Performer of the week: Aaron Caponigro

Aaron Caponigro. Saying his name is almost enough. There is a spark when
he is on stage. He performs with a sense of patience and openness that is
rare on the improv stage. He'll take whatever comes at him. He'll attack
anything and everything with a sense wonder, acceptance, and unconditional
creativeness. To be in a scene with him is a gift. You know you will be
taken on a magical ride. Aaron, thank you for believing in Hogwash and
helping us believe in our own imaginations.

when did you start performing?

My first performance was in a third grade play. I was an Egyptian Pharaoh.
We got to make our own costumes, so I wore a Burger King crown and my
Sylvester and Tweety pajama gown. I wish that still fit. As Pharaoh, I toted
around and pampered my royal stuffed koala bear, Chaz. And also I exiled the
Jews. I had to, it was in the script. And the Bible. And Moses would never
have parted the Red Sea if I hadn't, and then where would we have been?
Without our biggest musical number, that's where. My karmic punishment for
my actions was that I didn't set foot on a stage again until I joined an
improv group at DePaul University.



what made you want to do hogwash?

I like entertaining people. Children are people too. Sometimes people forget
that. I have been performing for humans of various sizes for the past nine
years. If you made me choose, I'd have to say I like performing for children
more. People come in a close second. I think that's because I feel more like
a child than a people. Good thing Hogwash is for children and people! It's a
show where there really is something for everyone. Even octogenarians.




What was your favorite moment from this past week's show?
I wish I could say it was something one of my very hilarious cast-mates did,
because it was a particularly funny show last week, but it was actually
something during the dance break that reminded me how much fun Hogwash is. A
shy little one-year-old, who'd been watching us intently the whole show, got
up and got jiggy with the whole cast. She was at the age where she
understood a lot of words and phrases, but couldn't quite form them herself.
She wasn't much for suggestions is what I'm saying, but she knew when it was
time to cut loose! Our target audience is a couple years older, but it's
good to remember that you can entertain the youngest of us without having to
dress up in a big green alien suit with a TV in your tummy.



what was your fondest memory performing?


My new favorite performance memory just happened recently! A few weeks ago
my 9-year-old son Jacob came to see Hogwash. He ended up on stage, as an
audience volunteer! I can't say he has a future as a Starbucks barista, but
he loved performing and adding to the story. It will be one of those things
we talk about when I am old and he comes to visit me on the island he's
going to buy me.


who do you most respect/look up to I.E biggest influences?

I have a lot of respect for open-minded individuals with candor. And
firefighters - because I'm not running into a flaming building. As for my
influences, well, they are all over the map and I'm glad for that. As an
amalgamation of everything I've ever done and seen, it helps to take in as
much as possible. Maybe one day my brain will get so big they'll name a
library after it: AARON'S BRAIN'S LIBRARY. I like the sound of that.

Performer of the week : Adam Higgins

The Chicago cast has grown since the spring. Five new members were brought onboard this summer. They jumped right into the rehearsal process gearing up to perform. Adam Higgins is one of these new performers. He approaches every day of Hogwash with unmarked enthusiasm. He is always right there, ready to up in and add a special something to the show. Adam helped open our fall run performing in the first two shows. Adam, thank you for the smiles. You are a pleasure. You are a chickadee with the heart of an ostrich. Thank you.

-What do you enjoy most about Hogwash?

I love how completely ego less the whole ensemble is fully committed to making a great show for the audience.

-When did you start performing with Hogwash?

My first show was August 18^Th. This was the first troupe I auditioned for in Chicago after being here for only a week.

-So far, what has been your most memorable moment?

I've had a great time working with all the different musical directors. I normally shy away from singing, leaving it to those with training and talent, but this whole process has been very support of my off-key warbling, so I've really learned to enjoy the musical elements.

-What was your favorite moment from last week's show?

I think the best part was finally getting the little girl in the audience to give us a suggestion, she was pretty afraid of us until then, but once she opened up it was great.

-Who do you admire?

I admire all artists who don't take themselves too serious, whatever medium they create in. I think Shel Silverstein is a great example of that, he wrote plays, poems, kids books, music for famous performers, but always was able to laugh at himself and what he produced.

Bumbershoot

Hogwash is going to be in Bumbershoot! The performances are at 2:00, on Sunday and 2:30 on Monday at the Center house theater. You will need a pass to get into the theater, so hurry up and get those Bumbershoot tickets! This is the first time Hogwash is going to be at Bumbershoot, and the whole cast and crew are very excited. Come check us out!

Performer of the week: Shelby Jennings

Hogwash is about to open the fall run in Chicago. So much goes into the run. In the end you get to see the actors on stage bringing everything to life. And while it is improv and forever changing before your eyes depending on the imaginations of the audience, there is a brave woman who gets the actors ready for whatever might come their way. That person is Shelby Jennings, the director of Hogwash Chicago. She has been with Hogwash since the get go and brings her knowledge and experience to the show. The show wouldn’t be the same without her. Thank you, Shelby and have a great opening!

