Showing posts with label Cook Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cook Theatre. Show all posts

Talking with Rick Cousins - 'The Best Audience Ever'

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, IndyFringeTalk 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 The Best Audience Ever's Rick Cousins.

If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
My dad, because it would mean he was still alive to see me acting like a silly twit...or any other way, for that matter. That's kind of a sentimental Hallmark Hall of Fame answer, but no less true for all that. I also think that a command performance for the Devil would be a shrewd move. After spending an hour with me, he's not likely to want to take me on for all eternity.

List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
"Quirky yet engaging". Or, if you're looking for three adjectives, 'offbeat', 'quirky', and 'engaging'. (Actually, I cheated--'engaging' is actually a present participle, not an adjective, but you get the general idea.)

What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?
The best way to do that is to go to Uncle Fun and Sparky Land, a website (ostensibly) started up on my behalf by a couple of characters who found their way into my work way back when: http://unclefunandsparkyland.blogspot.com/ . It's also a good place to get a sense of where my sense of humor's coming from, and to hear some things I've done over the years in the nearly-obsolescent field of radio comedy.

How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist?
It's a great way to work things out 'on their feet'. Fringe bridges the gap between 'legitimate' theater and more free-form types of live performance like stand-up and improv, in a way that allows you to take a text and let it evolve in its own direction.

What is the funniest line in your play?
The one that stands out is "Bear with me for a moment...I’ve just come from a master class I was teaching in Primal Scream Mime, and it ran a little overtime…there were a few more people trapped in invisible boxes for a little longer than I’d anticipated." (I'm embarrassed to say I had to look this up.)

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
In a mirror or any other reflective surface, same as now. Unless I've turned into a vampire...

But seriously, folks, by this time next year I'm hoping to have defended my M.A. thesis and may j-u-s-t about have time to tour this show to a few more cities, and maybe even bring a new one to Indy. I'd also like to get back on track with some short bits of cheapo animation I promised some friends of mine ages ago (so many drawings...so little time--or is that the other way around...?).

Why IndyFringe?
I came here last summer as the stage manager with Kurt Fitzpatrick for The Last Straight Man in Theatre, and the whole scene just grabbed me. I like the vibe on Mass Ave., and everybody with IndyFringe is great. They're especially understanding of the eccentricities of Canadians--it may be some sort of Commonwealth thing going on with Pauline and you, and so forth. There's also a lot of stuff for an out-of-towner to do in Indianapolis during 'down time'-- I'll be making another visit to the Indiana State museum, and will catch at least one game at Victory Field, if Indians are in town.

For more information on this show, click here.
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Talking with Amy Hayes and Larry Goens - 'The Impressario'

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, IndyFringeTalk 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 The Impressario's Amy Hayes and Larry Goens.

If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
We would want to perform for one young teen who is enthusiastic and hasn't yet made his/her mind up about opera. He/she would, over the years, bring more people to our show than any advertising campaign and help us change the stereotypical opera crowd forever.

List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
cheeky, impertinent and (of course) intimate!

What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?

Check out our website at www.intimateopera.ORG
  
How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist/performer?
Not only is this our debut but it tells audience members everything they need to know about how we produce opera. It's accessible and fun, quirky, irreverent and personal.

What is the funniest line in your show?
"Ladies, ladies, ladies! ... Your hats!"

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
Back at the Fringe with a contemporary opera piece and traveling to other venues to bring opera to the people.
  
Why IndyFringe?
We've seen shows there in the past and the Fringe compliments our mission to provide personal musical     experiences to a diverse community. While our company has some traditional operatic qualities, Intimate     Opera and IndyFringe working together is the perfect way to say, "This is something new!"

For more information on this show, click here.
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Free Tickets Available for the Show 'Illusion' at Cook Theatre

Jared Sherlock, a 23 year old Indiana-born illusionist, first performed at the IndyFringe festival as a 16 year old student.   A favorite of IndyFringe audiences over the years, he brings an eclectic, high energy show which will delight and amaze the entire family. This year, Sherlock fuses magic with comedy, dancing and acting in a modern-day variety show “Illusion.”

In partnership with Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St Vincent and the IndyFringe Festival Free Fringe tickets and Festival 'Backer Buttons' will be awarded to the first 130 people at three performances at The Cook Theatre, Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 North Central Avenue,  Indianapolis, 46202.  The box office opens 30 minutes before the show commences.   Public parking and handicap access is available at Indiana Landmarks Centre.

Saturday, August 20, 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 24, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 28, 4:30 p.m.

Sherlock grew up in Carmel, Ind. and began performing magic when he was eight years old. Since his graduation (2011) from Saint John’s University with a major in Entrepreneurship and Theater, Sherlock transitioned from student to full-time performer. He established the Minneapolis-based production company The Magic of Jared Sherlock in 2000 and continues to tour the nation with his illusion-filled act.

Sherlock makes a contribution to the community with the proceeds from each performance and will make a special performance at the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent on August 22.  Sherlock previously established his own charitable foundation, ArtsNow, and is dedicated to the mission of helping people in need overcome obstacles and achieve their magical dreams.

For more information :  www.indyfringe.org   Tel: 317 869 6611
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Talking with Jared Sherlock - Illusion

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, IndyFringeTalk 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 Illusion's Jared Sherlock.

1. If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
Steve Martin.  He is a world class performer and a hilarious magician.

2. List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
VEGAS meets INDY.

3. What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?
www.JaredSherlock.com or follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

4. How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist/performer?
It's my hometown, and I think it is the best Fringe Festival in the nation!

5. What is the funniest line in your show?
You are my favorite audience, and I truly mean it this time.

6. Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
On Tour.

7. Why IndyFringe?
I was born and raised in Indianapolis, and my first professional debut was in the first annual IndyFringe.
For more details of this show click here.
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Dyslexic Comic Appearing in the Indianapolis Fringe Festival

When Cats Could Fly is a family comedy event.  A dyslexic childhood in New York City has given Eric Wolf a rich tapestry of warm funny family stories (fact and fiction) to draw upon for your entire family’s amusement. (Ages 9 to 99)  This show has an empowering effect on parents of dyslexic children, dyslexic students and other students who have learning struggles.  Eric Wolf will be performing “When Cats Could Fly…” at the local Cook Theater as a part of the Indianapolis Fringe festival.  

Eric Wolf has performed on three continents and in over a thousand venues.  Winner of a 2010 Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network, host of the Art of Storytelling Show with over 400,000 lifetime downloads and founder of the International School of Storytelling. 

He has represented storytelling at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., The National Storytelling Conference Talk Story Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii and many other places around the globe. You can learn more about Eric Wolf at his website http://www.ericwolf.org or the Indianapolis Fringe Festival Website at http://www.indyfringe.org/

Performance times:

Saturday, August 20 at 10:30 PM, Sunday August 21 at 6:00 PM, Monday August 22 at 6:00 PM, Friday August 26 at 9:00 PM, Saturday August 27 at 6:00 PM and Sunday August 28 at 1:30 PM
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