Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello! I'm Sara Schaefer, an American comedian making my Fringe debut this year. I'm known here for an MTV talk show I had with comedian Nikki Glaser, as well as writing for TV and making appearances on Comedy Central and more.
How would you describe your show?
Little White Box is an exploration of my experience as an American who was raised devout Christian in the Bible Belt, currently trying to make sense of our political climate and how it's become increasingly difficult to find the truth amidst the noise and rhetorical cliché.
I try to weave these themes into personal stories, about how I've dealt with fear of death, the struggle to be ideologically pure, and the failure of words in times of great loss. It all sounds pretty serious but I try to keep it silly too.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I've always heard such great things, and that it's truly one of the most incredible, unique experiences you can have as a performer. I also have wanted to visit the U.K. my entire life and finally have found a way to make it happen!
What differentiates it from other festivals?
Well, I've never been. But from what I hear, it is extremely different from American festivals. (Specifically, comedy festivals) American comedy festivals also often feature numerous comedians - but there is less focus on 'solo shows'.
Usually, they consist of showcases where comedians do shorter sets packed with hard-hitting jokes that don't necessarily fall into an arc or theme. I'm thrilled to be doing the Fringe because my comedy is best in storytelling mode, with room to breathe.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I first realized I was a funny person when I was a teenager, and people kept telling me I was funny. I didn't decide to pursue it as a career until after college, when I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. A friend from my college sketch group encouraged me to move to New York City and pursue comedy there.
My inspirations early on were more sketch-based - Monty Python, Saturday Night Live, The State. But I always loved stand up comedy as well. Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Rosie O'Donnell, Wendy Liebman...all the comedians of the 80's and 90's greatly influenced me.
If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I'd probably be doing some kind of desk job (because that is where I was before I was able to make a living in comedy), and I'd be miserable. I don't even like to think about it. It truly sends a shiver down my spine, because I was very unhappy in a traditional corporate environment.
A lot of my continued success has been driven by a deep fear that I would have to go back to those day jobs.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Sometimes I daydream about quitting the business and moving out to the country and starting a micro-farm and making soft goods to sell at the local market. I have a vegetable garden and am very into crochet and embroidery.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
My earliest art memories all involve seeing a play or theatrical performance of some kind - there was nothing more exciting to me. Because of that, I loved putting on shows at home from a very early age. I'd fully produce them - make posters, sell tickets, create props, write lines, and then convince my parents to come see the final product, which was usually a disjointed mess.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
My twitter profile is where I comment on current events. I don't feel pressure, but I do feel a desire to comment. In my live stand up, I tend to veer away from commenting on specific current events or political news, because that stuff would get stale too quickly.
Instead, I focus on the general political climate and how it feels to be an American in today's world.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I have found it's currently very difficult to make fun of Donald Trump...when he already IS the joke, what joke could I possibly make? He is so polarizing here in the U.S. that audiences tense up. The anxiety here is extremely high. Some people are trying to literally ruin comedians' careers if they say the wrong thing.
I've found most people are just very exhausted by the media cycle and the vicious atmosphere. I try to tackle these deeper anxieties that we are all feeling, instead of just coming out on stage and yelling about what Trump did this week.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Dear God make it stop.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Co-writing a comedic feminist play with Shakespeare would be great. Or working with one of the current great showrunners here in the U.S. - Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal), Jill Soloway (Transparent), or Jenji Kohan (Orange is The New Black).
When and where can people see your show?
Aug 2-13,15-28 19:00, Pleasance Courtyard That – for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/SaraSchaefer1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSaraSchaefer/
- Instagram: saraschaefer1
- My website: www.saraschaefer.com
Sara Schaefer: Little White Box is performing at Pleasance Courtyard at 19:00 on 2nd - 28th (not 14th). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.
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