#atlfringe2016

 1. Why should anybody see your show? 

We've been tackling genre comedy for years, especially with our Fringe Festival shows. We've done talk shows, fairy tales, brainwashing cults, and a Dust Bowl comedy. We've been waiting to sic our comedy/horror style on a sci fi story, and this year is finally the time!

2. Why Atlanta? 

Twinhead Theatre was founded and formed here! Atlanta is in our blood, so we make sure to spill that blood over as many Atlanta stages as we can!

3. What inspired you to create this? 

A Sci-Fi horror comedy has been a long time coming for us. We actually began with the idea for an underground bunker story, but that bunker eventually evolved into a Spaceship and we decided this was the right concept for the genre we'd been waiting for. The story is inspired by our favorite sci-fi horror movies- Alien, Event Horizon, Dark Star, a few dozen Doctor Who and Star Trek episodes, and whatever else in the genre we'd grown up seeing. In developing the story, it was important to us not to "parody" that genre, but to just set the story we were telling in it. We aimed for a story that's comedic by nature, but which has its own unique story with difficult choices, real consequences, and characters whose fate you're invested in.

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this? 

We started by listing out our favorite Sci-fi tropes and stereotypes, and piecing together a story using some of those as fixed points we wanted to see play out on stage. Once we knew how many actors we were using, we used that many characters to live through the plot we'd designed, and that filled in the spaces between those points. We've given ourselves a little extra time to rehearse from our usual schedule, since the show is so large and complex.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far? 

We've already learned a LOT about how science fiction and theatre can and can't work together. So much of what makes sci-fi horror what it is depends on cinematic trickery, with lighting, sets, costumes, puppetry, or special effects. Take those away, and you've got to find a creative way to adapt or change the story to fit. We'll have a lot still to learn through the rehearsal and design process, but those challenges are why we keep trying new genres.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it? 

Killer Mike, because as a supporter of the Democratic Socialist party, we know he wouldn't rest until he found a way for all four of them to get something out of that one ticket.

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.) 

While we definitely retain our usual greasy, southern-fried comedy flavor, we've really focused on a rich, healthy layer of nutritious character underneath all that. Of course then it's drenched with a thick tangy dressing of horror and death. That sounds like almost every one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants!

8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”? 

This show is considerably less irreverent than our usual fare. There's stage violence, gore, and death, but no taxidermy sex dances this year!

9. Will your show save mankind? 

This show and everyone in it are trying desperately not to destroy mankind, so at best it couldn't hurt!

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do? 

After a generous donation to the Atlanta Fringe Festival, we'd probably invest in a theater of our own and hopefully start paying ourselves and the artists who work with us!

11. Describe your show in three words. 

Killer Space Virus!

1. Why should anybody see your show?

If you want to be engaged and entertained this is the show to attend. You’re not only a patron, but also a participant. You are encouraged to ask questions and dialogue with the characters. This is a very difficult subject and it one with various positions and opinions. It can get volatile fast!

2. Why Atlanta?              

Atlanta is now home. So why not! We produce several shows in Atlanta each year and we’re honored to have the opportunity to participate in a festival at home. We’re usually in Washington, D.C. or New York City. With this subject, Human Trafficking, Atlanta is the perfect place because it is one of the world’s hubs for Human Trafficking.

3. What inspired you to create this?

When I heard about a case of a teenager being coerced into prostitution, I wanted to know more about the subject. By researching the topic, I discovered that human trafficking wears many faces. It doesn’t know locations, genders, races, and religions. This is something that is happening in our own backyards and we can’t ignore it. I wanted to create a piece that would allow the audience to dialogue about something that is active in media and in our society. We have more strength in numbers. If enough of us begin to dialogue about the tough issues, the hope is that we will develop some great solutions. It’s better than what we’re doing now – which is nothing!

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?

There is a lot of research involved in this type of show. Actors have to live and breathe as the characters. These actors literally become the characters because they have to be able to respond from the characters perspective even if it collides with their own perspective.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?

Some people (both patrons and actors) are not able to digest and/or handle the material. It’s a difficult subject.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?

Tyler Perry! Tyler, I need some funds. Please help! You got it to spare!

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)

It’s a good blend. It’s soulful and eclectic. It would probably be a blend between “This is It”, Ms. Ann’s Snack Bar (home of the ghetto burger – she will cuss you’re a$$ out and you could get cussed out at this show) and Sublime Doughnuts

8. What is your dream reaction from your audience?

All shows will sell out. There will be lots of dialogue and questions. Standing ovation. Future opportunities for other shows. Financial backing. Capital!

