  Old Town Center for the Arts presents an evening of laughter with “Thanksgiggling” performed by the Abandoned Minds Improv troupe. Leave your cares behind, and come prepared for this audacious improvisational theater show at 7:30 pm Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Old Town Center For The Arts, at the corner of 5^th & Main in Old Town Cottonwood.

“Thanksgiving is just around the corner so we decided to do a show that celebrates gratitude and laughter,” said Derek Dujardin, Abandoned Minds performer. “Next to Christmas and Secretary Appreciation Day, this is our favorite show of the whole year.”

Similar to Drew Carey’s TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? The Abandoned Minds delights audiences with breezy, spontaneous comedy created in the moment—always based on audience suggestions. Unlike sketch or standup comedy, nothing is rehearsed, scripted or planned ahead. The troupes forte is the ability to take the audience on an imaginative roller coaster ride throughout the evening via comedy and drama. They give the audience a full Improv theatre experience.

“Besides a bunch of brand new short-form improv games we’ve been working on, we’ll be reviving a long-form game called “The Event” for Thanksgiggling,” said Shaeri Richards. “Imagine a bunch of strange characters and crazy scenes leading up to what might be the most dysfunctional Thanksgiving’s Day dinner ever, but it also might just end up with a lot of heart and a lot of hugs. With improv, you never know.”

The troupe follows the Del Close method of improv acting. This style places an emphasis on the “group mind” concept that develops during Improv when everything done is accepted, and the player’s minds become wired together to create a “Supermind.” The components of this troupes “supermind“ are Marah Adelson, Tony Carito, Derek Dujardin, Brad Luky, Karen Kiefer, Chad Graff, Tom Puetz, Shaeri Richards and Lori Shupp.

“This troupe is highly talented.  They’ve developed improv comedy into an art form,” remarked William Eaton, co-director of Old Town Center for the Arts.  “Every time they’ve performed at OTCA we get overwhelming response from the audience and requests to bring them back.  People like to laugh, it feels good.”

For over seven years the Abandoned Minds have been performing “out of their minds” comedy throughout Northern Arizona, and have grown into a very tight ensemble. If you haven’t seen Abandoned Minds lately, make a point to experience this in person.

For a taste of their talent, view clips of their shows at www.AbandonedMinds.com.

“Thanksgiggling!” Tickets are $10 before the show and $12 at the door. Tickets for the event are available at Jerona Java Café, La Bella Café, and Desert Dancer in Cottonwood, and Golden Word and Crystal Magic in Sedona, or online at www.showtix4u.com. 

For further information call Elena at 928-634-0940 or visit www.oldtowncenter.org.