* about us *
“Now our players will create a scene based on organic
free range chicken and whole grain risotto…” From the
starving comedian days of performing at an all organic
grocery store in West Hartford, Connecticut, Off the Cuff
has grown (pesticide free) into a successful improv
troupe wowing crowds throughout Connecticut and New
England. Off the Cuff was formed in 2001 by two
courageous members of the former comedy troupe at
Billy Jack Café of Comedy. Since then, Off the Cuff has
become the longest running improv troupe in Connecticut,
playing in various locales, including bars and restaurants,
corporate events, universities, theater workshops, private
events for various social clubs, and improvised murder
mysteries.
Off the Cuff performs short-form improv, creating scenes
based on interaction with the audience through
volunteers, suggestions, and sometimes, divine
intervention. Cuff is always learning new games,
revamping old ones, and creating their own. Cuff has
collaborated with other improv troupes by doing shows
and rehearsing together.
With improv, everything is unpredictable. It’s like trying to
order dinner but the whole menu is in French; you just
never know what you’re going to get. Off the Cuff’s
members are as varied as the scenes they create. The
players have all learned from one another, especially
never to trust a hipster Casanova with an IQ of over 160
(don’t ask). Each player brings a unique performance
background to the troupe, collectively including TV, film,
joke telling, staged plays, interactive theater, needlessly
embellishing stories and stand-up comedy, not just in
Connecticut but internationally, as well.
The troupe’s motto, “We crack us up” erupted
spontaneously early on. This has been an excellent
mantra throughout Cuff history, reminding the troupe that
improv is fun and even the players should laugh (and it
creates a built in laugh track). Cuff has been the cause of
many a belly laugh, a few cackles and even a guffaw or
two, all over New England—and there’s no sign of
stopping!
next show: May 24 @ The Pepper Barn
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