We’ve asked UNO Fest artists to interview each other about their shows, their creation process and what makes a solo show so unique. We are crossing the country with this pairing: Toronto’s Joanne O’Sullivan (She Grew Funny) and Victoria’s Carey Wass (Carey-OK!: Timeless Timely Tunes).

Question: UNO Fest is coming around the corner, what about being in this festival makes you excited? What can the UNO Fest audience look forward to about your show/performance?

Carey: From the start, I looked to create a show that was not just for the theatre community, but for people who may think that they are not theatre-goers or may feel that live performance is not for them. In terms of outcome, I am hoping that the audience leaves my show feeling better about their lives. I know it sounds simple, but I really want people to leave the show feeling inspired to make a positive change in their lives. This show was developed during a chaotic time in my life and, at the time, when I thought things may not get on track, I ended up purchasing my loop station and developing this ‘out of the box’ show.

Being in UNO Fest is very exciting. The history of the festival is unbelievable.  The list of celebrated performers who have been part of UNO’s rich history are too many to count. I am honoured to be part of this festival and I hope to be able to grow as an artist and return to the festival, for years to come.  The entire Intrepid team, from day one, have been so supportive. UNO Fest is going to be a really great time and I cannot wait for it to begin.

Joanne: I can’t wait to see Victoria! I’ve heard it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country and I’m really looking forward to spending some time there!  I’m excited to meet other Solo theatre performers and see their shows.  It’s a rare opportunity to see so many other performers who do what I do, in so many different ways, and have a chance to share stories. Overall, I’m so thankful that Intrepid theatre invited me to UNO Fest and gave me this opportunity to share She Grew Funny.  

In terms of what people can look forward to with my performance? Mostly, a good time! While She Grew Funny is my personal story, it covers a universal idea of how do our childhood experiences inform our adult lives – in a funny and thoughtful way – that I believe everyone can relate to. Audiences can look forward to an hour of laughter, perhaps a few tears, but mostly that sense of community that comes from a group of people coming together and listening to a good story.

Joanne Question: As a monologist/comedian who does not sing or dance, I’m curious about your process. What comes first – the music or the story – how does one inform the other?

Carey: That is a really great question. For Timeless Timely Tunes, my current cycle of 5 song-o-logues, I knew there were topics I wanted to sing about. For example, for one song entitled Breaking Kayfabe, I knew that I wanted to write a song that analyzed the integration of pro wrestling tactics in today’s pop culture and social media. I had no idea how the song would sound, I only knew that I wanted to somehow write a fun song that explored this topic.  I use a loop station in my show, which allows me to loop and record my vocals in a variety of fun ways. Sometimes I will dig through the over 100 loops I have recorded and see if anything sparks a chorus or a hook that could work for the song. In the case for Breaking Kayfabe, I was literally motorbiking through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and the entire hook of the song started to play in my head, fully formed musically. The lyrics for the hook were not quite set, but I could hear the cadence for each syllable in my head. I instantly drove home and laid down the vocals for the loop/music of the song and then got the chorus written very quickly.  The verses took MUCH longer and were developed over the course of a month or so.  It is a really fun process. Like a burst of music and lyrics that come all at once.

Carey Question: You mentioned that She Grew Funny explores the early death of your mother and your own relationship with your daughter. Do you find this subject matter hard or taxing on you as a performer emotionally? Also, how has the audience response been with the show? Do you have a chance to meet them after the show and further unpack the stories you share?

Joanne: The hardest moment came before I wrote the play – when my daughter turned 6. I didn’t remember much around my mother’s death, so I believed what I had been told – that I was too young to really understand or feel it.  But when my own daughter turned 6 and I experienced what six was, her relationship with me and how much she loved me – it made me realize that of course, I had felt it.  There was a period of mourning after that realization – but I came out of it writing.  Yes, some of the writing was hard as I sifted through my old memories – but performing the play now just joyful because it helped me work through that.  And it’s funny! I swear! The audience response has been pretty overwhelming. Yes, they often want to talk after the show – and I get a lot of private messages.  But it’s usually not to unpack more of my stories – it’s them wanting to tell me how their story as a child informs their life now. And this has been my happiest discovery – because it’s something I wanted – to use my own private story to hit on themes that were universal.

Joanne Question: Based on the description of your show (A one-man a capella/beatbox musical that blends singing, rapping, and high-octane dance) it sounds like such a good time – while also covering some pretty hard subjects, like anxiety. Was it difficult to find the funny in the tougher topics?

Carey: In terms of my elevator pitch, I have come to “It’s a one man a cappella that is a cross between Robin Williams and Reggie Watts”.  It is, as you said, meant to be a good time.  The topics in my show cover many topical issues like anxiety and the negative effects of social media, but it it done in a very fun way, through music. rapping and dance. I really enjoy the challenge of exploring difficult subjects in a fun and honest way.  The toughest aspect of this, is making sure that I have explored each topic as thoughtfully as I possibly can. The lyrics to each song have been meticulously edited so that every word is, hopefully, the best possible word choice for each song I write. I call my tunes, song-o-logues (song monologues) and the goal for each one is to be thoughtful and, as equally important, catchy! I want people singing the songs after the show. Audience enjoyment is key to me.

Carey Question: This is your third show, how would you say you have progressed as a solo artist? What has changed/remained the same about your performance style or creative process?

Joanne: I would say my comfort level in exploring harder themes has increased, as well as my willingness to put more of myself in my writing. My three shows follow a pretty clear arc of increasing bravery. In the first one I played a character instead of it being autobiographical, but I touched on themes of my life.  The second one was autobiographical – but I stayed in the relative safe zones of career and relationships. With She Grew Funny I went much deeper and darker than in my previous works – looking back at the early death of my mother and the ways in which tragedy and comedy have always been intertwined in my life. I think over the first two plays I was, in a way, building up the courage to write She Grew Funny.