FREEHOLD FORUM DECEMBER 2007 ISSUE

 



    FREEHOLD FORUM 2007 DECEMBER ISSUE


 

This month we are privileged to feature the following:

  • Lauren Weedman. Find out why LA Weekly calls Lauren's work "funny and poignant, ferocious and precise", read what drives Lauren to be personally revealing in her work and what she appreciates about Freehold.

  • Gino Yevdjevich. Read what has inspired international performing artist and Freehold Theatre's Engaged Theatre contributor Gino Yevdjevich to "play every song like it's his last one."

  • Andy Peters. Follow along on the theatre-turned-stand-up-comic journey Andy has been on and learn how Freehold fit in on that path.

  • BENEFIT FOR FREEHOLD. On Monday, December 17th at 7:30 p.m., Freehold Theatre's Benefit will feature performances by some of the most talented professionals in the area including Lauren Weedman, Robin Lynn Smith, George Lewis, Geof Alm, Daemond Arrindell, Gin Hammond, Annette Toutonghi, Amy Thone and Hans Altwies and Matt Smith as M.C.

  • Freehold Faculty and Student News/Shows. Get the most current news about the upcoming performances (and get them on your schedule now!) that Freehold faculty and students are performing in locally, nationally and internationally.

  • Freehold Calendar News.

We always appreciate your input. Please feel free to contact us at (206) 323-7499 x14 or kate@freeholdtheatre.org with story ideas, upcoming shows of Freehold students and articles that you would like to see highlighted.  

 



    Getting to Know Lauren Weedman

 


Lauren Weedman made her television debut on Comedy Central's Emmy Award-winning The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in 2001 as a featured Correspondent, was seen on NPR's national political satire show REWIND and for two years was a cast member for Almost Live. Additional shows of Lauren's include Homecoming, which appeared Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre, Rash, Wreckage, and most recently Bust which played at The Empty Space Theatre in 2006. She currently lives and performs in Los Angeles and this year appeared as a lead character along with Eddie Griffin in Pryor Offenses, a half-hour pilot for Showtime based on Richard Pryor's life. Lauren recently completed her book entitled "A Woman Trapped in A Woman's Body (Stories from a Life of Cringe)" and is featured in a new series called "Our Bodies, Myself" on the Oxygen Channel. The Stranger has called her "the funniest woman alive" and LA Weekly reported "Seriously, you want to meet her. You want to know her. You want to be friends with her in that way you always dreamed of being friends with, well, Lou Reed is the other one. I know being star struck isn't very professional, but there it is." Here is your chance to get to know Lauren...

In addition to being an actor, a writer and a solo performer you are also portraying the character Lauren Butterfield (self-certified therapist and author of "Our Bodies, Myself") in a series of very funny episodes on the Oxygen Channel. What were the challenges and joys of developing and performing the pieces for this character?

I would say this character was the easiest I've ever done because the humor was all based on her weaknesses of her physical and mental self ... both areas that I find ripe for humor.... and I was creating the character with a friend of mine who makes me laugh ... and who laughs way too easily at my dumb jokes ... and that was the support that I needed to take the jokes to a very extreme place. And creating for the Internet was a wide-open free field where we never had to say or think the dreaded two words ... "too far".

The challenge of the character was making her seem like a actual host while still hitting the jokes -- and it's been interesting to see the geniuses who are confused by the series ... not completely sure if I'm serious or not. Women's issues have been taken so seriously that it was hard to get folks to always see that it was a parody. Even when dealing with coffee enema's.

more ...  
 

    BENEFIT FOR FREEHOLD

 


STARS TURN OUT FOR FREEHOLD

BENEFIT FOR FREEHOLD THEATRE

Post Benefit Bon Voyage Party for George Lewis

Monday, December 17th at 7:30 p.m.

Performances by Lauren Weedman, Robin Lynn Smith, George Lewis, Geof Alm, Daemond Arrindell, Gin Hammond, Amy Thone and Hans Altwies, Annette Toutonghi and Matt Smith as M.C.

This is a night you do not want to miss.

Join us for a spectacular evening of entertainment by a collection of the most talented performers the city has to offer and support Seattle's beloved Freehold Theatre. See the incomparable Freehold Faculty perform on stage for one night only! A post-benefit Bon Voyage Party will be held in honor of George Lewis who will be leaving Freehold after 16 years of dedicated service.

more ...  
 

