Name of Respondent: Abby Palen (Director)
Name of Company: John Street Theatre Company
Name of Show: Staged

“People really like to lie about theatre. It was definitely something I’d noticed in myself. When I’ve seen a bad play in the past, I’ve focused on the positive things in conversation to appear polite. It is really funny how transparent it can seem.”

1. Why should people tune in to your show?
Staged is satirical comedy that makes fun of plays and people who watch plays. Watching the actors perform this play, and take bad theatre so seriously was hilarious. Being in on the joke was the funniest part. Watching people who expected good theatre watch bad theatre is so goofy! When our fringe festival audience watches Staged, they also get to be in on the joke. That is what makes our show so much fun.

2. What about festivals intrigues you? And why the Atlanta Fringe?
Fringe Festivals have an air of joy about them, similar to house shows, or tiny arts events. What makes these events feels so special is the freedom artists have to do what they want to do, without having to filter their creativity through the lens of sell-ability. That’s where the magic of fringe shines. It creates authentic art that people are excited to show, and unafraid to take risks with.

3. What inspired you to create this?
The pandemic made everything sad, hard, and lonely. I wanted something that was uplifting, joyful, and connected.

4. This year ain’t normal and there’s no sense pretending it is. How has Covid affected what you’re doing for this festival?
We decided to do our show virtually instead of live to keep our friends and family safe. But, without covid, this idea of filming a small audience and showing the reactions probably wouldn’t have worked. I think, in a weird way, covid is the reason we are able to do this show, and do it successfully.

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?
People really like to lie about theatre. It was definitely something I’d noticed in myself. When I’ve seen a bad play in the past, I’ve focused on the positive things in conversation to appear polite. While I don’t think any harm comes from this polite tendency many of us share, it is really funny how transparent it can seem. I gained a little appreciation for honesty while working on this play.

6. There’s a mysterious, anonymous little square watching your show and sticking around for the talkback. In your WILDEST dreams, who is that mysterious stranger grooving on your work? (Please note, this question is inspired by us recently learning that Neil Patrick Harris has been doing this.)
Annie Baker!

[Editor Note: Hell yes, Annie Baker rules]

7. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: are your parents getting the link are or you gonna be like, “Uhhhh, I dunno, the website doesn’t seem to be working, Mom…”
We have one sexually explicit scene at the beginning of the play!

8. We’ve asked this question every year for the past nine years or so but it hits different this year: Will your show change the world?
Nope. But it will make you giggle!

9. Zoom meetings: dress up head to toe or Donald Duck it?
Dressing up head to toe!!

10. We’re making an excellent Spotify playlist. Describe your show in two or three songs we can add to keep the jams flowing.
America the Beautiful by Whitney Houston

Soulful Strut by Young-Hult Limited

Sound cool, right? Be sure to check out this show with live Q&A with the creators on Sunday June 6 at 3:30. Tickets here