Author: Charlie Todd

Charlie Todd is a New York based actor, comedian, and prankster. He is the founder of Improv Everywhere, a New York prank collective that has been profiled by The New York Times, SPIN Magazine, and Rolling Stone (where his work was named "Hot Comedy" in the Hot List Issue 2005). Charlie has given interviews about his pranks to news outlets around the world including The Guardian in London, German Public Radio, and NHK TV in Japan. He brought Improv Everywhere to Aspen, Colorado in 2006 as part of HBO's US Comedy Arts Festival. Charlie is a teacher at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, where he has written, performed, and directed comedy for the past five years. He has created many shows at the UCBT including PAID PROGRAMMING, FOUND ON CRAIGSLIST, and THE MP3 EXPERIMENT (all of which were Time Out New York critic's picks). He currently performs at the theatre every Saturday with the house team Reuben Williams and every Thursday with the UCBW, a ridiculous wrestling league he created. Charlie has made appearances on LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, BEST WEEK EVER and VH1's 40 GREATEST PRANKS. He has worked on pilots for ABC and TBS, and he will soon appear in the THIS AMERICAN LIFE pilot on Showtime. Charlie was named one of the "10 Funniest People You've Never Heard Of" by New York Magazine.
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Improv Everywhere: Ballroom Crosswalk

From Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere: Pedestrians in a busy New York city crosswalk suddenly begin ballroom dancing.

Ballroom Crosswalk

For our latest mission, pedestrians in a busy New York crosswalk begin ballroom dancing one by one as they “accidentally” bump into their partners. This project took place on the crosswalk in front of Penn Station on 7th Avenue, one of the busiest spots in the city. We staged the mission several times, with the performance repeating at each change of the light and always finishing before the “Don”™t Walk” countdown clock reached zero.

bc11

For this project we put out a call to our NYC mailing list looking for ballroom dancers. For the most part participants didn”™t know each other before this project, though some participated with their dance partners. We had one loose rehearsal just to walk through the logistics and make sure everyone was comfortable with the idea and their partners.

It was a great spot because there was always a healthy crowd of people coming to and from Penn Station. Each time we staged it, 95% of the people around us were seeing it for the first time. We noticed a few people who stuck around, hoping to see it again. The best reactions came from those in the crosswalk who got caught up in it as it started. Some folks were in a hurry, rushing to catch their train, but most everyone did a double take and smiled. I had a blast watching it from the sideline.

This project was a collaboration with YouTube”™s new Field Day channel. Check out our video on the Field Day channel that features parts of this mission as well as our Groundskeeper Acrobats and Unexpected Ballet missions.

Created and Directed by Charlie Todd / Produced by: Deverge. For more information and photos, visit here.

Related posts:

  1. Improv Everywhere: Phone Booth Coworking
  2. Improv Everywhere: Random Parade Leader
  3. Improv Everywhere: No Pants Subway Ride 2013
  4. Improv Everywhere: Subway Art Gallery Opening
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Improv Everywhere’s Unexpected Ballet

From Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere:

For our latest mission, professional ballet performers pose as break dancers in New York”™s Washington Square Park. The men hype up their tumbling routine to a gathered crowd before realizing they brought the “wrong music.” The crowd is surprised as they slowly realize the performer”™s hidden talents.

Watch the video:

This project was a collaboration with YouTube”™s new Field Day channel. For more info and photos, visit Improv Everywhere.

Related posts:

  1. Join Us at New York City’s 36th Annual April Fools’ Day Parade!
  2. Improv Everywhere: The Matrix in Real Life
  3. Improv Everywhere: Lord of the Rings In Real Life
  4. Improv Everywhere: Indiana Jones in Real Life
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Improv Everywhere: No Pants Subway Ride 2015

From Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere:

No Pants Subway Ride 2015

On Sunday, January 11th, 2015 tens of thousands of people took off their pants on subways in over 60 cities in over 25 countries around the world. In New York, [the] 14th Annual No Pants Subway Ride had over 4,000 participants, spread out over seven meeting points and eleven subway lines.

no pants subway 2015

Watch the video:

More photos and info here.

Related posts:

  1. Improv Everywhere: No Pants Subway 2017
  2. Improv Everywhere: Global No Pants Subway Ride 2016 – This Sunday!
  3. Improv Everywhere: The Mannequin Mob
  4. No Pants Subway Ride 2014
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Improv Everywhere: The Pirates of Central Park

From Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere:

The Pirates of Central Park

For our latest mission, we staged a pirate invasion on the Central Park Lake, converting a rowboat rental into a pirate ship. Actors dressed as pirates from Disney”™s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction set sail on the lake, searching for the keys to their treasure chest. The pirates interrogated the New Yorkers and tourists on other rowboats and by the shore, much to their delight.

Enjoy the video and then go behind the scenes with our mission report and photos.

Created and Directed by Charlie Todd / Produced by: Deverge / Music by Tyler Walker

Related posts:

  1. Improv Everywhere: The Giant Boom Box
  2. Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise
  3. Improv Everywhere: Car Alarm Symphony
  4. Improv Everywhere: Subway Yearbook Photos
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Improv Everywhere: Black Tie Beach 2014

From Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere:

Black Tie Beach 2014 Improv Everywhere-425

For the Fifth Annual Black Tie Beach, hundreds of participants spent a day at the beach in black tie attire. We covered Coney Island with a diverse group of people of all ages laying out, playing games, and swimming in the ocean in formal wear. Agents were instructed to find cheap tuxedos and ball gowns at thrift stores for the occasion. The event also happened on the same day in several other cities around the world, including Boston and Jacksonville.

Watch the video:

See more photos and info here.

UPCOMING: The Mp3 Experiment Eleven will take place on Saturday, September 20 at a location to be announced in Brooklyn, NY. Once again we are staging the Mp3 Experiment TWICE this year. It will take place at 2 PM and 6 PM. Save the date! This event, as always, is free and open to all.

Related posts:

  1. Improv Everywhere: Phone Booth Coworking
  2. No Pants Subway Ride 2014
  3. Improv Everywhere: No Pants Subway Ride 2013
  4. No Pants Subway Ride 2011

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