Men in ShirtsMen in Shirts
ABOUT THE DUO
Men in Shirts is an improvised duo founded in 2001 by Clifton Highfield and Chuck Charbeneau, with artistic direction from Jim Nemeth. Often seen with special musical guest Jamey Rosen, “Men in Shirts” has performed over 100 shows to audiences across the Metro-Detroit area. With audience sizes ranging from 20 to 143, “Men in Shirts” rely only on their talent, each other and a single suggestion from the audience to create a 20-45 minute play.
Clifton and Chuck pride themselves on their use of different improv styles to create a comedic performance with a touch of realism that comes from the heart. Clifton, a 9 year veteran performer and graduate of Improv Olympic, is ADHD at its funniest. Chuck, a 14 year veteran performer, student of Paul Sills and the Improv Olympic and an accomplished mime and actor, always has the perfect reaction to split your sides. Together Clifton and Chuck create an honest character driven improvised play right before the audiences’ eyes.
Audiences may remember Men in Shirts from their famed “Confessional” seen at The Chicago Improv Festival, The Phoenix Improv Festival, and The Toronto International Improv Festival. Their form “The Abyss” inspired by Liz Allen & Jimmy Carrane, with artistic direction from Jim Nemeth, can be seen periodically on Thursday nights at the smash hit comedy lounge Improv Inferno in Ann Arbor, MI, and at festivals across the country throughout the year.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Men in Shirts present their deepest and darkest improv to date in “The Abyss”. Only by looking into the abyss of ourselves, do we reveal our true desires, fears and secrets. This deep, character based improv “dramedy” will leave you laughing, crying, and considering your own dark side. From a single suggestion the improv fists of fury will flail in comedic and dramatic madness.
Sorry kids, “The Abyss” is for adult audiences only, and is not for the easily offended. Whether you’re a librarian or a serial rapist, “The Abyss” will find enough darkness and enough light to make even the strangest lives seem normal.
After opening to record crowds at the Improv Inferno in Ann Arbor, MI, a standing ovation and the Miami Improv festival and rave reviews from the kind folks of PIF 2005, Men in Shirts is continuing the exploration at a festival or stage near you.
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a
monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into
you."
--Friedrich Nietzsche
Posted by Men in Shirts
