Salsation Theatre Company, NFP

Archive for the ‘Meet The Cast’ Category

Where are you from?
Lynchburg, Virginia (named for John Lynch – thank you)

What is your history with Salsation?
I started with Salsa-sketch 2009 and followed it with Ctrl.Alt.Deport! I’m very happy to be back for a third show!

What got you started in comedy?
When I was 6, I told a knock knock joke and someone laughed. From then on, I learned every knock knock joke I could and told them all. I even know how to make them up on the spot!

What attracted you to the idea of a gay sketch show?
There’s a lot of struggles the gay community faces these days, I wanted an opportunity to make light of some issues and have fun with stereotypes.

If you could work with any comedian, who would it be?
I’d love to work with Jon Stewart – he’s just a genius. What else can I say?

What do you hope our audience walks away feeling after the show?
I just hope people come away feeling good and realizing that we’re all one…or some sappy thing like that!

What’s your favorite sketch in It Takes A Village People?
I’m partial to the one about a couple of gay guys moving in to a new neighborhood and the panic it causes for their neighbors.

What does the future hold in store for you?
Love, laughter, learning…

What’s your history with Salsation?

I could tell you the looooong story, but really it’s because I like to talk! I grew up in a very colorful home and thanks to my mom and her storytelling, I inherited the gift of gab, which always got me a check mark in grammar school on my report cards. Teachers out there don’t suppress, encourage!

But really I’m lucky…I like to make people laugh, my mom is a great storyteller…I dunno, maybe it’s in the genes.

What got you started in comedy?

I was working on a bit role in an independent movie where all I did was make a silly face…I completed one shot and they asked me to be in another, then another then another. The director told me “don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re not funny, you’re f*ckin’ funny!”

What does the future hold in store for you?

Reading, writing, video games….maybe a vacation…

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Pee-Wee Herman…I think some of my quirky habits on stage come from being influenced by his movies and TV shows in the 80′s…and I like to scream real loud!

What’s your history with Salsation?
I was in SalsaSketch. Met some dudes and lovely ladies. Had myself a time as it were. Then I was at the event known as the audition for Salsation’s spring show. I enjoyed my time at this audition. Then there were rehearsals. Boy, it seems like an eternity now. We were a rag-tag group of raw scrappers. But over time and a beautiful montage, I saw us whipped into sketching shape…I hope.

What got you started in comedy?
A girl kissed me on the cheek in first grade and I did a straight-legged faint onto my back. Pure Gold. It’s all been downhill since then.

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl-Alt-Deport”?
It has Blues, Math, and Winnetka.  Enough said.

What does the future hold in store for you?
If I knew that I would have more money than Cleo.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Pauly Shore. I would ask what went so right? And what went so wrong?

What’s your history with Salsation?
Well I first started with Salsation last year for their spring touring season.  I was SalsaSketch 2009, then Sketchfest, and now Ctrl+Alt+Deport.

What got you started in comedy?
What’s so funny is I have always been funny!   True story – I went to see Salsation’s show “The Devil Wears Chanklas”. I thought it was extremely freakin’ funny, so I signed up for their web site mailing address, and then I got an email saying that their were having auditions for the spring show. I sent an email back saying that I was interested in auditioning, but I never had done any improv/sketch comedy before.  To my excitement, I got an email back saying they had save a spot for me to come in and try out.  I went with butterflies in my stomach, but I gave it my best shot (and even kissed a little ass by knowing all about Salsation).  I got an email back saying that I had given a great read, and they wanted me as an understudy, but that I probably wouldn’t do the spring tour until next year, but after hard work and a lot of practice, we had a meeting and they told me I was doing great and asked if I felt ready to do the spring show.  Well, what do you think I said??? Of course!!! Me + the stage = true beauty. From then on our secret love affair began, and I have been doing shows with Salsation ever since.

