Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello. I'm Kait, a professional attention whore. I mean, uh, an actor. And a writer.
How would you describe your show?
Take it Away, Cheryl is a tragicomic trip through a kissing booth at a county fair in Central Pennsylvania. Cheryl is equipped to deal with anything... and good thing since folks have stopped coming for kisses and started coming to tell her about some pretty heavy problems. When Cheryl makes an error with catastrophic consequences, she must go to hell and back to save those she loves once and for all. The show was originally developed and produced in 2019 at NYU Tisch School of the Arts under the mentorship of Obie Award winner Heather Christian.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
In addition to waiting two years to bring this show, I've been dreaming of returning to the Fringe, ever since I first came here when I was seventeen, nearly eight years ago. On the precipice of young adulthood, I took one look around the chaos and creativity and was stunned that people did this at all, let alone every year. I promised myself then that I'd come back. It's a dream I have been working towards for a long time.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
I can't speak to other festivals being the festival newbie that I am, but I can tell you that even in the days leading up to the Fringe, I have been astonished by the feeling of community and support between performers and acts. Everyone has had to work really hard to get to where we are, and so everyone wants to get everything they can from the experience and give everything they can to one another.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
Carol Burnett, Eartha Kitt, and Lucille Ball on my grandmother's television. I am inspired by the gutsy, expressive, funny, and unforgettable.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
This show is, in many ways, a wish for healing for the place I come from. Cheryl was born out of a time in my small, central Pennsylvanian town when young men kept dying, often from untreated mental illness. I had been dating someone struggling with a severe anxiety disorder, and as the only person in his support system, I did my best to keep both him and myself together. Later on, as I was trying to put these stories on the page, I encountered plenty of plays about mental health struggles, but I noticed that one story remained largely untold: the one of the caretakers, the (oftentimes) women of all generations who were bending themselves in half trying to hold everyone and everything together. It was my hope that I would write a show that reflected this experience - the journey taken by the emotional labourers - to reflect one aspect of the feminine experience.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I performed in the hospital for my sister immediately after she was born. Kind of stole her moment, to be honest.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Perfecting my poached egg technique.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
COVID has been such a downer that I now only approach work from a mindset of fun. I have eliminated as best as I possibly can any ounce of perfectionism, judgment, and stress that I have been putting on myself. The work now feels more like play.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
In hell, but having fun.
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
We should cancel culture immediately.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I'd pick the exact team I'm working with now.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Find a support team and incorporate them early and often! In addition to having so many dates and deadlines to keep track of, you're going to undergo a huge personal journey bringing your work to this particular audience. Having people around who have your back is imperative, and you should absolutely ask them for help when you need it.
When and where can people see your show?
As a woman, it's actually very dangerous to give out my location, but I'll make an exception just this once. You can find me August 5-13 at Greenside at Infirmary Street (Venue 236). Mint studio. 2 for 1 tickets are available on August 8 and 9, and a BSL interpreted show on August 11. Tickets available full price & concession.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
We post silly little pictures on Instagram: @takeitawaycheryl
And we are new to Twitter but holy wow, do we love Twitter! What were we doing before Twitter?: @takeitawayplay
Take it away, Cheryl will be performed at Greenside at Infirmary Street (Venue 236) Mint studio from August 5-13. For tickets and more information, visit edfringe.com
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