Difference between revisions of "Confidence Men"

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|Picture =    Confidence Men.jpg
|Picture =    Confidence Men.jpg
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list | [[Asaf Ronen]] | [[Ceej Allen]] | [[Jeff Britt]] | [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] | [[Tom Booker]] | [[Troy Miller]]}}
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list | [[Asaf Ronen]] | [[Ceej Allen]] | [[Jeff Britt]] | [[Michael Ferstenfeld]] | [[Tom Booker]] | [[Troy Miller]]}}
|Years = 2010-Present
|Years = 2009-Present
}}
}}


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=== Show Structure ===
=== Show Structure ===
A typical Confidence Men show is a two-act play.  Each act is a monoscene.  Each performer plays one character throughout the show.  In between act one and act two, there is a 45-second solo musical performance.
A typical Confidence Men show is a two-act play.  Each act is a monoscene.  Each performer plays one character throughout the show.  In between act one and act two, there is a 45-second solo musical performance.
They also do a variation on the format called "The Variations," inspired by Mamet's ''Duck Variations.''  This format typically features a theme and a symphonic variety of conversations around that theme.


=== Press Blurb ===
=== Press Blurb ===
This is their bio from the [[2012 Out of Bounds]] web site:
This is their bio from their web site:
<blockquote><p>"You know what it takes to improvise a David Mamet play?</p>
<blockquote><p>"Legendary American playwright David Mamet has a certain way with language–rapid fire dialogue, unfinished sentences, meaningful pauses, raucous cursing, jazz symphonic rhythms . . . meanwhile, Confidence Men: Improvised Mamet have a certain way of lifting that style and making it their own. In the realm of improvised theatre. Every show is a wild testosterone-fueled romp of comedy that can turn deadly serious at the drop of a hat. These six acclaimed and dishonorable menschen will sell you a plot of fuck yes in a two-act play made off the cuffs of their three-piece suits. And, yes, there will be a 45-second musical intermission."</p></blockquote>
<p>Balls. Brass Balls. It takes brass balls to improvise a David Mamet play. Listen friend, the six intrepid members of Confidence Men have brass balls in spades and they are not afraid to use them to unfold the seedy underbelly of whatever the audience suggests on the spot. Every show, a new play will be improvised in the style of such great works as ''Glengarry Glen Ross'', ''Speed-the-Plow'', and ''House of Games'', with all the rat-a-tat and grift of its actual predecessors. Featuring a 45-second live musical intermission.</p>
 
