Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
My name is Liza I’m a stand-up comic in the states. I started in Chicago, been in New York, and am currently without a residence. I’m doing a cool world travel type thing at the moment and my old apartment had carbon monoxide poisonings, gas leaks, squatters and racoons living in the roof. I like pop female music divas, games, gossip, hotels, rooftops, and spending money. I have a Netflix half hour special as part of The Degenerates.
How would you describe your show?
Lots of bits, crowd work, with a little heart. It’s about the time in between starting therapy and learning a lot about your problems and doing something about those things. Like now being aware of all these destructive patterns and where they come from and not doing the right things to make my life better. Like I’m preventing myself from having what I want. All the problems have amassed and some effort needs to be put in. I also talk about have soviet foreign senior citizen parents in America, and then I always do some jokes about cum and feminism.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I’ve wanted to do it for years. I’m thrilled. I can’t wait for the challenge and to test the limits of stamina and excited to see the progress I can make with the set. Everyone has let me know that I’ll have fun but also cry so I can’t wait to go on an emotional quest. I also love being in a new place for that long because you can explore slowly and find your favourite spots and really enjoy everything while also being able to sleep in. Also, like, lets party!
What differentiates it from other festivals?
From the ones I’ve been to this seems to be the biggest and all-encompassing of different types of shows and so international. I’ve never done a fest for a full month and so many hours in a row. Also, what’s new for me is the stars and reviews and theatre element of it. I’m jazzed. Oh, and it costs a lot to play ya know.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I didn’t realize it was an industry or a thing really when I started. I was invited to go watch an open mic by someone I knew from high school and then I went up that night and bombed and then came back the next week and did good and was like oh this is fun. I did music mics for a week and then finally Sunday night went to a comedy open mic and met all these other comics and was like ohhhhhhh this is a thing. Then did more mics and slowly learned with fun opportunities that it could be a job. I don’t like to work and this feels like the least amount of work to do. It’s just chatting and having opinions and making fun of things and people and travelling and it’s different all the time and you can wear what you want. I mean it’s a dream life. The comics I’ve looked up to and learned lessons from have been Dave Attell, Nikki Glaser, Hannibal Burress, and Tom Segura.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Most likely I would be a salon receptionist and living on a budget and drunk all the time. What I wish I could do is solve crimes. Detective. Evidence. Forensics. Clues. When I was younger I wanted to be a prison psychologist. I would just hate to ever have to go to school again.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
I like being a comic. I have my dream job. I’d like to produce and make things too.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I remember seeing George Seurat’s ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ at the Art Institute in Chicago and feeling wild pretty young. I had to google the name btw I just remember it as the dots at the park with the poofy dress. I’m also grateful to my elementary school art teacher Mrs. Smith, she really taught me a lot about art.
I don’t know if you consider this art but my first TV show memories are The Three Stooges and Baywatch. The first play memory I have is Brighton Beach Memoirs at Northwestern University. First stand up was Jay Leno at a Jewish fundraiser.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
I just talk about what I want to talk about and I feel no pressure to say anything.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I don’t fully understand this question so I hope this answer is what you’re asking. I do feel there is an increase in people clapping when they like the point you’re making it and it makes me cringe. Like if they’re clapping they’re not laughing. You can clap after you laugh but I hate no joke claps.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Super fun and wild cool.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I really wish I could’ve met Joan Rivers. It makes me sad I can never meet her. I’d love to do her interview show, In Bed with Joan Rivers. She’s just the queen. Mean and quick and hardworking and a trailblazer in every way. Badass Legend.
Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?
Honestly, I just do what my manager tells me to do and I like to do the least amount of non-comedy related things as possible, so having a producer and people doing things so I don’t have to fill out forms or email is a plus. I have friends that have done both and enjoy the free fringe a lot but are happy they had a ticketed produced show their first time since it’s so overwhelming to do it your first time and why make it harder?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
I can’t give advice since I’ve never been.
When and where can people see your show?
I’ll be at the buttercup at the underbelly every night july 31-aug 26 except for the 13th. Bristo Square. 10:35pm!
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
@glittercheese on twitter and instagram!
You can see Liza Treyger: In The Weeds at Underbelly Buttercup from 31st July – 65th August at 10:35pm. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com
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