Responder (and role with show): Charles Parrott, All the Things
Name of Show: Nebraska Backward

“If I can crack open my calcified feelings and pour them out and stage, there is hope for all us to be a little more honest with ourselves.”

  1. Why should people see your show?

Nebraska Backward is a storytelling mixtape with lots of laughs and some sorta sad stuff that tugs at your heartstrings. Taking this roller coaster ride of emotions gives audience members a chance to reflect on their own past and what stories make them who they are.

  1. What about festivals intrigues you? And why the Atlanta Fringe?

I’ve lead companies of performers in making shows for the Atlanta Fringe Festival almost since they got this party started. I am head over heels for the heart and soul that burgeoning artists bring to these homespun shows. This is my first time producing my own solo show which makes this year that much more special.

  1. What inspired you to create this?

I’ve found that, as I get older, I have wanted to think about where I came from and I how I became the person I am. Nebraska Backward is attempt to use storytelling to understand my own experiences. It is my sincere hope that seeing these stories will encourage other people to think about the stories that made them.

  1. Life has been weird the last few years, to say the least. How has the “real world” affected the art you’re creating?

The last few years have given everyone a little time to think about who they really are and what is really important to them. Nebraska Backward is an expression of who I am and what is important to me.

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

A few months ago I had the opportunity to go see a live performance of the Grand Old Opry at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Up until that point I was a bit worried that my show had too many sad stories, but that evening included a whole slate of sad-ass country songs and I realized that is the tradition I’m participating in.

  1. There’s a mysterious stranger in the back row of your show, wearing a big ol’ N95 mask and a baseball cap and there’s something weirdly familiar about them, and then they come up afterwards to tell you they loved your show. In your WILDEST DREAMS, who is this mysterious stranger? (Bonus points if your mysterious stranger is an Atlanta celeb.)

Holy Moly! It’s the ghost of Robert W. Woodruff and he wants to give me a grant!

[Above: A G-G-G-GHOST!]

  1. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: are you inviting your family to this show are “Hey, maybe sit this one out you guys…”

Nebraska Backwards includes almost no adult language but it is about adult themes. Children attending the show won’t be scarred for life but they might not be too excited about it.

  1. Will your show change the world?

Honestly, it probably will. If I can crack open my calcified feelings and pour them out and stage, there is hope for all us to be a little more honest with ourselves. That’s the first step to brighter future dude.

  1. Zoom meetings: dress up head to toe or Donald Duck it?

Head to toe, only because I’m too shy to Micky Mouse it

  1. We’re making an excellent Fringey Feelings playlist. Describe your show in two or three songs we can add to keep the jams flowing.

I Don’t Want to Grow Up–Tom Waites

All Men are Liars–Nick Lowe

Way of the Triune God–Tyler Childers

Sounds amazing, right? Click here to learn more and get your tickets to this show today.