Creatures of Impulse brings new twist to spring classic

Briana Marquez, 17, is ready to go into outer space with action directed by the audience in "Tri-Valley High: Intergalactic 2015." (Photo by Aaron Zwiefel Photography)

Creatures of Impulse, Pleasanton's teen improv troupe, takes its art form out of this world tonight in the final performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Arts Center.

This year the troupe takes up the sci-fi gauntlet, with its new show, "Tri-Valley High: Intergalactic 2015."

The troupe takes suggestions from the audience at the beginning of the show, then uses them to create a completely improvised teen sci-fi musical from start to finish. Performers will not know what characters they will play until the show starts and won't know what songs they will sing until they start singing them.

"This year I decided to challenge COI members with an improvised teen sci-fi musical based on my love for sci-fi and what I have seen COI accomplish with bringing the teen story to the stage," said founder and director Mark Duncanson.

General admission is $5 students, $10 adults, and tickets can be purchased at www.firehousearts.org, at the box office or by calling 931-4848.

Duncanson is a graduate of the Bay Area Theater Sports improv program, and he also continues to perform professionally. He developed his love for long-form, story-based improv in 1994 when he was cast in "Liquid Soap," an improvised episodic soap opera based out of San Francisco.

"As a youth worker and teaching artist, I aim to push boundaries and give people what they don't expect," Duncanson said. "I have had COI members try to talk themselves out of being in an improvised musical because they didn't think they could do it, only to discover they have a hidden talent for improvised rap, or that they actually have a great singing voice. Improv is just an exciting theatrical medium."

Creatures of Impulse has been lauded statewide, not only for its high-caliber training and performances, but also for its outreach to the community with theatrical improvisation classes, workshops, camps and performances.

Nominations due by Sept. 17
Pleasanton Weekly and DanvilleSanRamon.com are once again putting out a call for nominations and sponsorships for the annual Tri-Valley Heroes awards - our salute to the community members dedicated to bettering the Tri-Valley and the lives of its residents.