9. Will your show save mankind?

No! But hopefully it will save a life at some point.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

Develop the show further along with our other shows.  Get permanent artist and performance space (we need a full-time home). Go on a national tour. And pay my actors and staff well!

11. Describe your show in three words.

Edgy, Mind-blowing, and Sincere.

1. Why should anybody see your show?

Why not? Last year, I brought “Can’t Ain’t Nothing but a Four-letter Word” to this festival. Everyone who saw it loved it. In fact, everywhere I’ve performed it, people have raved about it. The one common note I got from people last years was that they would like to see me do more with the story. So, this show adds to the basic story of “Can’t Ain’t Nothing but a Four-letter Word”. People who saw the show, which won the critic’s choice award (jus’ saying), should see how the new stories enhance the show. People who didn’t see this last year should see it because there’s something in it for everyone. It’s hilarious, and poignant; and a must see of the festival.

2. Why Atlanta?

I left my toothbrush at The Highland Inn last year. I’ve gone a year without brushing my teeth, and my dentist (picture Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors) is FURIOUS!!!! So, I thought as long as I’m here, I might as well support Diana and Chris and Cherry and Molly and Nadia, the rest of the Atlanta Fringe Festival team, and all of the other participants in this year’s festival.

3. What inspired you to create this?

People.

Whenever I create a story, I try to leave the audience with something to think about. I try to create shows that inspire others to make some sort of social change, no matter how small. In my previous show called “Can’t Ain’t Nothing But a Four-letter Word”, I sought to tell a story that might motivate people not to judge others who are different then them. With this show, I want to inspire people to connect, or reconnect, with others.

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?

I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you.

I start with a story or idea I want to express, and then I think of other personal stories that may have something in common. And then I write. I write, and work with collaborators who help shape my ideas. I listen to music and read books which may spark creative ways for me to put everything together. And then, once I have the writing, I rehearse it, and let my mind and body guide me.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?  

Creating something is a beautiful, and sometimes, never-ending process that can lead you in unforeseen and interesting directions.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?

Duh??!! Mr. Mike Tyler Fonda Leakes. They should all see this show. I’d do a private showing, if need be.

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like?

One of Willy Wonka’s chocolate-covered gobstoppers. Sweet, with a kick, and a twinge of bitterness. But, no matter how much you have, you’ll never get fat. Perhaps, it would make a fine dessert after an Italian fest at Veni Vidi Vici.

Malcolm killing it at last year’s festival.

8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?

Definitely In the front row.

9. Will your show save mankind?

YES!! Laughter will save the world. My show invokes laughter. Therefore, my show saves the world.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

I’m buying a really big feast at Veni Vidi Vici.

11. Describe your show in three words.

Emotional, personal, love-jaunt

1. Why should anybody see your show?

The unexpected is to be expected. Some, if not all, will be funny and help leave all that day-to- day bullshit somewhere else. And, it’s cheaper than therapy.

2. Why Atlanta?

Where else? Literally, we’re just up the road a piece.

3. What inspired you to create this?

Improv is infectious. Once it’s in your system, you can’t get rid of it. There’s no cure. So, why not share it with as many people as you can?

4. Ahhh, we see what you did there. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?

It requires more time than one might imagine. It may be basically “made up on the spot”, but there’s a great deal of trust and camaraderie that is necessary to step out on such a trepidatious limb. Hell, people could laugh at you.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?

So far?

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?

Well, probably Jane Fonda. Who could turn Barbarella away? You’d have to point out NeNe if she showed up, never heard of her.

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)

Doc Chey’s. That place is on point.

8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?

Yikes. I might send them to the aquarium instead.

Above: Whale sharks never disappoint their parents by taking a risque suggestion from the audience and running with it. 

9. Will your show save mankind?

Absolutely. Without a good guffaw now and then we’re lost.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

Pay improvisers a healthy wage. That shit is hard.

11. Describe your show in three words.

Unpredictable, wacky, huh?

1. Why should anybody see your show? 

Our show is a feast for the senses, to entertain, to invoke, and to inspire.

2. Why Atlanta? 

Atlanta is the artistic hub of the southeastern US. We wouldn’t premiere it anywhere else!

3. What inspired you to create this? 

Influence from around the world filtered through some of the cities brightest talents coming together to celebrate what humans are.

Above: Company members Kristina Guede & Tony Schott, via the Flight of Swallows Facebook page. Also, we have been to that bar many, many times and there are almost never shirtless people dancing.

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this? 

A room full of awesome people setting fire with the simplest spark.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far? 

That our gang has the best spirit of collaboration, the room to let the ideas swirl, to take the ball and run. Or scissors, also running with scissors.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it? 

