Friday, March 30, 2007

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Performer of the Week: Becky Schroeter

By watching her onstage, you wouldn't think that she is still in high school. Becky has talent seeping out of her skin. If I had a time machine, I'd love to see where Becky will be at in 5 years. At the rate she's going, she'll be legend by 25 years of age. She's a dedicated performer who absorbs everything that is going on onstage and always has diverse, developed characters. Let's hear what she has to say about being so awesome.
What was your favorite moment from the show this week?
My favorite moment of this weeks show has to be when Scott was playing Dr.Abc, and almost has a meltdown because he couldn't stand the fact that little animals were getting hurt. It was so funny, and gave a lot depth to his character. I also liked the part when the bear got sick, and the trumpet player found a perfect time to "toot" his horn.
What do you enjoy most about Hogwash?
I love the fact that I can have fun, and be silly, and it is perfectly ok. So many serious things happen in the world everyday, it’s nice to take a little break from reality, and step into fairy tale land for even an hour. I also love the people I get to work with. I get the chance to perform with amazing improver's, and more importantly amazing people. I will always remember the second week of practice when we had to make up a game using only gibberish. That was so hard, but in the end, I think we really got to know, and trust each other. I'm still in high school, so this is even bigger for me. How many students can really say they have had this kind of opportunity. I consider myself very blessed.
When did you start performing?
I started performing when I was in elementary school. I wasn't the most outgoing in my classes normally, but when I got on stage to do a recital, I was the loudest, and the most dedicated little kid you could find. After elementary school, I started doing plays, and with plays, came improv. It kind of took off from there.
Who do you admire?
Vincent Van Gogh- he was crazy, and gave his ear to a prostitute, but he had so much passion, and that kind of passion is missing from a lot of the world today.Bing Crosby/ Gene Kelly- those men could dance and sing, and they had more class in their little toes, than many of us could ever dream of. My eighth grade teacher Mrs. McGlothlen- She was one of the biggest influences in my life when it comes to acting. She inspired me so much, and I really strive to be like her. She has this energy about her that makes you want to try your hardest at what you’re doing.
What is one of your most memorable moments performing?
I would have to say my most memorable moment performing was the second week when Scott and I were "not so evil" parrots, who apparently were just very hungry. Scott kept making these chirping noises, and it was hilarious because I had no idea what to say. I also loved when Arthur came up with the game "sheep, goat, lemon", which I would defiantly play instead of boring old "rock paper, scissors".

Monday, March 26, 2007

Week Four Highlights

Renowned veterinarian, Dr. ABC was happy that he had no pets to see. He was such a great veterinarian that no animals were sick. That all came to an end when two meddling kids used their toys to hurt animals by shooting gumdrops with their sling shots. Dr. ABC couldn’t keep his emotions under control when he heard what was happening to all those poor birds. Good thing his two feathered friends sang him a song to help him keep his cool and still stay focused on finding the two kids. Dr. ABC is such a great veterinarian that he was able to help all the injured birdies as well as teaching the troublesome kids a lesson about responsibility with their toys.

Scary animals need friends too. Best friends, a tiger and a bat long for other friends to play with. Too many games of rock, paper, scissors and goat, sheep, lemon were making them crazy. Meanwhile, two zoo collectors were pondering how they could sell more tickets. They thought that adding some scary animals to their zoo would attract more patrons. They ventured to the farthest reaches of the jungle to find their would-be scary attractions. Sure enough, they found the scary animal friends and captured both of them. A wandering panda was also caught in the fiasco and escaped with the zoo keeper’s hat. The panda wasn’t afraid to help the scary tiger and bat. She devised a plan to lure the evil zoo keepers into the cage using the hat she had stolen. Once they had the zoo keeper’s captured, they forced the zoo keeper’s to be scary to know how it felt like to be trapped in a cage being scary all the time. They realized their wrongs and everyone lived a happy life playing goat, sheep, lemon.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Performer of the Week: Arthur Allen


