The Buzz Intro Interview | Sloan Brettholtz

Respondent: Sloan Brettholtz
Position in Company: Writer/Performer
Show Title: Officer Scott: Too Much Isn’t Enough

“This is a big “F You” to everyone who makes you shut down that side of you that just wants to sing, who just wants to dance.”

Why should people see your show?

You should see our show if you wanna have a really good time. Our show is filled with clowning, dancing, singing, burlesque, puppetry – There’s really something for everyone here. If you’re in child, needs some recognition and love definitely come to see Officer Scott: Too Much Isn’t Enough.

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

This will actually be our first fringe festival with this show. We are so excited to come to Atlanta. I think fringes are way to connect with people outside of your every day life and to see amazing art outside of your own city and create community around that.

What inspired you to create this?

My whole life everyone has told me you’re too much. You’re too loud. You’re too fat. This is a big “F You” to everyone who makes you shut down that side of you that just wants to sing, who just wants to dance. Officer Scott truly saved my life and doing this show has given me so much more than a few laughs, but to stand up for myself and when I believe in, and if someone thinks I’m too much then find someone someone else.

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

I lost my mom about two years ago and I didn’t know what to do. I found Officer Scott, the character, and decided to take him around Brooklyn and Manhattan and just see if I can do something with him. He brought me and everyone I encountered so much joy that my grief was lightened and honestly made more comfortable because of performing this character. Through doing this character so much it inspired me to create the show, because I too have been lost, especially after my mother passing. And sometimes you need somebody to reach out their hand, tell you they love you, and that it’s gonna be OK. And I think this show does a little bit of that for everyone, but especially for myself.

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

I’ve learned that a heck of a lot of hard work goes into some thing that you love. I’ve learned how to make art in a safe, loving and creative environment. I’ve learned how to challenge myself and to give myself grace. Art can be hard, but it’s also very fun!

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.)

Dream of dreams would be either Tina Fay or Amy Poehler, and they would love it so much that they would want to produce a movie or Broadway production of the show to get it to as many people as possible in the world.

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…”

This show is an exploration of recreational drugs, queer love, and self acceptance. I believe anyone over the age of 16 would enjoy this.

Will your show change the world?

This show does a lot of things: it’ll make you laugh. It’ll make you dance and it’ll make you cry. Maybe not the world but I believe every individual who sees this show will be changed for the good. I think that once you’ve seen the show you’ll be inspired to do something you’ve never done before or I’ve been scared to do your entire life, so maybe not the world – but someone’s world could be changed.

AI: the death of our art form or just a new tool to create?

Technology is amazing. How we went from a rock wheel to AI is an absolute miracle. I believe we should pay artists for their work. I also believe AI is a great tool but humans should be the priority. And if you use AI just so you don’t have to pay someone to create for you, then maybe you should not be creating yourself.