Responder: Stephanie Purcell, Creator & Performer (Writer, Producer, Director, Actor)
Name of Company: SHP Productions
Name of Show: Comedy Errors: A Sketch Show

“I feel so blessed that my performers, mentors and fellow creators have embraced this project as much as I have. It would not be possible, or near as much fun, without them!”

  1. Why should people see your show?

To laugh of course! And for general frivolity and fun.

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

I think festivals are a great way to get new pieces of creative works out into the world without necessarily having to have a lot of connections. The work is judged on its quality and seen by a variety of people who may not have seen it otherwise. It’s a collective sharing of ideas which only makes us more interesting and educated.

The Atlanta Fringe Festival, in particular, appeals to me because I live here! Getting the opportunity to meet other local creatives and grow the artistic community in an area I live in work is something that is always encouraging and inspiring.

  1. What inspired you to create this?

I am fortunate to work in the entertainment industry as a producer and have always LOVED comedy. While I enjoy the work I do, there has always been the desire to pursue comedy more in my professional life as well. With the birth of my son last year I realized how valuable my time is and wanted to start shifting my energies more into this genre. I started writing satirical pieces, humorous funny essays and topical sketches-which led to me creating this show.

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

I have definitely had more time at home! I no longer feel as pressured to be out and about and can spend more time getting to think and create. One of the things that I think is a real positive coming out of COVID has been society’s realization that so much can be done online now. I am able to take classes all over the world from the comfort of my home – like getting to study comedy/writing with students from all over the world.

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

I have learned how supportive the artist community can be. I feel so blessed that my performers, mentors and fellow creators have embraced this project as much as I have. It would not be possible, or near as much fun, without them!

  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.)

Tina Fey! I’m not someone that usually gets starstruck, but she is definitely a celebrity I would love to meet (and probably stutter uncontrollably in her presence.)

  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…”

I am definitely inviting my family to this show! (And my friends, classmates, mailman, dog-sitter….) I am really proud of this show and the limits I have pushed within myself to get it done, so of course I want my family to see it! They especially know better than anyone what it took for me to put this show together and how much it means to me.

  1. Will your show change the world?

Who can say? It definitely makes fun of the world and I think we could all learn to take things a little less seriously.

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

Donald Duck for sure. I like getting dressed up, but if no one is seeing me from the waist down, I’ll likely be in my comfy pants and slippers, because after the zoom call I’m going back to laying on the bed with my laptop on my chest and the dog drooling in my lap.

  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.

Don’t Stop Believing by Journey (Because I want people to “Hold onto that Feeling” after having fun at our show.)

Givin’ Up by The Darkness (Because who hasn’t thought about that at some point in their creative journey.)

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