Actor/physical comedian extraordinaire! Arthur was chosen as our first performer of the week for his drive and his willingness to take risks on stage. His energy is contagious and he brings a smile to everyone's face. We asked Arthur a few questions about the Hogwash show and performing in general. Here's what he had to say:
What was your favorite moment from the show last week?
I'd have to say that my favorite moment from last Saturday's show was when sweet, lovely Jen Rizor came out dressed as a ruff, gruff, tough, and buff evil auto parts dealer: grungy! sleeves rolled up, with a black bandana tied around her head!
What do you enjoy most about Hogwash?
Lots of people work in live theater because they crave the energy that radiates from a live audience. At Hogwash, any one of our audience members has the energy of a stadium full of adults. They're fresh, they're demanding, they expect our best, and are merciless to anything else! Performing for kids is pure joy!
When did you start performing?
My first remembered performance was for my mom and little sisters, WAY back when. There was a thunder and lightning storm, the power had gone out, and we had only two candles. My sisters were pretty scared and my mom was worried and upset, so I hopped on the bed and started singing disney songs, doing goofy dances, and making up crazy stories about poison butterflies and flying motorcycles.
What is one of your most memorable moments performing?
I'll never forget the odd and ironic thrill of being booed off the stage. I was a bad guy, and the audience hated my character so much, that when the narrator let them, they booed me out of this universe! I think I was an evil chameleon or something, with a silly-string tongue that ate flies and stole hats. I never expected a "booo!" to sound so wonderful!
Who do you admire?
Curious George for his willingness to try EVERYTHING!
Mark Twain for his wit.
Charlie Chaplin because he made extremely hard work look like so much fun. His work is brilliant.
Arthur is a phenomenal performer and a great addition to the Hogwash family. We can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the weeks to come.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Week Three Highlights

Conoco the adventurer and her car mechanic plan a radical adventure to the far away land of Miss Cocoa Island, so they could play amongst the Horskies and the Rhino-Piggies. In order to go, they needed a magical nanushka from the auto parts store to travel to Miss Cocoa Island. Unfortunately, the auto part supply store guy had his own ideas! He wanted to claim the island as his and reign king over all the little creatures to do his bidding. After hitchhiking in the trunk of Conoco’s car, he captured the cutest little rhino-piggie and made her cry. Conoco and her mechanic rescued the rhino-piggies and helped the evil auto parts store clerk realize that he just wanted some friends to go on adventures with, and he apologized to all the creatures of Miss Cocoa Island.

Scientists have found that sad potatoes don’t grow very well. A farmer realized this when her potatoes would not grow. She called on the help of a klutzy fairy who had trouble helping. A watering fairy came along to help but she didn’t have enough water to make a whole field of potatoes happy. A pair of conniving leprechauns decided that they wanted to poison the field of potatoes for nonsensical reasons. You know how leprechauns are! The fairies and the farmer sought help from a wise tree creature who helped them make a rain storm to water the field before the leprechauns could carry out their plan. The potatoes grew real big and sprouted arms and feet and danced a happy potato dance with the farmer and the helpful fairies. The rain stopped and a rainbow appeared which made the sneaky leprechauns happy too. Rain storms rule!

Come have fun with us next week at 2pm!

Chicago Tour Announced - APRIL 2007.

Jerk Alert Productions presents...

Hogwash Chicao Postcard


Bailiwick Arts Center Studio Theatre
1229 W Belmont Avenue | Chicago IL 60657

April 21, 22, 28, 29, 2007
Saturday / Sunday @ 2 p.m.

BUY TICKETS RIGHT HERE
$15.00 for adults
$13.00 for children
Free for kids under 3

STARRING:

Gillian Bellinger
Aaron Caponigro
Kate Cohen
Megan Green
Shelby Jennings
Jason Knauf
Kara Kulhanek
Vinnie Lacey
Tim Young
Jill Olson
Martin Verni
Darrin Townsend
Chrissy Swinko
Matt Owens

director: Shelby Jennings
producer: Jill Olson
executive producer: Jason Anfinsen
executive producer: BJ Tregoning
art director: Jason Knauf
technical director: Matt Owens

Monday, March 12, 2007

Week Two Highlights

75 people climbed aboard a raft made of long-haired Chihuahua’s and set sail for the island of California, a strange and far away place covered in mystical forests and musical fields. As an art teacher and her favorite student searched for the perfect orange, the parent and the principal devised a plan to turn the ferry of the forest against them and steal all of the magical beans from the island. All worked out when the ferry asked the magical forest which of the two groups were telling the truth, as the “forest never lies”! It turns out that the principal and the parent meant only to bring the beans back to school to help their students learn math, and they were just a little misguided in their methods.

