Pleasanton Teen Improv Group Takes The Stage

From the City of Pleasanton:

January 31 2020

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Creatures of Impulse (COI), the Bay Area’s popular and much-lauded teen improv troupe, presents Face-Off 2020 at the Firehouse Arts Center Theater in downtown Pleasanton. Local Bay Area improv teams “compete” against the City of Pleasanton’s own award-winning Creatures of Impulse in a series of five unique “pro-wrestling” themed “bouts.”

Each show includes WWE-inspired scenes, games, and improv high-jinx, all with the high-energy audience-interaction that is a trademark for the troupe. The audience has the opportunity to win prizes, and of course the champion improv team wins the bragging rights.

Each show will feature a different guest ‘opponent’ troupe, with participating teams from around the Bay Area. For a full schedule of participants, visit COI’s home stage page at http://www.firehousearts.org/coi/

COI Founder and guiding light Mark Duncanson, who is a City of Pleasanton Recreation Supervisor, is directing a new adult (non-student) team for the Face-Off, cheekily named Creatures of Habit. In his stead this year as Face-Off general director is veteran City of Pleasanton Recreation staffer and Youth Programs leader Jeff Zavattero. “Face-Off is Jeff’s favorite show of the whole COI season,” notes Mark, “so I’m happy to take a back seat on this one!”

Show schedule, plus opponents:

· Thu, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. – Mission Improvable from California High School in San Ramon. Cal High was the first high school improv team to face COI in the inaugural Face-Off (2008) at the Veteran’s Hall in Pleasanton.

· Fri, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. – Middle School Team from the City of Pleasanton.

· Sat, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. – Creatures of Habit from the City of Pleasanton.

· Sat, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. – Las Positas College Improv Team. Current COI Face-Off Director Jeff Zavattero launched the LPC team, and performed with them against COI in that same 2008 kick-off show.

Special PREVIEW PERFORMANCE: Wed, Feb. 19 at 7:30pm. $2 tickets cash only at the door – Mr. Amador from Amador Valley High School.

General Admission tickets: Students $5, General $10. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or at the Firehouse Box Office, 4444 Railroad Avenue in Pleasanton, 925-931-4848, or online at www.firehousearts.org. Box Office hours are Wed – Fri, noon - 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free parking is available in the center’s lot, entrance on Spring Street.

Since its founding twelve seasons ago, COI has represented the State of California at the Teen Comedy Festival in Chicago four times, toured shows in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and won the prestigious Creating Community Award of Excellence in Youth Development from the California Park and Recreation Society, and performed in San Francisco with the professional improv troupe Un-Scripted Theater Company in Union Square.

This press release was produced by the City of Pleasanton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.