    "Playing Every Song Like My Last One" Interview with Gino Yevdjevich

 

Gino Yevdjevich has been a significant contributor to Freehold Theatre's Engaged Theatre Program for the last six summer tours. In addition to his work as the composer, musical director and band member in the Engaged Theatre Summer Tour, Gino also has been a member of the highly acclaimed band Kultur Shock described as Balkan punk rock gypsy metal wedding-meets-riot music from Bulgaria, the US, Japan, and Bosnia.

Gino, I understand you were born and raised in Sarajevo. What was your experience growing up in Sarajevo?

When I was growing up, Sarajevo was a very normal city. It was a city like any other city in any part of the western world. I tend to not get into a history lesson with people around where I lived because usually they think that they know where Sarajevo is and say something like "Oh Russia" and I say "yes, whatever".

I grew up like every other Italian boy across the street. We were the Iron Curtain itself ... it was pretty good because we got to trade with the Eastern Block and you guys. We had the best passport in the world ... the Yugoslavian passport was the best passport in the world ... we could go anywhere and we didn't need a visa for any country, ever .... which is amazing and now we need a visa for everywhere.

more ...  
 

    "Going Solo: My Transition from Theatre to Stand-Up Comedy" by Andy Peters

 

Way back in the year 2000 I was studying Theatre at Central Michigan University (Take your right hand, palm facing you. Touch your left index finger to the middle of your palm. That is CMU.) I had a few productions under my belt. My credits at the time included playing a prince in a fairy tale, a little kid in a musical, a reporter in a murder mystery, a Native American in Annie Get Your Gun and "Wacko the wooden puppet" in Annie. I was ready to take the next step towards having a serious career in Theatre. Within my first semester at CMU, the amazing staff taught me how to properly deliver a monologue, how to uncover the intent of a character, and most importantly, that the actor is only as good as the ensemble. I was excelling in Acting 1. My scene studies received rave reviews from the fellow students, and less than harsh criticism from the Professor. I was beginning to feel that I could be good at this.

more ...  
 

    Freehold News

 

Winter Classes at Freehold

Freehold Theatre's Winter class registration is now open. An early 5% registration discount will be in effect through Friday, December 14th. Winter Quarter Classes start in January, 2008.

Give the Priceless Gift of the "Freehold Experience"

Do you have someone in your life that has thought of taking an acting, directing or playwriting class or perhaps you see that potential in them but they haven't yet acted on those talents? Freehold gift certificates are the ideal gift for the actor, playwright or director in your life. For information, call our registrar at (206) 323-7499 or info@freeholdtheatre.org.

Freehold Annual Fund Drive

Consider including Freehold in your fall contributions this fall! Our Freehold community will be receiving a request soon to contribute to our Annual Fund Drive. The generous contributions of our donors allows us to continue to offer exceptional classes at affordable rates, produce an Engaged Theatre Tour which brings theatre to underserved populations and provide rehearsal spaces at incredibly reasonable rates. We also always appreciate you checking in with your employers about matching gifts programs which make your dollars go that much further.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Performance and Rehearsal Spaces Available at Freehold

Freehold has two spectacular performance spaces: The East Hall Theatre and The Ground Floor Studio Theatre and two additional rooms, Walt and Workspace, for rent. The East Hall Theatre is a 92 seat theatre and is a popular performance space for long and short runs and also good for large group rehearsals and photo shoots. The Ground Floor Studio Theatre is an inviting and spacious venue with 16 foot ceilings and a 49-seat Black Box theatre. It has everything you will need for your upcoming production ... a new sound system, new seats, and new design for a price beyond affordable! Rental rates include an additional roomy dressing room. For more information, contact Jason Gorgen at Freehold: (206) 323-7499 x13 or email at rentals@freeholdtheatre.org.

    Freehold Faculty/Alum Shows and News

 

FREEHOLD FACULTY NEWS

Geof Alm is working on Birdie Blue at the Seattle Rep running November 15 - December 16. Info: www.seattlerep.org and The Neverending Story running December 7 - January 27th. Info: www.sct.org at Seattle Children's Theatre.

Daemond Arrindell. Every Wednesday night at ToST in Fremont, The Seattle Poetry Slam hosts a spoken word extravaganza. 8 p.m., $5 cover, 21 & over IC required, go to www.poetryfestival.org.

