Welcome to the month of July and with the summer truly starting to come into action we thought it would be a great time to talk to an improv troupe that actually formed due to the improv community using the online world! Yes you heard that correctly!

Don’t Mess is a global all women and non-binary improv team and their shows explore the world of zoom meetings because who knew there could be so much fun that could be created from this world! The troupe are performing currently all throughout July and I couldn’t wait to find out more about them. Today we find out all about the team

Hello can you tell us a little bit about the improv team Don’t Mess?

We are a global all women and non-binary improv team, and our form explores the pleasures and pitfalls of zoom meetings! We currently perform on our own Facebook page, are resident at the Pack Theater LA monthly, and have performed too at The Nursery Theatre and Impro Theater.

How did your team form?

We were a team created for The World of Improv project for a one off show, and loved performing together so much that we continued!

“We are all connected with and support multiple groups – Queen City Comedy’s Global Improv Project, Improv College, Zmack Improv, Improbotics to name but a few. ..”

Don’t Mess Improv

How did you come up with the name of your troupe?

It was a teammate’s suggestion, based on the idea that you ‘don’t mess’ with this group of improvisers!

What style of Improv do you do? 

We perform connected longform, based on a suggestion of why people would hold a zoom meeting. We make full use of the features of zoom, to have scenes in break out rooms etc, and our style tends to be deeply connected, sometimes abstract and nearly always funny!

What will make you different to other improv shows out there? 

The way in which we use the online form, our connection as a troupe and the playfulness,  and support and inventiveness.

“Our form explores the pleasures and pitfalls of zoom meetings …”

Don’t Mess Improv

What other improv groups are you a fan of and why? 

So many – we are all connected with and support multiple groups – Queen City Comedy’s Global Improv Project, Improv College, Zmack Improv, Improbotics to name but a few.

What advice would you give for people thinking about starting an improv troupe? Especially an international one? 

Get to understand timezones on a deep and intense level!

What about extra advice for those wanting to focus on an improv style or format they are creating? 

Just be prepared to really experiment and collaborate and remember that the online space has to be the hero, not the problem, to make the most of the genre!

If people want to find out more about you where can they find you on social media?

Find us on Facebook @dontmessimprov.

What are your aims for your troupe for the rest of the year? 

To keep performing and honing our form.

More next week…