== Media ==
=== Videos ===
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/9/ Video of their 6/4/09 show.] ("Loading Dock")
* [http://vimeo.com/5614691 Video of their 6/9/09 show.] ("Airport Bar")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/3/ Video of their 7/16/09 show.] ("Greenhouse")
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/9d4a33e7 Part 2 of the video.]
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/5/ Video of their 7/17/09 show.] ("Conservatory")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/10/ Video of their 7/31/09 show.] ("Diner")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/6/ Video of their 9/3/09 show.] ("Aquarium")
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/2590a790 Part 2 of the video.]
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/14/ Video of their 11/20/09 show.] ("Monastery")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/aa8c6d9d Video of their 1/28/2010 show.] ("Deck of a Cruise Ship")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/64/ Video of their 2/18/2010 show.] ("Submarine")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/55/ Video of their 2/19/2010 show.] ("Preschool")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/56/ Video of their 2/20/2010 show.] ("Wedding")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/48/ Video of their 3/25/2010 show.] ("Fire Station")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/49/ Video of their 4/1/2010 show.] ("Train Station")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/59/ Video of their 4/8/2010 show.] ("Movie Set")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/71/ Video of their 6/3/2010 show.] ("Bar Mitzvah")
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/2a3e01c8 Video of 'lottery scenes' from that same show.]
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/aa8c6d9d Video of their 6/24/2010 show.] ("Area 51")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/74/ Video of their 7/23/2010 show.] ("Men's Empowerment Workshop")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/exquisitezombie/videos/2/ Video of their 7/24/2010 show.] ("Niagara Falls")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/83/ Video of their 2/18/2011 show.] ("Arctic Research Facility")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/82/ Video of their 2/19/2011 show.] ("Mount Olympus")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/84/ Video of their 2/24/2011 show.] ("News Room")
* [http://vimeo.com/26129030 Video] of their performance in [[The 2011 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/exquisitezombie/videos/6/ Video of their 6/4/2011 show.] ("Opryland Variations")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/troyamiller/videos/90/ Video of their 9/3/2011 show.] ("Hall of Justice")
* [http://www.viddler.com/explore/exquisitezombie/videos/19/ Video of their 10/9/2011 show.] ("Petting Zoo")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/2a45c665 Video of their 11/19/2011 show.] ("Clock Tower")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/5fa26cc Video of their 12/17/2011 show.] ("Japanese Bullet Train")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/a3ae49c6 Video of their 12/24/2011 show.] ("Round Table Variations")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/bf0dab2c Video of their 1/6/12 show.] ("Carnival Sideshow")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/716e0762 Video of their 1/29/12 show.] ("Mamet Goes to the Movies")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/b2981ce2 Video of their 3/9/12 show.] ("The Daily Planet")
* Videos of their 3/31/12 "Mamet Goes to the Movies" performance: [http://vimeo.com/39723699 "The Cake Variations"]; [http://vimeo.com/39687688 ''Star Wars'']
* [http://vimeo.com/40901517 Video of their performance] in [[The 2012 Improvised Play Festival]] by [[Kristin Firth]]. ("The Great Pyramid")
** [http://www.viddler.com/v/2a1b2ab3 Another video of the same show] by [[Michael Ferstenfeld]].
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/73560641 Video of their 9/28/12 show.] ("Rivendell")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/8310310b Video of their 9/29/12 show.] ("Sesame Street")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/2a1b2ab3 Video of their 2/16/13 show.] ("Jury Duty")
* [http://vimeo.com/69454380 Video of their 6/22/13 performance] in [[The 44-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* [http://vimeo.com/74439292 Video of their 8/31/13 performance] in [[The 2013 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
* [http://vimeo.com/125266916 Video] of their 4/11/15 show at [[The 2015 Improvised Play Festival]].


