Rogue Improv Calgary is, quite simply, a group of people living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (and the surrounding area) who have been inspired by the likes of Improv Everywhere to create “scenes” in public places and provide unsuspecting onlookers with an unusual, enjoyable experience. The basic philosophy behind groups such as ours is explained quite well on IE’s website:
“Improv Everywhere is, at its core, about having fun. We’re big believers in “organized fun”. [...] We get satisfaction from coming up with an awesome idea and making it come to life. In the process we bring excitement to otherwise unexciting locales and give strangers a story they can tell for the rest of their lives. We’re out to prove that a prank doesn’t have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone laugh, smile, or stop to notice the world around them.”
Rogue Improv Calgary originally organized in the “Calgary” group on Improv Everywhere Global (now Urban Prankster), and we currently exist both there and in a Facebook group. This website/blog is our main front to the public, presenting mission reports, agent interviews, photos, and videos from our various events.
Speaking of which, we call our events Reality Shifts, or just “shifts” for short. This implies that at a certain time and place, mundane reality will transform or move into another plane temporarily – a plane where strange and amusing things happen. And when it’s over, reality simply moves back to its regular plane of existence and continues as normal.
Also, as it is with IE, our members are known as Agents, though most of us take nicknames/pseudonyms rather than using first or last names as agent names.
If you wish to participate in upcoming RIC events, join either the Calgary Urban Prankster group or our Facebook group for the latest updates. I would recommend the Facebook group, as it is easier to follow and allows for joining the event listings for our individual Reality Shifts.
