"The acting troupe served up a wonderful combination of humor and intrigue. Our 20 employees work independently and rarely see [each] other. The mystery theme kept everyone’s attention without infringing on our time to catch up. Thank you again for your efforts to make our party unique." -Linda Olsen, Loren Imhoff Homebuilder, Inc., Madison, WI
Q. I've never attended one of these. How does it work? A. It's Improv role-playing at its finest. Everyone gets involved to their own comfort level, either by playing a Suspect or a Detective. It's a live-action "whodunit" where you are part of the "action."
Q. Do the Suspects get to guess who is the killer? A. Absolutely. No matter which role you're playing, no one knows the real answer until the final "Curtain."
Q. How do you choose who plays the Suspects? A. It's preferable for the customer to choose from his or her own guest list. You know your guests best. We recommend you choose the most outgoing personalities from your guest list as the suspects.
Q. How many people do we need to play Suspects? A. That can vary depending on group size and the chosen theme, but generally about a dozen (12) guests are needed for most parties.
Q. Do they need to memorize lines? A. No memorization is required. Carrying your "script" and reading from it is actually encouraged.
Q. What is the dress code? Do we have to dress in costume? A. The dress code is dictated by the customer and the type of event being planned. Most events are comfortable with business casual while others may prefer shorts and T-shirts for outdoor picnics. Still others may opt to host a formal black-tie event.
Q. How long does it last? A. Our shows are entirely improvisation so depending on the group size and time of day, a two to three hour time frame is generally observed. Our abbreviated shows last roughly 1-1.5 hours.
Q. Can we pre-select the "killer" or who gets killed? A. The answer to both questions is "No." To do so would eliminate the majority of the suspense as well as the fun and hilarity that evolves as the story and plot unfolds.
Q. I want to surprise my guests with this mystery party. Is that OK? A. As much fun as that sounds in theory, it is only really fun for the one or two planners, and not for the rest of the crowd. Our experience has proven that the event has optimum results with advance notice to the guests.
Q. Which theme do you recommend? A. We have a large selection of crime stories from which you can choose. There are several themes divided into two categories: "Historical" and "Contemporary." Read the synopses in our Mystery Library to see which one best fits your needs. You might want to coordinate your theme with your menu, or vice versa. Q. What about decorations or souvenirs? A. Creating a theme atmosphere can only enhance the success of your event. We can work within your budget to provide appropriate theme decorations, table centerpieces, and even scenery! A warehouse of souvenirs is available for purchase including spyglasses, key chains, megaphones, flapper beads, etc.
Q. Do you travel? Is there an extra charge for travel? A. We have performed all across the U.S., from Las Vegas to Boston, from Seattle to Orlando. If your event is within two hours or a hundred-mile radius from one of our hubs, there is no extra charge for travel. Otherwise, travel expenses and/or overnight accommodations may be required.
Q. Is there a prize for the winner? A. There may be more than one winner, and we award "Super Sleuth Certificates" to all guests who have correctly identified the "killer." Should the host wish to offer one, two, or three prizes of their choice, the "winners" are then eligible to win the prize(s) via a drawing.