Coffee, Red Bull and a touch of sleep-deprived insanity - that's what is likely on tap for Graham Myers this weekend.

Myers and five other actors from the Second Storey Theatre group will stage Improvathon, a 50-hour, non-stop show to run for the duration of the weekend.

Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 and ending at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, the show will feature a rotating cast of actors from across Metro Vancouver and Washington state.

Partial proceeds from the marathon event will be donated to the Port Coquitlam-based Learning Disabilities Association.

"It's a good format for raising money," said Myers, who serves as both owner and artistic director at Second Storey. "And because we're a fairly new company, I feel like it's a good way to push the company and the actors a little bit further to really see what they're made of."

While Myers will serve as the director for Improvathon, the five actors that will take to the stage include Ian McMurray, Jamieson McCormack, Matthew Simmons, Kennedy Kirk and Rachelle Tomm.

They will be allowed to take just three, 30-minute breaks during the event.

According to Myers, some of the actors have already begun prepping for the improv onslaught by changing their sleep patterns and diets.

"There are some people that are definitely preparing for it already, but unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow me to do any prep work, so I'm probably going to be the first one to die or pass out," he said.

The format of Improvathon will see three mainstay shows - referred to as Sudden Death Improv - serve as the anchor for each night's entertainment.

Scheduled around those two-hour performances are acts from the Vancouver TheatreSports League, the Instant Theatre Company and the Vancouver-based improv group known as the Bobbers, who are billed as "queer comedy improv."

A pair of prize packs will also be offered in the form of a pocket bike and a chance to win a lifetime pass to every Second Storey Theatre show in perpetuity.

But there's a catch. "If you come to the Improvathon and you stay for the whole thing and take the three half-hour naps like we do, you win free passes for life to see shows at Second Storey Theatre," Myers said. "If you're able to pull that off, you've earned it."

A number of ticket packages are being offered: $30 for the entire weekend or $5 for individual shows (excluding Sudden Death Improv).

Tickets for the Sudden Death Improv shows range in price between $10 and $12.

Second Storey Theatre is located at 2550 Shaughnessy St. in PoCo.

For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.secondstoreytheatre.com.

jkurucz@thenownews.com