Lucid Illuminates

Lucid Illuminates: Erika Laflamme

Who are you, where you are from, and how did you start in this field?’

My name is Erika Laflamme, a stand-up comedian born and raised in Maine. I got started by taking a workshop for stand-up comedy at the Comedy Connection back in 2008. When I was younger, I’ve always loved and participated in comedy, whether it be theatre, improv, sketch comedy, making silly videos, etc. Most of my humor is based upon trying to transition in the real world, my seizure disorder, and weird observations. My favorite comedians are Eddie Izzard, Zach Galifinakis, Maria Bamford, and Ellen DeGeneres. People who have worked with me say I’m poised, odd, and unpredictable. I’ve performed anywhere from comedy clubs, to bars, to restaurants, to private parties, to even warehouses!

Tell us something you know that we may not know, about yourself or the world.

My first song I learned from MTV was “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred at age 4. At that same age, the earliest dream I remember, I was being chased around a table by the Wicked Witch of the West, a random ghost, and a flying monkey. Speaking of dreams, I’m very fascinated by dream analyzation. For example, I had a dream where I was pregnant and giving birth to a baby. When the baby came out its head looked like the shape of an onion and curled hair on top, with all the gunk on it. The website I visit, said the word “birth” meant that something new was about to happen or an idea you have is your “baby” and it will grow. I thought it was because I ate onions the night before. Then there are times where you don’t even know where the dream came from! For example, in this other dream, I had to try and calm down a crying toddler, and she bit me, so I bit her back! In reality, I have never bit anything that was alive, nor did I have problems babysitting kids, in the past!

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

What keeps me inspired and motivated is by watching other comedians, networking, and looking at life in a comical perspective, as often as possible. Twisting reality keeps me sane! I love how as a comedian, you never know what to expect, and when one of your audience members tells you they peed their pants a little, you know you’ve done your job, and want to keep going!

Share with us something funny that has happened to you recently.

One of my phobias is bumblebees! So one came after me, and I took off like a bullet! I ran up the porch in my garage, but slammed my arm into the railing, turned around, and smacked into the door trying to open it, but couldn’t. I really need to go through some hypnosis or something!

Another funny thing happened about a month and a half ago. Some random guy in downtown Portland gave me this big-ass crystal and told me, “I want you to go home, soak it in water, and cleanse everything from me, and let it be a part of you!” I was so awe-struck, I forgot to ask him “Why me?” and “Where the hell did you get this from?!?” But sometimes, it’s best not to know. That was an obvious sign of the Universe! It’s one of those rare occasions that’s really cool, but odd at the same time! That’s like a hobo giving you some inspirational advice, or if you’re train-hopping, the hobo is acting like a tour-guide or a AAA agent giving you advice on what routes are best, etc.

How do you bridge the financial gap between what this profession pays and making a living?

I get paid sometimes for shows, but not enough to make a living at it, yet. The best way to do that is to keep your day job. Eventually, I’d like to do stand-up full-time. To make it happen, you have to travel a lot! But until I get where I want to be, I just think to myself, “I have to be funny, and everything else will come!” I still love making people laugh, though, whether I get paid or not!

What’s the best advice for the creative person that someone has given you?

I have gotten so much advice throughout the years doing this, but all combined from every comedian I have worked with and personally know: keep writing, keep your time, have fun with it, keep your day job, and think I have to be funny, everything else will come!

What projects are in the pipeline for you? Do you have a ‘dream’ project?

I’m competing in the Portland’s Funniest Professional contest this year, again, at the Comedy Connection. Most Thursday nights you can find me at Slainte, downtown Portland, for comedy open mic at 8pm, hosted by Brian Brinegar. Sometimes on Thursday nights though, I’ll do showcases at the Comedy Connection. Eventually, I’d like to audition for the Boston Comedy Festival and book myself for future shows all round Maine and out-of-state by the end of the year. My dream is to travel all around the U.S., do stand-up full-time, and live in either Boston, New York, or Chicago!

