2024 Issue 1 Jan/Feb Focus - Mid-South Magazine
Focus Mid-South Magazine. January+February 2024 issue
Focus Mid-South Magazine. January+February 2024 issue
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Left: Zephyr McAninch. Center: a performance featuring ‘Heels,’ Right: a general shot of the show. Background: Zephyr while they MC.<br />
Theater is definitely queer, for sure. Here's a<br />
space where you can be anyone or anything<br />
you want, and everyone is there to witness it<br />
with you in a positive environment.<br />
What got you into improv?<br />
I guess I just can’t stop<br />
thinking of quips. No, but,<br />
honestly, I watched a lot of<br />
Whose Line Is it Anyway<br />
when I was younger. I<br />
especially loved watching<br />
Ryan Stiles. His quick wit<br />
made it look so effortless<br />
you start to think you<br />
can do it, too. In college, I<br />
auditioned for an improv<br />
troupe and joined thinking it<br />
could be a fun hobby. Then<br />
when I started learning<br />
about the craft and theory<br />
of it, I ended up taking it<br />
seriously. It became really<br />
special to me.<br />
Something that I<br />
appreciate about improv is<br />
that it's all happening right<br />
now, in the moment. Sure,<br />
you can record a sketch, or<br />
write a joke. But improv has<br />
a special intimacy, for the<br />
audience and yourself. The<br />
idea that you’re creating a<br />
moment that only exists for<br />
the both of you right then,<br />
and then it’s gone forever.<br />
The ephemerality of it can<br />
be beautiful, but it can also<br />
be a little tragic.<br />
God, I have to agree with<br />
you there. Although, I<br />
suppose it has been difficult<br />
running a troupe, too?<br />
It was much easier in<br />
college since everyone<br />
was all in the same space<br />
essentially, with fewer<br />
responsibilities. It's gotten<br />
harder in adulthood now<br />
that life gets in the way.<br />
But, once people get<br />
here [Zephyr’s house], it<br />
does become effortless<br />
again. Of course, it needs<br />
to be worth their time, so<br />
another issue is making<br />
sure we’re doing exercises<br />
that are accessible but<br />
challenging. You want<br />
people to enjoy what<br />
they’re doing, but take<br />
something meaningful<br />
away from it. And another<br />
struggle is that when one<br />
person leaves, sometimes<br />
it can be like losing a loadbearing<br />
wall. The group<br />
dynamic is unique to the<br />
players present. There’s a<br />
saying, “Acting is reacting.”<br />
You have to react to<br />
what the people on stage<br />
with you give you in that<br />
moment, and you’ve got to<br />
trust each other implicitly.<br />
So any changes to that<br />
camaraderie can usually<br />
be felt.<br />
Why do you think the<br />
theater is so popular<br />
among queer people? Is it<br />
because it’s a space where<br />
you can express yourself<br />
much more fully?<br />
Theater is definitely queer,<br />
for sure. And I suppose<br />
improv can serve as neutral<br />
ground for people to act<br />
queer. It has a nice fluidity<br />
to it. In that regard, I<br />
suppose it can be attractive<br />
to queer folks who feel<br />
marginalized for who they<br />
are, and then, well, here's<br />
a space where you can be<br />
anyone or anything you<br />
want, and everyone is there<br />
to witness it with you in a<br />
positive environment. That<br />
aspect can certainly be<br />
alluring.<br />
Catch the Bluff City<br />
Liars show “Love Dies”<br />
on Friday, <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 2 and<br />
Saturday, <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 3 at<br />
8pm at TheatreWorks in<br />
Overton Square. Follow<br />
@bluffcityliars for more<br />
show updates!<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>+<strong>Feb</strong> <strong>2024</strong> | focuslgbt.com | Creativity 29
Change language