Tim Hyland is directing The Santaland Diaries at Seattle Public Theatre, www.seattlepublictheatre.org opening November 30 and running through December 24. He will also be appearing in The Neverending Story at Seattle Children's Theatre, www.sct.org, opening December 7 and running through January 29th.

John Jacobsen just completed his screenplay adaptation of E. Nesbitt's "House of Arden" for a Los Angeles production company and is starting research for a studio feature, a film based on the infamous WWII battle in Huertgen Forest. He is also scheduled to start production in '08 on "Sweat", a PBS documentary on the history of the famous saunas and spas around the world.

Marya Sea Kaminski will play Hedda in WET's interpretation of Hedda Gabler, called Blah Blah Blah Bang: A Pistol Fit in One Act at On the Boards running December 13-17.

Paul Mullin's had a reading of his play The Sequence at the Salk Institute in San Diego on Dec. 1. Paul's latest play The Ten Thousand Things will be playing at WET running May 23 - June 16. A mysterious messenger. A frustrated writer. A clock in the desert that will keep time for 10,000 years. A play that changes itself over time. Inspired by the 10,000 Year Clock Project of the Long Now Foundation, local playwright Paul Mullin weaves science, futurism, philosophy and politics together in this world premiere exploring the deep future, directed by Braden Abraham My Name is Rachel Corrie. For more information, www.washingtonensemble.org.

Matt Smith can be seen in the recently nationally released feature film "Outsourced" produced by local film company Shadowcatcher. For more information, go to Outsourcedthemovie.

Annette Toutonghi will be in The Women at ACT running from October 5 through December 16th. For more information, www.acttheatre.org.

FREEHOLD STUDENT/ALUM NEWS

Michelle Flowers will be playing the adult lead (Grace) in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Seattle Public Theater - at the Bathhouse on Greenlake. The show opens December 7 and runs Thurs-Sat at 7:00 pm and Sun at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Also, two shows on Christmas Eve 1:00 and 3:00pm (closing performance).

Evan Gackstatter is part of Dr. G and the funky recovery. For more information about the band, go to www.famecast.com/drgandthefunkyrecovery.

Jason Gorgen will be sound designing Book-It's Peter Pan, www.book-it.org.

Lee Ann Hittenberger is playing Eleanor in Lion in Winter at Renton Civic Theatre, www.rentoncivictheatre.org running December 7 - 23rd.

Lynn Jepson will be appearing in Spin the Bottle/60 Seconds Max at Annex Theatre, go to www.annextheatre.org Theater on Dec. 7th and in Intersection at Richard Hugo House, www.hugohouse.org on December 7th and 8th.

Louise Penberthy will be playing Mildred Peake in Spider's Web by Agatha Christie with Valley Community Players. It plays February 1 - 17, www.valleycommunityplayers.org and has a staged reading of her play Just That One Nice Evening at Freehold, January 11 & 12. Scenes from the first act of this play were workshopped in the Studio Series last January. www.wonderworks.com/newplay/.

Andy Peters will be performing January 9th for his first stand up dvd taping at Chop Suey in Capitol Hill at 9:30 p.m. For more information, www.chopsuey.com.

Carter Rodriguez is performing in Peter Pan at Book-It Repertory Theatre.

    Freehold Theatre Guild

 

Freehold Theatre Guild

The Theatre Guild is composed of a group of Freehold students and alumni who have shared in the unique Freehold experience. Freehold Theatre Guild's (FTG's) stated mission is "To help members of the Freehold Theatre Guild make the transition from student to active participant in the greater theater community". For those interested in joining Freehold's Theatre Guild, email Andy Tribolini at atribolini@hotmail.com with your desire to join. You will receive confirmation of membership by receiving notices about monthly meetings and activities in which you are strongly encouraged to participate. The Theatre Guild would love to have you be a part of the group!

 

 



    Yahoo Your Way to Help Freehold Using www.goodshop.com and www.goodsearch.com!

 

Here is a free, quick and painless way to contribute financially to Freehold via Goodshop.com and Goodsearch.com!

