THEY
improv Comedy can be Murder in Washington, DC ! ! !
Frequently Asked Questions
A
THEY improv Washington, DC murder mystery event customized for
your group has proven to be perfect for teambuilding
corporate events, weddings, family gatherings, dinners or
charity fundraisers!
Whether you are a K-Street firm, at Foggy Bottom or on Capitol
Hill, THEY improv has murder mystery scripts and writers that
can tailor an event to your group. From the smallest meeting or
private party to the largest convention, just ask and find out
how we can custom something for you.
THEY improv is proud to serve: Northern Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria,
Tyson's Corner, Maryland, Bethesda, Annapolis, Baltimore, Foggy
Bottom and Capitol Hill. THEY improv is a CCR Registrant and registered
with Dunn & Bradstreet.
So exactly what is an Washington, DC murder mystery and what does
it entail?
To answer this, and more specific questions, we have assembled
a list of frequently asked questions here, along with appropriate
answers.
Q: Can you do work for the government?
A: THEY improv is a CCR Registrant. CCR (the Central Contractor
Registration) is the primary registrant database for the U.S.
Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates
data in support of agency acquisition missions. This means that
our information has already been cultivated and the contractual
process is much smoother for governmental agencies. In other words:
THEY improv, LLC is an official US Federal Government Contractor.
So, yes, we can perform for the federal government.
Q: We want a murder mystery in a secure facility, how can you
make that happen?
A: Washington is full of places with security restrictions. Most,
however, also deal with the need to bring in outsiders for specific
events. They have security personnel that are avaialble to discuss
the event and make it happen. Because of the security concerns
of various venues, we work hard to interact with the appropriate
agencies to ensure their concerns are dealt with. Though we are
including a murder, we can do so with little or no potentially
harmful equipment. We can also make innocuous items into the murder
weapon, freeing the security personnel from any actual concern.
Don't let these concerns stop you from contacting us. Call, we'll
talk to your security people and work out the details. It should
not ever be a problem. And as for our people, we will provide
actors that will pass any background check you throw at us, even
though some might be Democrats.
Q: You say that you customize shows, how customized are they?
A: Every script is unique and written for the show and group involved.
There may be certain elements that have been repeated over the
years, but we tailor directly to you. Additionally, all of our
performers have years of improvisational training and public performances
under their belt. This means that their improv skills are fully
taken advantage of and can react to the situations around them.
Literally, we could not perform the same show twice even if we
tried.
Q: You say that you customize shows, how customized are they?
A: Every script is unique and written for the show and group involved.
There may be certain elements that have been repeated over the
years, but we tailor directly to you. Additionally, all of our
performers have years of improvisational training and public performances
under their belt. This means that their improv skills are fully
taken advantage of and can react to the situations around them.
Literally, we could not perform the same show twice even if we
tried.
Q:
What makes a THEY improv Murder Mystery different from others?
A: THEY improv stands out in the murder mystery business in a
lot of ways. The most obvious is that the cast of THEY improv
is comprised of some of the top improvisational comedy talent.
This means that the show not only has a great interactive experience
for the audience, but that the entire cast adjusts to the changing
needs and comedic energy of the group involved. Secondly, THEY
improv never forgets that the emphasis is on entertainment, not
on mystery. The show is designed to entertain the audience more
than perplex them. To that effect, we push the murder back in
the plot allowing for a larger amount of audience interaction
and fun prior to the murder and a shorter interrogation time.
In some shows the detective is the star. In ours, the comedy is.
Thirdly, some murder mystery companies try to beat the audience
and not even give out the prizes. THEY improv guarantees that
someone will have been correct in their solution of the murder
mystery for our full shows. There are a lot of ways we're different.
The best way for you to find out how is to contact us for a show
and see for yourself.
Q: Is your material appropriate for younger or sensitive audience
members?
A: Younger or more sensitive audience members should have no problem
enjoying a night of fun and clean comedy when THEY improv takes
the stage. We are predisposed to performing clean comedy shows.
