“If the only thing that can save mankind is a nervous white kid from Appalachia telling stories and jokes… the threat must not be too serious.”
Responder: Tom von Dohlen
Name of Company: Black Light Productions
Name of Show: NOB
1. Why should anybody see your show?
People should come to this show because
2. Why Atlanta?
I just moved to Atlanta after I graduated from UGA and I figured, it’s local and I’m here so why not throw my hat in the ring.
3. What inspired you to create this?
I was feeling pretty down on myself for awhile in college and I jotted down a 4 line monologue that later blossomed into this show. I wanted to show how self-image and opinion can rapidly change from year to year or even day to day.
4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?
It’s a lot of looking through old photo albums, talking to relatives, and just writing what sticks out in my mind. As far as rehearsals go, I work very closely with my director and he has helped shape the show into something a little less rambley and into a much better product. It’s a lot of me telling a story at him, he gives ideas and notes, I talk more, he responds, and then we go get drinks after 2-3 hours.
5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?
I have really learned to become more comfortable in myself both as a performer and a human being. This being such a personal show I didn’t want to just make this a 45-50 minute therapy session for the audience so my director and I had to get creative with how we tell the stories and make sure that the structure was strong and served the story.
6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and Donald Glover roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?
I’d say Donald, (Sorry Jane! Loved you in Klute though!)
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’d say it tastes like a basket of 10 wings from Jack’s Pizza & Wings cause it’s an honest look at a life lived and I think the messages will slide right off the bone and leave the audience feeling oh so satisfied.
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’ve been really supportive of all my weird shows, but this is a different beast considering that it’s my life as told by me sooooo I’m not sure if I’d tell them to skip it, but it’s definitely at that “Let’s see if it’s a good show first, then we’ll talk about you coming” stage.
9. Will your show save mankind?
If the only thing that can save mankind is a nervous white kid from Appalachia telling stories and jokes… the threat must not be too serious. I feel like I could do moral support for a scientist who is saving the world. Like a supporting member of the team, but mostly my job is to not touch stuff.
10. Oh boy! After your first show a genie pops out of a bottle and offers you a choice – world peace or your show enjoying a ten-year run on Broadway. What shall it be?
So that’s neat to have a ten year run and all, but that doesn’t mean people wanna see it. Or like it. I don’t want to end up like CATS… or STOMP… so world peace would be nice. I’d be happy just throwing it around to Fringe festivals and seeing what happens.
11. Describe your show in three words.
Cats, Comedy, Conflict
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