It's time for holiday shopping again! And, if you shop through GoodShop.com, they'll donate an average of 3% (and up to 37%) of all of your purchases to Freehold Theatre. GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which features hundreds of great stores including Best Buy, Macy's, Apple, Nike, eBay, the Gap, Target, and more. It's easy, just go to GoodShop, click on the store's logo and then shop as your normally would! You get the exact same prices and service as if you went directly to the store's website.

GoodSearch is a search engine (www.goodsearch.com) which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It's a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it's powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers - the users and the organizations do not spend a dime! To support Freehold, on the "Who do you search the web for?" type in Freehold and search away! Every time you do a search, money gets added to Freehold's account. Make "goodsearch.com" your home page and encourage your friends to do the same by going to: http://www.goodsearch.com/MakeHomepage.aspx.

Thank you for your continued support!

    About Freehold

 

A group of artists, who after years of professional work felt that the full potential of the theatrical event had yet to be realized, founded Freehold Theatre in the summer of 1991 when two prominent actor studios-the Pasqualini-Smith Studio (est. 1985) and the Mark Jenkins Actors' Workshop (est. 1985) joined forces. The founders, Robin Lynn Smith, Mark Jenkins and George Lewis, among others, are professional actors and directors whose credentials include recognized work on and off Broadway, as well as in major films, television, and regional theatre. They formulated the following mission: Freehold engages artists of all levels in training and experimentation so that they may become more innovative and heartfelt in generating theatre that has a lasting impact on the community we serve.

As a center for the development and practice of theatre, Freehold Theatre is committed to art that embraces the full range of human experience and that inspires performers and audience to connect more deeply to themselves and to each other. We move toward this goal in four ways:

  • Our Studio provides a place for actors, from inspired novices to working professionals, to train.
  • Our Theatre Lab provides a forum for mature artists to research and develop new work and to re-interpret classics.
  • Our Engaged Theatre Program reaches out to culturally under-served communities.
  • Our rehearsal and performance facilities in the Oddfellows Bulding on Capitol Hill comprises of four rehearsal and performance studios, including a fully equipped 92-seat black box theatre. The facilities and equipment are available for rent at very reasonable rates.
Here we strive to provide our artists with the tools necessary to make a deep and lasting impact on the community based on organic esthetics. Freehold has become an integral part of Seattle's thriving theatre community, having gained a reputation as the place for serious young artists to train and take the leap into performing and creating original work.

In 2003 we developed an Engaged Theatre program in which we reach out to culturally under-served communities. The program comprises an annual tour to organizations that represent culturally under-served populations and a four-month residency at Washington Corrections Center for Women, in which the women create, rehearse and perform a theatre production. This year for the first time, George Lewis has developed a similar pilot program at the Monroe Correctional Center for Men.

For more information about our programs and services see our website: www.freeholdtheatre.org.

    What is the Freehold Forum?

 

The Freehold Forum E-Newsletter was born out of our desire to respond to requests from you, our Freehold community, to hear about the innovative and powerful work being done at Freehold Theatre by our incredibly talented and diverse faculty and alumni. The Forum will provide you with a wealth of information that will serve you in your work as an artist. The monthly Freehold Forum will include insightful interviews with talented actors, directors and playwrights, compelling articles on a wide array of topics to assist you in your artistic growth, cutting edge news on upcoming Freehold Faculty and alumni performances, highly newsworthy articles by Freehold's Theatre Guild and Freehold Calendar Highlights showcasing upcoming must-see Freehold Calendar events.

    Become A Part of the Freehold Community!

 

Freehold is always looking for people interested in joining our team of committed and enthusiastic volunteers. Whether you have time, wisdom, strength, money, a desire to be involved in your community, or any combination thereof, we would love to have you join in our efforts. Here are some ways you can participate in our work at Freehold:

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are highly treasured at Freehold!! We rely on and appreciate the invaluable and diverse skills our volunteers contribute which enable us to further our mission. We are currently seeking volunteers to help us with our administrative functions, staff performances and fundraising events!! If you have the desire to be part of a committed group of staff and other volunteers, please give us a call at 206-323-7499.

Donations

Freehold is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely on philanthropic donations from the community to help us continue to be a part of the theatre community and to keep the cost of our classes affordable.

Donations may be sent to: Freehold Theatre, 1525 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122.

back to top  
 

 

Getting to Know Lauren Weedman

There are so many memorable moments in your show BUST but there was one in particular that stood out for me. There is a point when the stage gets lit in tiers and you respond with a look of horror on your face, as you seem to realize how horrendous it must be for these women to be in jail. How did your experience volunteering in jail impact and/or change you as a person and as a performer?

