Respondent: Renee Marchol
Position in Company: Writer and Performer
Company: Renee Marchol
Show Title: Well, I Ate
“People are often gravely uncomfortable talking about a time they had to go hungry. But do they dwell just as much on the times they were fed?”
- Why should people see your show?
My food memoirs aren’t what they might think. I’m not a chef or a foodie. It’s not about food porn. What can an artist do with such an ordinary subject of being hungry and being fed?
You may have thought about what you’d choose for your last meal but have you thought about 5 Meals That Shaped You. These five meals forever changed who I was and how I navigated the world. I’m convinced Well, I Ate will have audiences chewing over their most memorable, life-changing meals as a result.
- What about festivals intrigues you? And why the Atlanta Fringe?
In 2023, I was a spectator at the Atlanta Fringe. I chose to attend one magic show and a comedy improv show. As a film school person I appreciate visual jokes that don’t need dialogue. I’m a fan of Buster Keaton’s silent films. I see that in illusion. As far as improv I am fascinated with cooperation on-the-fly. Each city has a flavor. I wanted to be in the Atlanta Fringe to tell Well, I Ate because some might be surprised this is my city.
- What inspired you to create this?
Setting down roots, growing food to feed myself and my neighbors. You’d be surprised how many obstacles pop up. Nature doesn’t always cooperate. Either does human nature.
I thought about a currency that is relatable. Most would agree that food is the first currency. People are often gravely uncomfortable talking about a time they had to go hungry. But do they dwell just as much on the times they were fed?
5 Meals That Shaped My Life is about foiling hunger and living to laugh about it The takeaway? I want Well, I Ate audiences to come up with their own five meals and tell that on stage in the future.
- Life has been weird the last few years, to say the least. How has the “real world” affected the art you’re creating?
I’ve become more adept at using Zoom on laptop not just for rehearsal but for virtual living room performances. I’ve adapted so that the audience in Ohio said, “Ooh I liked that trick you did!” The gesture was bringing the thermos cap cup, close to the camera in an extreme close up, to show a toast. Having a video production and film school background helps.
- What have you learned from working on your show so far?
That I’ve hidden more than a dozen Easter eggs in each story so that each tale: Pink Milk, Wonder Bread Matzo Ball, Bacon Sandwich, Carrot Soup and Gas Station Linzer Tart would be entertaining for an audience member for a third or second time. But I learned to make the path clear from idea to idea so that if an audience member catches only 20%, they’ll still benefit.
- A mysterious stranger asks to meet you and your cast and crew after loving your show. In your WILDEST DREAMS, who is it? (Bonus points if your mysterious stranger is an Atlanta celeb.)
Donald Glover because of his vulnerable and hilarious stand up material, his virtuosity in creating the tv show drama Atlanta and playing Troy Barnes in Community. It’d be a dream to sit pretend-crying with him, side-by-side on the bathroom floor singing Reading Rainbow’s theme song.
- 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…”
I am my family. I’m there for myself and I’m content with that.
- Will your show change the world?
Yes, I do my part. Well, I Ate is meant to be playful and poignant. If I can step on the stage, then so can my audience telling their own food memoirs in the future.
- AI: the death of our art form or just a new tool to create?
Any tool can be made harmful. There’s a difference between an innovative mashup and a thoughtless mish-mash.
- We’re making an excellent Fringey Feelings playlist. Describe your show in two or three songs we can add to keep the jams flowing.
The Onion Song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Food, Glorious Food by Oliver! The Musical Kids Ensemble
Ham N Eggs by A Tribe Called Quest
Sounds amazing, right? Click here to learn more and get your tickets to this show today.
Recent Comments