<p>Confidence Men features six Austin, Texas-based improvisers who have come together full of love for noted playwright David Mamet. Taking an audience suggestion for where that night's particular story will take place, Confidence Men is then off and running to create a 2-act improvised play infused with the verbal style and story sensibility of Mamet himself: rapid-fire elliptical speech, liberal and creative use of profanity, desperate men trying to fight for one-upmanship in a dog-eat-dog junkyard of a world."</p></blockquote>
=== Photos ===
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.129961227264.120554.588952264&type=3 Photoset] by [[Peter Rogers]] of their 6/25/09 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/hujhax/media_set?set=a.217721897264.161767.588952264&type=3 Photoset] by [[Peter Rogers]] that includes their 11/15/09 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/hujhax/media_set?set=a.242737852264.168272.588952264&type=3 Photoset] by [[Peter Rogers]] of their 12/11/09 performance ("Asylum").
* [https://www.facebook.com/MadelineChauvin/media_set?set=a.10100417741200160.3101439.7944448&type=3 Photoset] by [[Jo Chauvin]] of their 3/25/10 "Women With Confidence" show (featuring guest performer [[Shana Merlin]]).
* [http://www.facebook.com/tylerbryce/media_set?set=a.414116062703.206133.505207703&type=3 Photoset] by [[Tyler Bryce]] of their April 2010 show at the Red Dirt Improv Festival in Oklahoma.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1150515485813.21655.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 5/21/10 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1294236478748.36180.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of their 6/4/10 performance at [[The 41-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1299236843754.36635.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 7/23/10 performance at ''[[The Spectacle]]''.
* [http://www.facebook.com/roy.moore/media_set?set=a.1338708039652.2040736.1589679282&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] that includes their 8/22/10 performance at "50s Night" at [[The Highball]].
** [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1299236843754.36635.1315383518&type=3 Another photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes the same performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/roy.moore/media_set?set=a.1344776671364.2041272.1589679282&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] that includes their 8/29/10 performance at "50s Night" at [[The Highball]].
** [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1364756881714.46801.1315383518&type=3 Another photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of the same performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1384780142283.49789.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 9/24/10 performance in ''[[The Spectacle]]''.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1384780142283.49789.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 10/2/10 performance at the [[Hyde Park Theater]].
* [https://www.facebook.com/MadelineChauvin/media_set?set=a.10100748440466180.3190128.7944448&type=3 Photoset] by [[Jo Chauvin]] of their 4/29/11 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/roy.moore/media_set?set=a.1719096989138.2081992.1589679282&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of their 6/14/11 "Two Year Anniversary" show.
** [https://www.facebook.com/MadelineChauvin/media_set?set=a.10100845194265790.3215678.7944448&type=3 Photoset] by [[Jo Chauvin]] of the same show.
* [[http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1811908780232.89127.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 7/1/11 show at [[The 2011 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190613261007361.45295.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of their performance at [[The 2011 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.228352770566743.53747.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] that includes their 11/19/11 performance at [[WaffleFest]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.2308434513065.104276.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes a couple of 12/11 performances.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.2505269593819.108656.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 1/28/12 "Mamet Goes to the Movies" show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.2848574976239.115505.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of their 3/19/12 "Mamet Goes to the Movies" show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.303370379731648.68604.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of their 3/31/12 "Mamet Goes to the Movies" show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/claudio.fox.5/media_set?set=a.382364731785028.88496.100000345135257&type=3 Photoset] by [[Claudio Fox]] that includes their 4/1/12 performance in ''[[The Weekender]]''.
** [http://www.facebook.com/Heidi.N.Rogers/media_set?set=a.10102522219773230.3490342.7909117&type=3 Photoset] by [[Heidi Rogers]] that includes the same show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3811816376672.136825.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of their 11/10/12 performance [[Wafflefest]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/Heidi.N.Rogers/media_set?set=a.10102522219773230.3490342.7909117&type=3 Photoset] by [[Heidi Rogers]] that includes the same show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.340729629323893.83550.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of their 4/14/12 show at [[The 2012 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356294337767422.86509.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset of the 5/5/12 show] which they shared with [[Girls Girls Girls]] (photos by [[Steve Rogers]]).
* [http://www.facebook.com/Heidi.N.Rogers/media_set?set=a.10103380530371910.1073741835.7909117&type=3 Photoset] by [[Heidi Rogers]] that includes their July 2013 "UN" show, as well as their 100th show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.415265488536973.100822.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] that includes their 8/31/12 show at [[The 2012 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/hujhax/media_set?set=a.10151291684187265.521166.588952264&type=3 Casual photos] by [[Peter Rogers]] from after their 9/27/12 show at Improvaganza in Honolulu.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.525065577556963.1073741857.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of their 4/13/13 at [[The 2013 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.4771818696130.1073741835.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of their 5/18/13 show with special guest Joe Bill.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.530515880350429.1073741857.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 8/31/13 show at [[The 2013 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
** [http://www.flickr.com/photos/oob_pics/sets/72157635455662967/ Photoset] by [[Ryan Criswell]] of the same show.
* [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.644308972299289.1073741951.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of their 100th show on 12/6/13.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.10202535417569427.1073741903.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of their show at [[The 2014 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.10203012933787034.1073741915.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes their 11/21/14 performance in [[WaffleFest 2014]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.941955962534587.1073742183.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of their 4/11/15 performance in [[The Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/jay.mahavier/media_set?set=a.10208027980203730.1073741867.1425495839&type=3 Photoset] by [[Jay Mahavier]] of the 9/2/15 performance ("TED Talks") in [[The 2015 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1042876175775898.1073742261.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] that includes their 9/18/15 performance in "The [[Indigo Shift]] Cabaret".


