Crew:
Shot by: Matt Adams, Chloe Smolkin, Andrew Flynn Soltys
Photography: Katie Sokoler (Photo credit for all photos on this page)
Cast:
Conductor: Charlie Todd
Sleepers: Patrick Cassels, Cody Lindquist
For our latest mission we converted a New York City subway car into a “sleeper car,” giving New Yorkers the chance to rest their heads during a late night commute. We set up three beds, each outfitted with a comforter, pillow, and sheets. Pajamas, sleep masks, and earplugs were also provided as part of this unauthorized free service. The project took place on the above-ground N train in Astoria, Queens around midnight on a Sunday evening.
The Sleeper Car was produced by Improv Everywhere as part of the Guggenheim Museum exhibition stillspotting nyc. This is our third collaboration in the series, the others being The Mute Button and Say Something Nice.
Enjoy the video first and then go behind the scenes with our report below.

Agents Cassels and Lindquist model their pajamas

Assembling the beds on the outdoor platform in Astoria





Agent Cassels reads before bed









There were a few riders along the way who were very curious to learn more about what we were doing. I informed them it was a pilot program and that we were trying to get funding. I think a few of the more gullible folks bought it, but most people just laughed and understood it for what it was, a bit of out-of-the-ordinary fun. We’ve staged over a dozen different ideas in subway cars over the past 11 years, and it remains one of our favorite “stages.” I love the sense of community that develops when a random car of people have an opportunity to share something fun.

OTHER RESOURCES:
– Many more photos in higher resolution:
– Agent Sokoler’s Flickr Set
– Download the song from the video for free.