At the Frigid: Michelle Kennedy Talks Up 'Fabulous Buddha Boi'
In the first of our spotlights on this year's Frigid New York Festival, we interviewed Michelle Kennedy, director of Coffee Dad, Chicken Mom and the Fabulous Buddha Boi.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Michelle co-founded Edmonton's Mischief and Mayhem Theatre (with Natascha Lewis) in 2005. The theatre began as a place for independent Edmonton artists to produce their shows in a professional manner.
Since then, M&M has evolved to include producing site-specific and more experimental works designed to challenge audiences. As artistic director of M&M, she says her focus is "largely new play development and/or big gawdy spectacle."
Written by Nick Green, Coffee Dad, Chicken Mom and the Fabulous Buddha Boi has had an illustrious production history. The Fabulous Buddha Boi premiered at the 2006 Loud and Queer Cabaret in Edmonton; Chicken Mom was produced at the same festival the following year. Coffee Dad was added for the full-length premiere at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, where the show had a near sold-out run. The one-man show stars actor and playwright Trevor Schmidt.
What inspired you guys to create this show?
In 2006 Nick was asked by Workshop West Theatre's to write a piece for their Loud & Queer Cabaret. He wanted to write a piece for Trevor. After further workshops, Nick decided to turn the piece into a full-length show for Trevor. He wanted to write honestly about what it was like to be a gay teenager.
What one thing makes your show unique?
It's simple. It's about one actor connecting with an audience without all the tricks and pizzazz of rapid, multi-character changes, crazy technology or an impossible to follow "style over substance" story.
It's about a good story, not a good glossy sheen.
What attracts you to fringe festivals?
The thing that attracts me to fringe festivals is the diversity of participants; when names are drawn from a hat you are spared the politics and pretenses that go into a juried festival leading to an incredible line up of performers.
Sure, it's not all life-changing, award-winning amazing theatre, but it's all passionate and everyone involved wants to be there.
Fringe festivals are also a fantastic testing ground for new work and emerging artists. These sorts of festivals allow you to try things out you may not be able to do when someone else's money (or reputation) is on the line.
How do you all make money to support your theatre habit?
It isn't easy but the three of us are incredibly [lucky] to all be employed in the performing arts. Nick is a full-time actor who has spent much the year touring Canada; Trevor is the artistic director of a wonderful theatre company in Edmonton called Northern Light.
And having recently moved to Calgary, I am the interim general manager for the Old Trout Puppet Workshop, an experimental adult puppet theatre preparing to embark on an international tour. Each of us also does many other projects outside our "regular" jobs keeping us incredibly busy!
Do any of you have any unique performance skills on your resume that you've never used?
Nick is a fantastic tap dancer, and has not used that skill as much as he would like to.
Do you think actors have to make their own opportunities?
I think all artists have to make their own opportunities. "Right place, right time" Broadway superstardom happens for so few people that if you want a career you have to step beyond waiting for the phone to ring and make it happen.
It also is important to make your own opportunities because it allows you to create what you want to create. When you do it yourself there is no one telling you you can't have a big pink elephant on stage with 65 clowns jumping off it... or whatever.
Between shows, what do you most like to do?
We're all huge music fans so that takes up a good chunk of time. And sleeping... sleeping is totally a joyful experience between shows.
And we all love to travel. Seeing what the world has to offer is really one of the best creative inspirations.
Frigid New York Festival runs from Feb. 25 to March 8, 2009 in three theatres in Manhattan's East Village.
For more information, visit FrigidNewYork.info. Tickets are $8-$15. Shows are Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. – Midnight, and Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. – 1 a.m. Tickets are available by calling 868-4444 or visiting the Smarttix website. Click here to see a schedule of shows.
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