Shit. I've cut that part of the show because it was so hard to light in other theatres.... Now I'm too bummed to answer the question.

Dealing with a subject that can be so intense and political and loaded was something that I've always been scared to do. Always fearing that maybe I'm too much of a dancing clown schmoe lady to really tackle bigger issues ... and the experience of turning my time there into a theatre piece was more stressful than any other show I've done. And I was glad I took on that challenge -- and glad with everything I put in the show -- I'd have mini debates with myself ... "Why are you putting this in? What if an inmate came to see this show - would you feel comfortable with them in the audience -- or worried that you were exploiting them?" I liked the constant moral weighing and challenge of the show...

You were featured on the cover of LA Weekly and the interviewer noted that "she's such a good actor, a true actor who inhabits every moment, but because she isn't afraid to cop to them in the very realest sense. We see ourselves in those moments, and as hideous as they are, she lets us laugh. It's kind of healing, in a way." What is the experience like for you as a performer to dive into these very personal experiences - healing, challenging, liberating?

Oh man ... this has recently been an issue with the book that I just wrote. So many responses from people not familiar with my work of an almost horror at how personal it seems - and how self-divulging I am - like it's a problem and they wonder why I need to tell every gross and personal detail. For me - the choice to look at my psyche and my life and emotions and use it as art ... is like a study of humanity. And I hope if I'm honest enough about it -- I'll feel a connection with ... folks. Sometimes it's liberating ... mostly in the performance of it. The discussions afterwards ... where I am asked to explain "why" and "what's wrong with me" etc. ... that is less enjoyable. But ultimately - the goal is connection ... and if that happens when a truth is revealed ... I am completely satisfied and fall in love with theatre over and over again. That was sort of a pompous answer.

In many of the articles written about you and your work, the raves are unending whether it is The Stranger noting you are "the funniest woman alive" or the LA Weekly article in which the interviewer demanded to know "Why isn't she a huge star?" How do you feel about where you are in your career and are there certain dream jobs that you aspire to?

The same aspects to myself that make my work what it is -- are the same things that get in my way to massive success. Does that make any sense? My manager in LA gets mad at me because she wants me to not be "so affected by everyone around me and just do my work" ... "But I am." It's hard for me to be to be around others working sometimes ... I can get to be a bit of an open wound ... or zelig ... whatever. But I'm working on being able to work in the room where there is insane Hollywood behavior going on...

Dream Jobs? As long as I'm doing theatre ... that is my dream - over and over again. The only thing I have not done that I'd like to do is to write and perform in film ... to do film and theatre ... those are both art forms I love.

We are really thrilled that you'll be reading from your book "A Woman Trapped in a Woman's Body: Stories from a Life of Cringe" at Freehold's upcoming Benefit on Monday, December 17th. Can you tell our readers your connection to and experience with Freehold?

Uhmmm ... I had a boyfriend who took classes there long ago -- and then my friend Matt Smith and Suzy Scheider were both heroes of mine and I was drawn to the theatre thru them. I love the teachers and the classes that they have offered for years there. They always seem like REAL theatre to me ... the study -- the freedom and the play of it all. And I've always liked the "I'm a pilot who's always wanted to be an improv actor" aspect to it. "IT'S A MAGICAL LAND WHERE MARRIED PEOPLE CAN MASSAGE STRANGERS UNDER THE GUISE OF 'IT'S A THEATRE THING'" (just kidding) and they've been supportive of me using the space for performances (Wreckage)... that was another horrible answer. I've a got a million of them!