-What do you enjoy most about Hogwash?

I enjoy good family humor. Hogwash is a kid’s show, but it is also for adults. I think too often people (myself included) fall back on the dirty humor. This show practices and proves that you can have a fun show with out that. The show offers the family friendly atmosphere and the long-form improv and group work that I love so much.

>-When did you start performing with Hogwash? How has your role changed?

I was a performer in the original cast years ago. I performed at Comedy Sportz and the Lakeshore. Then I moved up to being the director, even though at times I still jump in there. I miss the performance but it has been fun to work and change the show. It is constantly growing and changing.

>-What is your most memorable moment?

Oh, man… there are some I can't mention! But in the first run we were doing a show and Nick Hausman and I were looking for a bad guys. At the old Comedy Sportz space there was a trap door and the bad guys hid in there. So we kept asking where the bad guys were, and this kid jumped on stage and said; " RIGHT HERE!" He threw open the trap door and held up his fists like he was going to punch the bad guys. He didn't want to leave the stage so we kept him there through the rest of the story and at the end I asked if I could marry him instead of Nick and he said, " NO WAY.' Then he ran off stage. It was soooo funny!

>-Who do you admire?

I admire a lot of people. I can't really think of one person whom I admire the most. I do admire in general people who do what they feel they were born to do instead of just doing what gets them by.

Bring HOGWASH To Your Birthday Party!

Can't get enough of Hogwash? Want to bring the experience closer to home. Well now you can! Hogwash does birthday parties. You can either have the party at the theater, or have it at your venue. Here are some options for the different parties.

Bring your birthday party to see the show together! We'll reserve front row seats for your special party so you'll be sure to take part in the action of the show! The whole party can take part in the interactive show, giving their suggestions, and maybe even jumping onstage with the actors. After the show, you'll get to take pictures with the cast on the Hogwash stage. The cast will even give the special birthday girl or boy an autographed poster to commemorate the day!

AVAILABILITY/TIME: Any day with a scheduled public performance of Hogwash. Saturdays: arrive by 1:45 pm, see the show from 2-3 pm, pictures with the cast after the show.

Birthday Package 2

Enjoy a day filled with Hogwash fun! Prior to the show, you'll get to host your Birthday Party in a private room at the University Heights Community Center, just across the street from the Hogwash Theatre. We'll set up everything you'll need, and have a staff member on site to assist you with decorations and food. This is the perfect place to have food, cake, and open presents before heading over to the theatre to catch the Hogwash show! You'll have reserved front-row seating, an unforgettable interactive show experience, and a great photo opportunity with the whole cast after the show! The cast will even give the special birthday girl or boy an autographed poster to commemorate the day!

AVAILABILITY/TIME: Any day with a scheduled public performance of Hogwash. Saturdays: Arrive by 1pm, enjoy food, cake, and presents until 1:40pm, walk over to the theatre for face painting and pre-show music, watch show from 2-3 pm, pictures with cast after the show.

Add a Hogwash Workshop to this party:After food and drinks, one of our trained Hogwash Teaching Artists will take your partygoers on an amazing imaginary journey. Using creative drama techniques, they'll venture into fantastic worlds where they will get to be the characters of the adventure! This will really get them revved up for the show! Please note the start time of the party will be 12:30pm with the workshop included.

BIRTHDAY PARTY SHOWS AT YOUR VENUE

Want to have a Hogwash Birthday Party when there's no public performance scheduled? No problem! We'll bring Hogwash to your venue, backyard, etc. You'll get a VIP Hogwash experience because we'll bring our costumes, music, face paint and art to your door. It's the same great Hogwash experience for your private party.

Here's what you'll receive when you book a Hogwash Traveling Show:

• A 15-minute storytelling workshop
• A 40-minute interactive show that's fun for all ages.
• An autographed Hogwash poster as a special present for the birthday boy or girl.
• You can choose the date and time!

Requirements:

• A space for the actors to perform that is at least 12' x 6'.
• An electrical outlet.
• Ample lighting for the performance space if it is an evening show.

*There will be a travel fee if traveling outside of King County. Call today to receive your custom quote.

Hogwash at Bumbershoot

Hogwash will be performing at Bumbershoot this year! For those of you who don't know, Bumbershoot Seattle's annual music and art festival. There will be tons of stuff do do there, and Hogwash is involved! Hogwash will be performing on September 2nd at 2:00pm, and September 3rd at 2:30pm at the Childrens Theater stage. Heres a link to the Bumbershoot website http://www.bumbershoot.org/

Auditions for Hogwash National Touring Company!!

Hogwash is going National! Auditions will be held July 22, 2007. Call 206. 297. 1767 to schedule a time slot! Good luck to everyone trying out!