Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed was created in May 2002 as an outlet for actors, comedians, and performers in the Tucson area by Dana Cianciotto. Dana hoped to bring together a unique group of people from different backgrounds with different levels of experience to create a well rounded and eclectic performance troupe. Emulating the improv greats - Second City, The Groundlings, Comedy Store Players, etc. - Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has grown from an experiment into a phenomenon, and we look forward to providing southern Arizona with many more years of entertainment!
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed prides itself on providing high quality comedic entertainment and tailoring itself to specific venues and audiences. You can bring the whole family to see NBOJU's all ages show at Bookman's, have a drink at our Adult Comedy show at Vaudeville Cabaret, or enjoy a glass of wine and a delicious meal at Uno's Chicago Bar and Grill. NBOJU's versatile comedians understand the importance of relating with an audience and their surroundings, and can guarantee that you will never be disappointed at a NBOJU performance.
NBOJU's cast members are currently between the ages of 19 - 54, and are everything from actors, comedians, tech supporters, casino workers, psychotherapists, interior designers, marketing specialists, customer service representatives, hotel workers, college recruiters, writers, students, administrative assistants, teachers, computer programmers, real estate agents, photographers, a physicist, and more, creating an interesting mix of dynamic-of-life experiences.
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed Credits
NBOJU has performed locally at:
- 4th Avenue Street Fair
- 7 Black Cats
- Bookman's
- The Cafe (formerly Cafe Q)
- El Ojito Center for Creativity
- Fox N Hound Restaurant
- Gaslight Theater
- Green Valley Community Center
- The Grill
- The Hotel Arizona
- Hotel Congress
- Leo Rich Theater
- Nimbus Brewery
- Oasis Vegetarian Eatery
- Omni Golf Resort
- Skyline Country Club
- Speakeasy
- The University of Arizona
- Uno's Chicago Bar and Grill
- Vaudeville Cabaret
- Westward Look Resort
- Wilde Playhouse
- Wok 'n Sushi
- Yuma Historic Theater
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed enjoyed two seasons of the successful public access TV show Unscrewed Comedy in association with Sad Pepper Productions. Currently, Director Mike Pierce adds new dimensions to the Unscrewed Comedy television production. New episodes are being added monthly. A must-see!
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has performed tailored shows for companies such as:
- America Online
- Arizona Association of High School Counselors
- The City of Sierra Vista
- Desert Institute of the Healing Arts (Instructor/Student show)
- The International Association of Railroad Accountants
- Ionatron
- Long Realty
- Pepper Viner Homes
- Saint Francis de Sales Church
- The Southern Arizona Democratic Women's Political Caucus
- Tucson Fun and Adventure
- Tucson Regional Transportation Authority
- 2006 Governor's Council on Tourism
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has opened for stand up comedians from Tucson and Phoenix.
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has provided workshops for:
- Adults at Bookman's
- America Online
- BP of Canada
- Casa Grande Hospital
- Junior high and high school students in Tucson and Yuma
- Red Bull
- Catalina Foothills High School
- Rincon High School
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has performed in Phoenix, Yuma, Casa Grande, Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Green Valley, and Oro Valley as well as Tucson.
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has participated for two years in Ha Ha Food, a benefit for the Tucson Community Food Bank organized by our friends New Kevin. In 2005, NBOJU participated in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" entertaining participants, and performed as the opening act for a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief.
Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed has members who have trained with:
- The Actors Studio in Tucson
- The Groundlings L.A.
- The Jester'z in Scottsdale
- The People's Improv Theater in NYC
- Second City Chicago
"NBOJU prides itself on quick wit, knowledge of current events and politics, hilarious characterizations, and giving back to the community. If you're looking for something a little different from the usual dinner and a movie, come check out Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed - The Thinking Man's Comedy Troupe."
— Dana Cianciotto, Troupe Creator
What are the needs or opportunities we exist to address?
We exist to serve two entities: To provide more theatrical opportunities to the audience and the comedic player.
What are we doing to address these needs?
We serve the audience by soliciting venues and affordable performance opportunities of various kinds in diverse locations within Arizona and especially Tucson. We will utilize different methods such as standup, sketch and televised performances to reach more audiences. We will provide shows without cost as appropriate in order to serve more people and enhance exposure of the troupe and its services. We serve the players by developing and honing the skills of each player to the best of our abilities and resources. We further serve the players by giving them an outlet for their creativity through performance.
What principles or beliefs guide how we do business?
The best performance and best performers are unencumbered by mind-or-mood-altering substances. We support and endorse no-tolerance toward alcohol, illegal drugs, or abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs before or during rehearsals or performances. We will make every effort not to unfairly discriminate in our selection of performers. Age, sex, sexual orientation, religious pursuits, or physical limitations should be set aside in the selection of players. We will develop players to the best of our ability to better prepare them for success in performance-caliber improvisation. We will do this through the rehearsal process of instruction, application, and review. A uniform shall be worn at performances that identifies the player as a member of the troupe.
1. There is Zero Tolerance for drug use, including marijuana, before or during a rehearsal or performance. Troupe members shall abstain from drugs and alcohol for a period no less than one hour prior to and including performance time and rehearsals, for the sake of effective and professional scene work. Risking this is risking your opportunities to perform with the group.
2. NBOJU does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, creed, color, class, nationality, sex, sexual preference, gender, gender identity, experience, looks, appearance, visual aids, hearing aids, sleeping aids, plastic surgery, marital status, background, education, language, bad language, good language, body language, physical handicap, mental handicap, hair color, eye color, accents, clothing style, or anything else that we could possibly discriminate for.
3. NBOJU often performs in bars. Any members of NBOJU who are under 21 must leave promptly after a performance, according to Arizona statute.
4. NBOJU members rehearse 1 or 2 times a week. Troupe members are expected to attend as many rehearsals as possible. We understand that things come up and some rehearsals may be missed, but if it becomes a pattern you will be let go. In cases that do not involve special circumstances, which are determined by the CO-directors, a performer must attend rehearsal the week of a show in order to perform.
5. There are two ways for a troupe member to be removed, or "fired." A. NBOJU Senior Members (members being in the troupe for over a year) may vote democratically for someone's removal. B. An agreement reached by the CO-directors, Mike Pierce and Mark White, to remove an individual.
6. The money NBOJU earns goes into an account strictly for NBOJU use, and covers the costs of things like advertising, T-shirts, microphones, performance spaces, etc. In the event NBOJU plays a highly grossing private or corporate show, performers may receive a stipend.
7. Actions that may cause termination: Attending a rehearsal or performance under the influence of drugs or alcohol; an individual lacking the skills that are necessary to confidently perform with NBOJU; poor rehearsal attendance with no legitimate reason; a negative or confrontational attitude; an individual whose actions cause tension and unrest among the troupe.
8. If and when a situation arises within the troupe, personally or professionally, that needs to be dealt with, it should be brought to the attention of the co-directors quickly and respectfully. If this is a problem due to particulars of the situation, a troupe liaison may be elected to address concerns with the directors on behalf of the involved parties, in order to effect a speedy resolution.
9. NBOJU is currently restructuring its tiered performer system to recognize individual strengths and needs.