Lauren will be reading from her book at Freehold's upcoming benefit on Monday, December 17th, 7:30 p.m. at Freehold's East Hall Theatre. Tickets: $50.00, Current Freehold Students: $25.00. For tickets: www.freeholdtheatre.org/benefit/ or (206) 323-7499.

back to top  
 

 

Benefit for Freehold

This star-studded evening includes: Lauren Weedman who will read from her recent book "A Woman Trapped in a Woman's Body: Stories from a Life of Cringe". Robin Lynn Smith, George Lewis and Annette Toutonghi will perform a special not-to-be-missed piece. Gin Hammond will perform work from her renowned and highly acclaimed The Syringa Tree which Peter Marks from the Washington Post noted was "Ferociously heartfelt ... Every moment with this gifted young actress feels special" and Jayne Blanchard's review from The Washington Times said to "Put down this newspaper ... and buy some tickets." Amy Thone, recipient of the Stranger's 2007 Genius Award, and Hans Altwies, routinely described in his performances as "sensational" and "the best Shakespeare actor in the city" will captivate the attendees with their Shakespeare genius. Daemond Arrindell, Seattle Slammaster, will perform his spoken word prowess and Geof Alm, will share his virtuoso talents. All masterfully hosted by Freehold and Seattle's favorite Improv wizard Matt Smith serving as Master of Ceremonies.

After the benefit, there will be a bon voyage party for George Lewis in Crow (appetizers and no-host bar). George Lewis (Founding Partner, Associate Director) has been working in the field of movement theatre for over 30 years. He has been teaching acting and movement across the U.S. and Canada since 1978, and as core faculty at Freehold. Join us in saying goodbye and thank-you to our beloved instructor, associate director, and founding member as he leaves Freehold after 16 years of teaching, service, and inspiration.

Monday, December 17th at 7:30 p.m. @ Freehold's East Hall Theatre

1525 10th Avenue, Seattle

Tickets: $50.00, Current Freehold Students: $25.00

For tickets: www.freeholdtheatre.org/benefit or (206) 323-7499

George Lewis Bon Voyage Party 9:00 -10:30 p.m. (free)

back to top  
 

 

"Playing Every Song Like My Last One" by Gino Yevdjevich

What were you working on in Sarajevo?

From 1985-1990, I recorded my first album in Sarajevo, became a composer of the National Theatre, had three gold records and also had been doing a lot of theatre work. I also graduated from Sarajevo School of Law which gave me a great general education, helped me to know where the countries are.

Then the war broke out and I stayed and continued to work as an artist. You don't really leave your country when things like that happen. When shit happens, no one thinks it is really going to happen and then when I figured out how bad it was going to be, it was too late to get out. I was working but basically you weren't able to really work. I ended up doing a musical adaptation of Hair and we performed every single night. The thing was that people started coming to the theatre and the theatre was full of people, which never happens ... you know that. You couldn't, before or after the war, force people to come in ... if you stood outside and said "I'm seriously going to hurt you if you don't come into the theatre," you still wouldn't get them to come in ... they'd come up with some excuse not to go. We were living without electricity, without television shows, without "important" things ... but I have a theory that at the beginning of civilization there was art, then there was marriage, then after that there was a tribe, then a union of tribes, and so on. People started to seek out theatre and to see visual exhibits because there was no money, there was no supply and demand, no advertisement, no day jobs, so people were free and so people became artists in their own way ... what I learned was that wealth and working had nothing in common.

The experience made me who I am. I stopped being a pop singer, a recording artist, stopped thinking about material wealth. I lost everything in the war. I had a couple of video stores, a house in the mountains, a couple of apartments and lost all of that within 24 hours. What can you do, it's just money. I learned a lot out of that experience including learning to play every song like it is my last one...

How did you end up coming to the United States?

I met up with Joan Baez and a few others, Krist Novoselic who is Croatian, and initially I was illegal but then legal under the "alien of exceptional abilities" title. Joan and others were interested in doing a movie about what had gone in Sarajevo but in the end the money wasn't there to do it. I continued to do my music and my band Kultur Shock was formed. We have been together as a group for 11 years, played all over Europe and are now working on our fifth album.

What has drawn you to the work you have done with the Engaged Theatre Program?

I was doing some work for Cornish and met Robin Lynn Smith through some people there. For me, I love the music and love doing theatre ... I love to perform. It was also incredible to perform in the prisons. I have to say that had been something that I had been afraid of but it's been good. The people I've met there have been some great people. It is tough sometimes when you are performing in public places ... one time we were setting up to practice in a neighborhood and someone in a neighboring apartment shouted out "Would you stop it? I'm trying to sleep!" but you know that's how it goes. It's worked out with the timing with my work with my band, as June tends to be slow so I'm available to do the Engaged Tour. I may not end up making a lot of money, but I'm doing what I want to be doing.