Jane

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.) 

Dr Bombay’s Tea Room…on acid

Yeah, we would not be OK in there on acid. We would make a scene. 

8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”? 

They should totally come. Maybe polish off some wine first though….

9. Will your show save mankind? 

No, we’ll spend it. But it WILL have some kickass dreams afterwards.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

Fleet of color changing minivans for all of our gear.

11. Describe your show in three words. 

Psychedelic brain party

1. Why should anybody see your show?

Because finding (and losing) love is an essential part of the human experience, and something most everyone can relate to.

2. Why Atlanta?

This is our home and we want to push the boundaries of theatre and dance in this city.

3. What inspired you to create this?

We heard the acapella versions of the songs we are using and knew we had to build something out of the haunting sound.

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?

We edited the love letters to their most stirring sections and then workshopped the spoken and danced material with the cast.  

Editor’s note: (Echoes) is fashioned from love letters of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, pop music a capellas from the 1960′s, ballet, and postmodern dance movement.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?

That there are truly things words cannot express and very little has changed in the last 300 years regarding affairs of the heart.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?

Killer Mike- He deserves it for his support of Bernie Sanders and his commitment to making a positive change in this country.

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)

I think that the show tastes like a small plate from One Eared Stag, full of fresh local ingredients, mixing the familiar with a sense of experimentation.

8. Oooooh, a lovely choice! Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?

This show is appropriate for ages 8-80 or anyone who has ever been in love.

9. Will your show save mankind?

If anything can, its certainly love.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

Tell the cast to quit their jobs and make the first million dollar postmodern dance film.

11. Describe your show in three words.

Life

Love

Loss

1. Why should anybody see your show?

Bouncers takes you on a Journey through the gritty side of nightlife in atlanta and the stereotypes and relationships our society calls love and friendship in the most hilarious, searing  and sometimes depressing ways. Put a story like that in the hands of four actors who play twenty characters with no costume changes, no set changes, and only physical and vocal shifts to show transitions, and you got a show unlike any other.

2. Why Atlanta?

All of the actors in the cast have relocated to Atlanta for the booming film and TV market.  We have participated in the Orlando Fringe in the past, and once we heard about the Atlanta Fringe going into it’s fifth year, we wanted to be a part of growing it.

3. What inspired you to create this?

The first time we read this show we thought to ourselves “What the heck is this?” It was so confusing on paper.  It left us with so many questions.  As we started digging deeper we realized how relevant the show was to today’s social shortcomings. The failed love, the superficial friendships, the misconceptions we all have in ourselves. The story had so much life once we dug our teeth into it, we had to put it on it’s feet

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?

Bouncers has been like a heart pumping punch in the throat.  Bouncers moves at such a fast pace, with no time to catch your breath, that the actors involved are sweating through shirts after every rehearsal

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?

It’s easy to judge the characters in Bouncers.  The girls can seem like desperate sluts, the guys can come off as horny douchebags, the bouncers can seem like hostile, power hungry jerks.  The trick for us was to find the humanity in it all.  The human aspect is the only reason to tell this story, and helped us learn more about why we do the things we do to be liked, and loved.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?

Given that we are all actors in the film  and television industry as well as theater, we would give the tickets to Tyler Perry.  Few artists understand both those worlds as well as he.

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)

Bouncers is like having 4th meal at Chico + Chang's.  Mexican and Asian food don’t necessarily make sense at first glance but when you get there you realize, “Holy Crap! This is Brilliant.” It’s greasy and bad for you, and that’s what makes it so delicious.  

8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?

We would put our parents somewhere in the middle of the theater.  The message of this show crosses generations and it would be interesting to see their reaction.  We wouldn’t want them in the front row however, because no one’s mom should have to sit too close to their child while they hump another actor in a room full of strangers.  

9. Will your show save the world ?

Social media drives today’s societal interactions. Through this self-indulgent medium we find ourselves losing human contact more and more everyday.  We wind up replacing it with emotionally disconnected posts of judgement, false love, and perceived happiness.  What lies beneath is much grittier and harder to swallow.  This show won’t change the world, but it will shine a harsh spotlight on it.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

We would donate all of the proceeds of the show back to the Atlanta Fringe Festival, because… Honestly Thank you, We just made a Million Dollars from putting this show up at the Festival.  We would also get all the audience members take out from Chico + Chang’s so they can taste us in their bellies while they watch.  On the other hand a room full of people with their bellies full of beans… Probably not the greatest idea.

11. Describe your show in three words.

Gritty, Hilarious, Debauchery.