In other news, it turns out that if you sing into a magical microphone, especially one that talks to you, you can in fact be transported to just outside the gates of the Smuckers Peanut butter factory. If you ever happen to find yourself there, scream really loud to the princess in the tower and wait patiently as she runs down the long, long, long spiral staircase. Beware, however, of the two parrots that may have overheard you singing, and followed you. While you’re being introduced to the gnomes and the head elf, the two parrots may accidentally eat all of the peanut butter in the factory, and thus, the world. If this does happen, fear not! Simply ask everyone to help make more peanut butter and soon there will be enough for everyone once again!

Be a part of the fun!!!
Come see Hogwash every Saturday!!!

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Feature Article in The Falcon Newspaper.

Avery Matro wrote an article about Hogwash in the The Falcon Newspaper at Seattle Pacific University.

According to the kids: Hogwash lets audience tell the story
The Falcon Newspaper
March 7, 2007

WOW. The press digs our show. Now you have to come see us Saturday!

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Feature Article in The UW DAILY

Andrew Cardillo wrote a feature article on Hogwash Seattle for The Daily of the University of Washington.

"Hogwash: An Improvised Tall Tale sets the bar quite a bit higher."

Below is the link for the full article. Many thanks to The Daily for their support. See ya Saturday!

That's a load of Hogwash
The UW Daily
March 6, 2007

Monday, March 5, 2007

Opening Day Highlights!

Thanks to everyone who came to opening day
of Hogwash Seattle on Saturday March 3.

Over 100 people packed the Historic University Theater.
We run every Saturday through May 19!

Check out some video and pictures from opening day.



kids pretending to be toys with boys pretending to be rats

hogwash opening day

the after party

cake and cookies and sugar rush galore

black and white scotty b

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Hogwash Opens March 3 in SEATTLE




Jerk Alert Productions and Wing-It Productions are thrilled to announce the jubilant return of...


New-HogowashLogo3

Saturday March 3 - May 19, 2007

Historic University Theater
5510 University Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98105
2 P.M.

$10.00 for adults
$8.00 for children
kids under 3 get in free

(206) 297 1767 / buy tickets here

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HOGWASH is an hour long extravaganza of the arts, implementing improvisation, music, storytelling, drama, for an educational afternoon of family theatre. Seasoned actors jump into action at the kooky suggestions of each brilliant audience of 3 - 103 year old narrators, who drive the exciting plot into a world of unknown possibilities. As each weird story is acted out, graphic artists paint props, draw backdrops, and illustrate key set designs to enhance the bizarre reality of every tale. Seattle jazz / funk band The Hamstrings score every scene with an instrumental soundtrack that elevates every exciting moment.

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HOGWASH was created in Chicago 2004 by Jason Anfinsen is one of dozens of art projects from Jerk Alert Productions, an independent theatrical collective of actors, writers, directors, musicians, painters responsible for some of the freshest underground theater, books, and films on the planet: Stimulus, Haener Vs. Haener, Pep Rally, Juke All Over Your Face, Stab At Sleep, Popularity Contest & Fun Factory. This run of HOGWASH is directed by Lauren Domino, and co-produced with Wing-It Productions, creators of the wildly entertaining Jet City Improv & Twisted Flicks.

NATIONAL PRESS
"Highly Recommended" - Chicago Reader
"Kid friendly improv with edge" - The Seattle Times
"Educates while it entertains" - Timeout Chicago
"Improv comedy for the 3-12 set" - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Creative and unique" - Go City Kids

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
2005 Chicago Improv Festival.
2005 Toronto Improv Festival.
2007 Seattle Festival of Improvisational Theater.
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