Talking With Tim Lee - Scientist Turned Comedian

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, FringeTalk interviewed some of the key performers to get insight into their stories, their audience and the Fringe itself. Here is what happened when we sat down with Scientist Turned Comedian's Tim Lee.

1. If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
I've done the show for just one person. When that guy got up to have a smoke I had no idea what to do.

2. List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
Funny, clean, cerebral

3. What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?
You can add me on facebook (facebook.com/youtubecomedian) or check out my website at youtubecomedian.com.

4. How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist/performer?
I spent many years in academia so I'm willing to work for grad student wages.

5. What is the funniest line in your play?
Facebook is more popular than Google because Facebook knows what everyone is interested in ... themselves.

6. Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
Hosting a show for National Geographic.

7. Why IndyFringe?
A great reputation and a great team to work with. Plus it's a lot of fun!

Performance details for this show:
Cook Theatre
Sunday, August 21, l0:30; Monday, August 22, 7:30; 
Friday, August 26, 6:00
; Saturday, August 27, 4:30; Sunday, August 28, 7:30.
Box office: 317-721-9458

Tickets also available at www.indyfringe.org

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Talking With Rebecca Kling - No Gender Left Behind

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, FringeTalk interviewed some of the key performers to get their insight into their stories, their audience and the Fringe itself. Here is what happened when we sat down with No Gender Left Behind's Rebecca Kling.

If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
I'd want my show to be seen by that single person - child, teenager, or adult - who feels alone as a gender non-conforming individual. You aren't alone!

List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
Radical! Queer! Entreating!

What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?I have lots of ways! Sign up for my mailing list at www.Rebeccakling.com, check out my blog at fridaythang.com/blog, or follow me on twitter.com/rebeccakling.

How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist/performer?
Fringe lets me meet tons of awesome people and share my art with folks who might otherwise not be able to see it. I love the Fringe process as a way of engaging in artistic communities that simply wouldn't exist without the hard work of so many great people.

What is the funniest line in your show?
So no one gets to show their asshole or pubic hair. I'm OK with that, I think.

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
Fringing it up! (Cop-out answer...) I dunno. Doing more art, bigger art, with additional awesome people.

Why IndyFringe?
Why not!? I haven't been to IndyFringe before, but I've heard such great things. Likewise, as a Midwesterner myself, I'm excited to take my show on the road but stay in the friendly confines of the Midwest.

Performance details for this show: 
Phoenix Theatre 
Friday, August 19, 9:00; Saturday, August 20, 3:00; 
Sunday, August 21, 7:30
; Wednesday, August 24, 7:30; 
Saturday, August 27, 10:30
; Sunday, August 28, 4:30 
Box office: 317-721-9458 
Tickets also available at www.indyfringe.org
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Talking With Mary Hamilton - Around the World with Cinderella

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, FringeTalk interviewed some of the key performers to get some insight into their stories, their audience and the Fringe itself. Here is what happened when we sat down with Around the World with Cinderella's Mary Hamilton. 

1. If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
Dolly Parton because if anyone understands the rags to riches aspect of the Cinderella story, it's Dolly Parton! I also admire the fact that with her wealth, she could spend all her money indulging herself, but instead she uses it to help children grow into literate adults.  How? Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com

2. List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
Cinderella. Gets. Around.

3. What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest
productions?
Visit my website www.maryhamilton.info where you can learn about all the different sorts of stories I tell. Or, Facebook.com/MaryHamiltonStoryteller.

4. How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist/performer?
I honestly don't know yet, because this if my first ever fringe festival.

5. What is the funniest line in your show?
"Darling, when you are queen, you'll have no need to walk -- cut off your toes."

6. Where do you see yourself in a year's time?
Hmm, is this a trick question?  Wouldn't the appropriate answer be "Back at the Indy Fringe! Where else?!?"

7. Why IndyFringe?
Why not IndyFringe? Reason number 4 -- Indy is not far from where I live in Frankfort, Kentucky; reason number 3 -- Indy is a fabulous city -- I'll have fun being there; reason number 2 -- my brother lives in Indy, so I have a place to stay; reason number 1 -- adults in Indy know a storytelling performance will be entertainment -- a solo performer talking, creating every character in the show, while keeping the narrative thread moving forward, and paying attention to the audience (not acting as if talking to the audience, but really talking to them).  Adults in Indy know that storytellers will not
read aloud to them (an unfortunate common misconception in some places). And how do Indy folks know this?  Storytelling Arts of Indiana has been building storytelling audiences in Indy for years.  If you've never been part of a storytelling audience, now's the time to try it out!

Performance Details for this show: 
Phoenix Theatre 
Saturday, August 20, 1:30; 
Sunday, August 21, 10:30
; Monday, August 22, 7:30; 
Thursday, August 26, 6:00
; Sunday, August 28, 7:30 
Box office: 317-721-9458 
Tickets also available at www.indyfringe.org
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Talking With Danny Russel - Abraham Lincoln: Hoosier Hero

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, IndyFringeTalk interviewed some of the key performers to get their insight into their stories, their audience and the Fringe itself. Here is what happened when we sat down with Abraham Lincoln: Hoosier Hero's Danny Russel. 

1. If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
Honest Abe himself, since he would certainly be astonished by his own phenomenal legacy which simply grows more expansive with each passing year.  He once famously stated, "I am not afraid to die; in fact, I would be more than willing.  Yet I have an overwhelming desire to live so that I may be assured that the world is a better place for my having been in it."  Our finest President would be delighted that his words were entirely prescient.  Lincoln is universally acclaimed as our finest leader ever, and not merely for freeing the slaves on January 1, 1863.

2. List 3 words that truly sum up your show:
Hilarious, heartbreaking, memorable.

3. What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?
Visit www.dannyrussel.com for all the latest details.

4. How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist/performer?
I've been touring the Midwest since 2008 with my Lincoln portrayal, yet fringe theatre offers a completely different audience and allows me to connect with folks who may shun commercial (read: over-priced) entertainment. Fringe-goers don't need spectacle, just a plank and some passion.

5. What is the funniest line in your show?
Lincoln told excruciatingly funny stories mocking his homely appearance but his brilliance cannot be captured in a single line.  His narratives depended not on punchlines but on his unique observations, his wordplay, and his delivery. You'll need to attend the show to judge for yourself what's most comical!

6. Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
In one year I'll be back on the road sharing Lincoln with anyone who values history and humanity.

7. Why IndyFringe?
IndyFringe is a perfect venue -- modest and unassuming but with extraordinary appeal. IndyFringe crowds are imaginative and savvy enough not to place any parameters on what theatre is or what it can accomplish.  In just under an hour, we take an ephemeral and communal journey.  Amazing!

Performance Details:
Phoenix Theatre
749 N Park Avenue,
Indianapolis, 46202
317-635-7539
Saturday, August 20, 10:30pm; Sunday, August 21, 6:00pm; Monday, August 22, 6:00pm; Thursday, August 26, 9:00pm; Saturday, August 27, 6:00pm; Sunday, August 28, 1:30pm.
Box office: 317-721-9458

Tickets also available at www.indyfringe.org

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