== Media ==
=== Audio ===
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/aa8c6d9d Video of their 8/1/2010 show.] ("Area 51")
* [http://ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/may23-confidancemen-rehearsal-tearoom.mp3 Audio of their 5/23/09 rehearsal.] ("Tea Room")
* [http://vimeo.com/26129030 Video of their performance] at the 2011 [[Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/june11-confidencemen-equalized.mp3 Audio of their 6/11/09 show.] ("Ice Skating Rink")
* [http://www.viddler.com/v/b1728855 Video of their performance] at [[The 2011 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]]. ("The Hall of Justice")
* [http://ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/sept20-conmen-wafflefest.mp3 Audio of their 9/20/09 show.] ("Waffle House")
* [http://vimeo.com/40901517 Video of their performance] at the 2012 [[Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/oct10-conmen-stockexchange.mp3 Audio of their 10/10/09 show.] ("Stock Exchange")
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3811816376672.136825.1315383518&type=3 Photoset of their performance] from [[Wafflefest]] 2012.
* [http://ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/dec11-conmen-asylum-cut.mp3 Audio of their 12/11/09 show.] ("Asylum")
* [http://www.ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/1-31-ConfidenceMen-Frontera-BestOfWeek-CarDealership.mp3 Audio of their 1/30/10 show.] ("Car Dealership")
* [http://www.ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/mar6-conmen-aa-okc.mp3 Audio of their 3/6/10 show.] ("AA Meeting")
* [http://ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/conniversary-eq.mp3 Audio of their 6/3/10 show.] ("Bar Mitzvah")
* [http://www.ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/20110903-conmen-hallofjustice.mp3 Audio of their 9/3/11 show.] ("Hall of Justice")
* [http://www.ferstenfeld.com/mp3s/prov/20120106-conmen-sideshow.mp3 Audio of their 1/6/12 show.] ("Carnival Sideshow")
 
=== Publicity ===
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/austinimprov/sets/72157622398615698/ Publicity photos.]
* [http://youtu.be/WWy28Lpjw-M Promo video for their "100 Shows and C#nting" performance.]
 
=== Other ===
* [http://vimeo.com/81238166 The video intro for their "100 Shows and C#nting" performance.]


== More Information ==
== More Information ==
* [http://confidencemenimprov.com/ Official Website]


 
[[Category:Troupes]]
[[Category:Troupes|C]]
[[Category:Active]]

Latest revision as of 13:45, 4 October 2015


Confidence Men

Confidence Men.jpg

Years Active 2009-Present
Cast

Confidence Men is an improv troupe that improvises in the style of David Mamet.

Summary

Show Structure

A typical Confidence Men show is a two-act play. Each act is a monoscene. Each performer plays one character throughout the show. In between act one and act two, there is a 45-second solo musical performance.

They also do a variation on the format called "The Variations," inspired by Mamet's Duck Variations. This format typically features a theme and a symphonic variety of conversations around that theme.

Press Blurb

This is their bio from their web site:

"Legendary American playwright David Mamet has a certain way with language–rapid fire dialogue, unfinished sentences, meaningful pauses, raucous cursing, jazz symphonic rhythms . . . meanwhile, Confidence Men: Improvised Mamet have a certain way of lifting that style and making it their own. In the realm of improvised theatre. Every show is a wild testosterone-fueled romp of comedy that can turn deadly serious at the drop of a hat. These six acclaimed and dishonorable menschen will sell you a plot of fuck yes in a two-act play made off the cuffs of their three-piece suits. And, yes, there will be a 45-second musical intermission."

Media

Videos

Photos

Audio

Publicity

Other

More Information

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