Interview with comedian Sarina Freda

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

Hey!! I’m Sarina Freda, an NYC-based actor/writer/producer and an NYU Tisch grad living the dream. This is my debut solo show and I am thrilled to be taking it to the Fringe this August. I love to swim. I love to dance. And my passion project is finding inner peace.

How would you describe your show?

This one-woman show is about the most harrowing LSD trip in recorded human history. This show is about one woman’s revelation of the intricacies of space and time. It is a life-changing spectacle to behold. A storytelling clown journey that reveals the profound, transformative effect the LSD had over Sarina’s mind and body. The show is about her newfound, unparalleled, impenetrable control over the universe. Until it isn’t.

What is your favourite part of your show?

I don’t want to give too much away, but the first moment I step into our clown piece is always so thrilling. The audience’s faces are always like, “lol what is happening I thought she was just gonna talk.” We’ve worked really hard on that part of the show as well, in a lot of ways that is where we started the entire project both in the idea’s inception and in the rehearsal room. It’s quite surreal to play it every night.

If your show had a theme song, what would it be and why?

I have a Spotify playlist that I love listening to and that I have ordered to reflect the journey of the show. But if I had to choose one it would be “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac. It’s got this animalistic and primal feeling to it that really embodies the internal energy of the show. There are a lot of moments in the show that are just about survival, and that song helps me tap into that rage and desperate desire.

Are there any particular themes or messages you hope the audience takes away from your performance?

Ultimately I hope everyone has their own specific experience of the show, it always brings me so much joy when someone talks about a moment that stood out to them that was never intended to have the impact it did. It’s a good reminder that this piece we’ve created doesn’t belong to us, but to something much greater.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe? What differentiates it from other festivals?

Folks might think the Olympics happen every four years, and I understand that. But the true champions, the true extraordinaires are at the Fringe every year. We are the athletes of the soul, tirelessly sharing our stories on our endless journey of self-expression. It’s been my dream to bring my show here, to the coveted epicenter of theater because there is absolutely nothing like it. No festival in the world could possibly compare to its sheer scale or its immense capacity for joy.

So to anyone who booked tickets to the Paris Olympics instead: There’s still time..

How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?

My parents have been steadfast supporters of mine and have never deterred me from following my passion. I know that this leap of faith has been, will be, and is challenging for them, but they themselves are so inspired by mine and my siblings' dreams, that they know they’re is no getting in the way of them. That kind of support is invaluable for an artist and is a major reason why I am sitting here writing this Q&A today. They have encouraged me to be brave and hold nothing back and that is what I bring to everything I make or do.

Can you describe your creative process and how you develop your ideas into a full-fledged performance?

It starts with a lot of journaling. A lot of walks. And a lot of collaboration. My director (Tom Costello) is incredible at just coming up with any idea to solve a problem or to create a moment. He calls them “stupid ideas” but they are often brilliant. We work together to challenge ourselves and each other to fuller and deeper and briefer and weirder ideas until we finally get to something we both love. And then we have to start that process over again because once you change one thing you have to change 20 things, and we do this over and over and over again. Sometimes it causes me to scream with elation and sometimes I want to run head first into the brick wall of the studio. Either way, we get the job done.

What is your favourite thing about performing for a live audience?

No one knows what the hell is gonna happen. The audience surely doesn’t. My board ops are planning for tragedy. And I CERTAINLY don’t know what I am going to do. It’s one great big mystery and it’s unfolding in front of our eyes and it’s terrifying and it’s perfect.

What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you while performing?

This isn’t that strange so do forgive me, but the first time I did the show I naturally was messing bits up, forgetting some lines, and it was crazy to witness my brain and body fix the problem in real time. Like it didn’t feel like me?? It felt like if me ‘Sarina’ tried to get in the way of this force that just knew what to do, everything would be so much worse. So ya, observing myself during the performance was probably the craziest thing ever especially because you are truly alone up there but at that moment I didn’t feel alone at all.

What's the most challenging or unconventional venue you've ever performed in, and how did it impact the overall experience?

11 am in what used to be an old movie theater. The space was massive and it was really hard to feel any intimacy with the audience. It was also filled with many family members that didn’t really know the story at all so it was extremely terrifying to be witnessed by them. They’ve had some questions since, but they still love me!

Who are some of your artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?

I’m a long time fan of Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak. They are my favorite funny women. I saw Kate’s show Kate three times. The first time it was a workshop and it really felt that way. The second time it was unbelievable. It totally changed the way I thought about the creative process. To see someone I admire so much in the middle of their process where they are still just exploring ideas, yet brave enough to present it for an audience really allowed me to have more grace for myself to not feel like I need to get anything ‘right’ at the start.

Is there a piece of feedback you've received from an audience member or critic after a performance that’s stuck with you?

I’ve heard this a couple times and each time it is really meaningful, but those who know me have told me the play feels like me. Like it’s really coming from my soul and no one else could have made it.

Is there a show you’re excited to see when you’re up there?

Xhloe x Natasha, last (2!) year's winners of Scotsman’s Fringe First award! We are all part of the What Co. Theater Collective in NYC and they have been incredible supporters of mine. I'm so excited to see what they bring to the Fringe this year.

And I can't wait to see all the spectacular clowning shows I can cram into my time, especially TROLL which I missed last year and am so glad they are returning!!

I'm also traveling to the Fringe with a spectacular collective of artists under The Brooklyn Bottling Company which includes seven shows. I'd recommend seeing everyone's shows!!

What do you hope to learn or achieve from your first Fringe experience, and how do you plan to apply it to your future work?

I want to learn what it feels like to do a show 22 times in a row. I have never done anything like that. It feels like a really rare opportunity to explore what it means to bring something new every night and give a full performance to every audience no matter what number of performances I am on. It will be a professional endurance test that I hope influences the way I prepare for my work in the future cause right now I’m sorta just running on instinct!!

What would you say has been (potentially) the most useful piece of advice you’ve been given about taking a show to Edinburgh Fringe?

Quite simply just to make friends with everyone. Yes there are awards and opportunities to be had, but this is not a competition. We can all help uplift each other and we can all benefit. I can’t wait for all the freaks I’m going to meet. It’s going to be a big big party.

How do you plan to balance performing and exploring the vast array of other shows and events happening at the Fringe?

Late nights and late mornings. I want to be at the Fringe to perform just as much as I want to be inspired. I cannot wait to see what folks have in store. Preparing my mind to be absolutely blown.

When and where can people see your show?

At the SpaceUK Triplex Studio, Aug 2-24 (not 11) at 16:05!

And where can people find you online?