If you want to see the incredible power of Kultur Shock, they will be performing in Portland on January 18 at Doug Fir, in Seattle on January 19th and 20th at The Crocodile. For more information go to, www.kulturshock.com and to see a review of Kultur Shock from the Village Voice, go to, www.villagevoice.com.

back to top  
 

 

"Going Solo: My Transition from Theatre to Stand-Up Comedy" by Andy Peters

In the fall of that semester, my roommate brought to my attention something that changed my life forever. He pointed out a notice in the school newspaper for an audition. The school was holding what they called the "funniest person on campus" contest. The winner would be awarded the opening spot for Colin Quinn, of Saturday Night Live fame, who was performing at the Homecoming comedy show. My roommate circled the notice, sat it in front of me and said, "This has got your name written all over it. You are the funniest guy I know." I had always wanted to try stand-up. However, I wasn't the funniest guy I knew. Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Sam Kinneson, Andy Kaufman, Johnny Carson, and Mitch Hedberg were my comedy heroes, and they were the funniest people that I knew ... of. I don't know what pushed me to go for it, but I did. The audition was in the next week, and I had no material. I had no idea how to come up with a joke, or how to properly write a joke, so I made up my own rules. I spent that week writing whatever struck me as funny. If you were a one of my friends or family and you did something silly or outrageous, you got written about in my little red notebook. I wrote about my parents' quirky tendencies, growing up in Michigan, and college life. I was happy with what I wrote, but the performance part terrified me.

On the day of the audition I came very close to chickening out at the last minute. My friends rallied and pulled me back in. They gave me advice that I still use when I am on stage, "Don't second guess your material. Say everything with confidence." Long story short, I told my jokes with tons of energy, and had a blast. I got to open for Colin Quinn in front of a packed 5,000 seat sports arena. I knew from that moment that I wanted comedy to be my career. The exhilaration that I felt when I connected with that audience was addicting and I wanted more.

It turns out that I would not make it on to a stage to perform comedy for three years after that first time. I was bitten hard with the acting bug my sophomore year when I got my first part in a college performance. I spent my remaining college years dedicated to the theatre. I acted in numerous productions, and received my Bachelors of Science in Theatre studies. My college credits included a wolf, a young go-getter from Brooklyn, a dimwitted inventor, and a Nazi. A little more impressive than my high school credits. Along the way I met a beautiful actress named Kait (that is not a misprint - that is how she spells it), who would later become my wife. We decided, while we were in college, that once we graduated we would start a new life together in an exciting city. After one visit, we chose Seattle. We felt that Seattle had a vibrant art scene that would allow us to both grow as performers. So far, we have not been let down.

Once we arrived in Seattle I was hit hard with the desire to give comedy another go. I went online and did some research into where I could get some stage time. I was not surprised to find that Seattle offered many more options than Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, did. I wrote some new jokes and immediately threw myself into the scene. In my first year of performing I learned more about comedy and myself as a performer than I ever dreamed possible. One thing that I learned is that it is possible to make decent money performing in the Seattle area. I networked with fellow comedians and learned how to get involved in every show that I could. I quickly grew confident in both my writing and performing. Comedy is now my full time job.

I attribute my confidence on stage to my background in theatre. Through studying drama I learned that making bold choices is never a bad thing. I carry this mentality with me to the stage every night. The connections I make with the audience are very much like the ones I made while performing a scripted piece, except being a solo performer - I break the fourth wall every chance I can. Also, I never have to shout "line". In the world of stand-up the outcome lies directly on your head. You can't blame anyone for a flubbed line or a missed queue. This is what excites me to continue in the world of comedy. There are no rules. It is whatever I make it. I like the idea that the audience has no clue what I am going to say next, and hopefully what I say evokes laughter.

One thing that I have learned along the way is that a performer must always keep his tools sharp. That is where Freehold comes in. I have discovered that the more skills I have, the more the industry types are interested in me. I have heard this many times: "You're funny, now, what else can you do." Through the workshops that I have been involved with at Freehold, I say with confidence that I can also act, write, and (after this fall), do some voice over work. I also want to take stage combat, in case my audience ever gets out of line.

Andy will be performing January 9th for his first stand up dvd taping at Chop Suey in Capitol Hill at 9:30 p.m. For more information, www.chopsuey.com. For more information about Andy's upcoming performances, go to: www.myspace.com/andypeterscomedy.

back to top