If, however, we are requested to become more lively in our performance,
we may do so. After all, our murder mysteries are custom-tailored
for the audience involved.
Q:
I have a small group, can I have you perform for us?
A: Smaller groups can get cost-prohibitive for murder mysteries,
but THEY improv may still be able to help. Although we custom-tailor
scripts and bring 4-8 actors to work on your event for a full
murder mystery, we do have other options. After all, on a per-person
basis this can get quite expensive. Besides our Game Shows or
Improv Comedy Show options which are more cost conscious, THEY
improv has made an arrangement with a murder mystery company to
provide self-run mysteries for those on a budget. For a cost of
just a little over $10 per person and a nominal fee for an actor,
you can have a murder mystery provided with your guests playing
the characters involved and a member of THEY improv helping you
run the event. Contact us about this option or to find out what
other options THEY improv can provide.
Q:
What is interactive as opposed to immersive?
A: Generally, when someone refers to a show being interactive,
it means that the performers will talk to the audience, either
to get input or a reaction. Because interactive is a term used
and understood in the industry, we tend to use the term incorrectly.
Our shows are more accurately referred to as immersive. An immersive
performance is where our actors fully participate in the audience
experience and can be mistaken as audience members. Some audience
members can also be confused with performers. This immersive experience
enhances the entire event and increases the involvement of the
audience members to the point of maintaining full attention.
Q: Are your murder mysteries like a play?
A: While we prefer the immersive experience, we can perform "Presentational
Murder Mysteries." This is performed on a stage or raised
area with sound system like a play and with limited audience interaction.
This is usually done for much larger groups and is more heavily
scripted. This tends to have a higher cost because of the writing
involved.
Q: What kind of venues are you available to perform in?
A: THEY improv is capable of performing anywhere. After all, we
are improvisational. We are used to making do and reacting to
what is at hand. Generally we perform in banquet spaces, dining
rooms, hotels, restaurants, conference centers and theaters. The
question usually comes down to an ability to be seen and heard
by the audience. The real answer is that you should contact us
if you have a venue that you have a question about and we are
certain that we can find a way to make it work.
Q:
You don't seem to be located near me, can you still perform for
us?
A: THEY improv is one of the fastest growing murder mystery companies
in the country. Right now we provide murder mystery shows in Florida
(including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Pembroke Pines,
Deerfield Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, Miami and Fort Lauderdale),
New York (including Upstate, Downstate, and Manhattan), New England
(including Boston, Providence, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont
and Worchester), Southern California (including Los Angeles, San
Bernardino and Orange County, the MidWest (including Chicago,
Milwaukee, Racine, Madison, and Eau Claire) as well as Atlanta.
We are elsewhere in the country with new locations being added
and coming soon, so you should simply ask and we might already
be there. Additionally, we can serve other areas with a slight
charge for travel that may have us still your least expensive
option. And if we are not the least expensive? Isn't having the
best worth it?
Q: What are your prices
for a show?
A: Because every event is custom
designed you have to contact THEY improv directly to receive a
quote for your event. Prices range based on the costs for a show.
The more actors, the more props, the larger the event, the more
the writing, the higher the cost. The self-run events can run
anywhere from $500-1,000 based on number of people. Dinner shows
can cost anywhere from $1,500-$5,000. Presentational Shows can
cost anywhere from $2,500-$7,500. These are just rough ranges
and can vary greatly based on clients needs. The prices are also
independent of venue, food and technical equipment such as lights
and sound. Contact us for a detailed quote.
Q: Are there gunshots at your shows?
A: Based on the desires of the client, we may have gunshots (blanks,
of course), stabbings, etc. All such things are usually done to
comedic effect and may require authorization of the venue and
appropriate security staffs. Likewise, the Client must indemnify
us and indicate to potential guests with any conditions the inherent
issues or concerns. There is an additional fee for the use of
gunshots based on the additional security precautions. And the
use of such items may be restricted due to national security or
federal concerns. We do not violate the law, though in the end
someone will be arrested!
