Talking with Taylor Martin - Andrea Merlyn's Book of Secrets: Vol. II

During the build-up to the 2011 IndyFringe Festival, IndyFringeTalk 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 Andrea Merlyn's Book of Secrets: Vol. II's Taylor Martin. 


If you could present your show to just one person, who would it be and why?
Teller of Penn and Teller, because he's never gotten to see an Andrea Merlyn show live. He's a mentor and a friend. Plus, he's written a hit off-Broadway play that started as a Fringe show. "Play Dead" by Todd Robbins and Teller.

List 3 words that truly sum up your show.
Glamorous, magic and fun

What is the best way for theater-goers to stay informed about your latest productions?
My website at indymagicmonthly.com or checking out the latest news on my sponsor's website daddyreal.com.

How does fringe theater benefit you as a theater artist?
I would never have started Indy Magic Monthly without it. Having become the face of the Fringe in the first 3 years, it's made me a minor celebrety and I don't have to do my shows in bars where folks never shut up and don't really give a shit about what I'm doing. Only Phil The Void and I have been in every Indy Fringe Festival with a show.

What is the funniest line in your play?
I will not answer that as it will spoil the surprise. You never ask a magician their secrets.

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
Agonizing over another Fringe show, or in a hospital fixing my herniated disk. I'm playing hurt this year.

Why IndyFringe?
Because after my experience with Orlando Fringe and losing nearly $4,000 over 2 years, I can make money here. There's 2 words to "show business" and only one is "show."

Performance Details:
Theatre on the Square.
Saturday, August 20, 10:30pm; Sunday, August 21, 3:30pm; Monday, August 22, 6:00pm; Fridayday, 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

Read more ...

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
This line is reserved entirely for the section between the text and the share buttons below. Thanks.

Read more ...