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
Man oh man, what a tough question. I’m am truly blessed to be working with such a creative cast.  That’s why it is truly so hard….. damn, damn, DAMN… I think that “Rock Band” sketch written by Gabe is extremely funny.  Every time we rehearse that sketch, I can’t help but laugh at Gabe kicking rocks (come to the show and you will understand).  The “photographer” sketch by Frankie is also too freakin’ funny.  Horacio’s sketch about a guy trying to win his ex back by going on Youtube is also hilarious. Maria‘s “Roxxy” performance is crazy.  I have to say that I‘m scared of Maria (laughs).  Honestly, they are all very funny.  I love my cast.

What does the future hold in store for you?
The future holds for little old me: a lot of chocolate, wine, and cats (laughs). No, really I just hope for nothing but the best. I really want to pursue my career in doing more improv/sketch comedy while learning more and growing more with Salsation. I respect their Gangsta and their love for the stage. Salsation is such a diverse theatre company.

If you could meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would honestly have to say Jamie Foxx, because he is very talented.  He can act, he can sing, and he is really funny.  He is a triple threat!  Can’t get any better then that.  I’d have to say Michael Jackson as well. I would have love to learn the Moonwalk and play with his monkey Bubbles.  I would have been all up in that damn theme park!  He wrote a song for me.  Wanna hear it?  Here it goes -

Shantely be starting something …
She got to be starting something…
Said she wanna be starting something…

and with that I’m out!  Peace in the Middle East and a bottle of hair grease, homie….

What’s your history with Salsation?
I’ve known about Salsation for a number of years now, and I’m glad to finally be working with them! I guess my first encounter was back in about ’06 or ’07. I auditioned to be a part of the ensemble and made it in, but unfortunately I was unable to commit because of my crazy work schedule at the time. Then, a few months ago, my buddy Nelson Velazquez invited me to be a part of Salsa Sketch Day, a one-day improv and sketch writing marathon where at the end of the day you actually get to perform the material you’ve co-created for a paying audience. Needless to say, it was one of the funnest days I’d had in a long time. Then I auditioned for CTRL+ALT+DEPORT, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What got you started in comedy?
I got started in comedy (specifically improv) by total accident. I knew all my life that I loved laughing and making people laugh, but it wasn’t until college that I actually thought of doing it in a public fashion. Here’s the story: One fine day as I was walking through the the student center, I ran into an old buddy of mine that I hadn’t seen since 8th grade graduation. We caught up, and he got me to come with him to the meetings of the amateur student theater club, Alamo City Actors’ Guild (my university didn’t have a theater department). I attended these meetings without any intention of ever acting. I just wanted to make friends. However, they convinced me to play the two smallest parts in their summer play: the butlers in “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. During rehearsals, I met a girl named Christina Houle who was in an improv troupe called ComedySportz. Before rehearsals and during breaks, she would teach us improv games, and I was instantly hooked. In fact, I remember looking forward to rehearsals more for the improv games than for actually rehearsing! When ComedySportz San Antonio had auditions, I made it in and I’ve never looked back.

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
That’s a tough question to answer. I’ll have to be lame and mention more than one. The first that comes to mind is called “Can You Hear Me Now?” by Nelson. I think it’s a great commentary on the marginalizing impact of language barriers in our society, and should hopefully make people think twice next time they feel judgmental about people’s ability, or lack thereof, to speak English. Next is “Cape Day” by Mary  because it shows that there are different kinds of power in relationships. Even if one person is technically the boss, or has some sort of higher status, they can still have the lower hand. Finally, I’m just going to have to say “Photographer” because I wrote it, and sketch writing does not come easily to me. So, that one makes the list simply because I’m happy something I wrote made the show!

What does the future hold in store for you?
(In a Yoda voice) Difficult to see. Always in motion the future is… (In a Frankie voice) Honestly, I’m not quite sure. I do hope to establish enough of a career in the performing and creative arts to make a nice living at it. I wouldn’t even turn down being rich and famous (though not TOO rich and famous). One thing I do feel fairly sure about is that I’m going to live some place warm and sunny.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I love hanging out with people who have something to offer. That thing could range from a fun attitude or a warm smile to challenging ideas and concepts that make me see things in new ways. Right now, I think I’d like to meet Italo Calvino, a famous Italian writer. He wrote some really fascinating and smart stuff, and I’d love to pick his brain.