Photo from l-to-r: Erika Laflamme, Ellen Moschetto, Jessica Kirson, Amy Tee

8. Would you like to share your contact information? How can readers find out more about you?

I have a Facebook page, and my upcoming shows are under info/about me! For Booking, my email is erlaflamme@yahoo.com

Lucid Illuminates: Jeffrey Kagan-McCann

Jeffrey is the writer, director and producer of The Blue Moon Chronicles, coming to Lucid Stage June 9th – 26th!

Who are you, where you are from, and how did you start in this field?

Jeffrey Kagan-McCann

My name is Jeffrey Kagan-McCann and I’m from Hartford, Connecticut. I started in the theater field while as a freshman in High School. I started off as an Actor performing with several Hartford theater companies: Artist Collective, Hartford Stage Community Youth Theater, and Looking In – Teen Improvisation group. When I was nineteen I wrote my first play it was a comedy-drama about racism at an inner-city high school called A Fine Line. I won an award from the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Coalition for best production.

Tell us something you know that we may not know, about yourself or the world.

Hello, My name is Jeff and…I’m a Soap Opera addict! I love American Soaps, British Soaps and I’m getting in to German Soaps (Thank God for subtitles)! Also I’m Pop Trivia FREAK! I’m very competitive when it comes to playing Trivia Pursuit! Movie edition of course!

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

What inspires me is GREAT Theater! Shows that move me emotionally. When I saw Cymbeline and Midsummer’s Night Dream at Hartford Stage Company I knew I wanted to be a Director. When I saw Charlene Woodward’s production of “Neat” at Seattle Repertory Theater—I knew I wanted to be a playwright. That play made me want to push the limits with my writing. I knew I wanted to be involved in the Theater.

Share with us something funny that has happened to you recently.

Trying to cast the show was probably the funniest moment. It seems every actor in a 30-mile radius was busy. I didn’t think I was ever going to get this cast, but I was able to find a great bunch of actors!

How do you bridge the financial gap between what this profession pays and making a living?
Oh, god. Temp jobs mostly pay the bills. I’m still looking… so if anyone out there knows someone whose hiring… Give me a call!
What’s the best advice for the creative person that someone has given you?
Produce your own work! Don’t wait for anyone to hand you a check. If you are thinking of writing your first Play start off with a small cast (like 3 or 4). Don’t try to write the next Nicholas Nickelby or at least not yet. Have a reading at your home or rent a room at a school or church. Listen… LISTEN to feedback. And don’t let anyone tell you can’t write or that you are not a good writer. No one ever hits it out the park on their first time.

What projects are in the pipeline for you? Do you have a ‘dream’ project?

My next project after the “Chronicles” will be the East Coast Premiere of my play Sigourney Square Park, which will be performed at Lucid Stage this September. My dream project is to do a NY production (I would be happy with an Off-Off Broadway of The Blue Moon production) then once that is done turn it into a screenplay. I have two other plays I have been working on for sometime and I hope to finally finish them soon.

The Blue Moon Chronicles

Would you like to share your contact information?

Pearwater88@ yahoo.com

Lucid Illuminates: Tom Clark

Coming to Lucid Stage on Wednesday, June 1st in “Downeast Humor and Magic!

Who are you, where you are from, and how did you start in this field?

Tom Clark

I’m Tom Clark from Kittery Maine..I’ve been performing stand up comedy professionally for 30 yrs..I started as the class clown in high school, college got nerve to do Theatre with the highlight being the lead in West Side Story..then being part of a sketch comedy group in Maine and taking 3 yrs to follow my dream of going solo on the Boston comedy club stages in the 80′s

Tell us something you know that we may not know, about yourself or the world.

Well in that you dont know me that well..I’ll tell you something I believe about the world and me..I’m a sure believer in the innate goodness of the world..I’m an eternal optimist and my glass will ALWAYS be half full!

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

Being a recovering alcoholic for 13yrs I have a strong belief system..that helps me keep going and I’ve been a student of self improvement that entire time so I’ve read and keep reading anything motivational and surprise surprise ..IT WORKS!

Share with us something funny that has happened to you recently.

Today I got out of my car and saw a dime and realized I literally “stopped on a dime!” Silly, I know but I keep trying to see the funny in life.

How do you bridge the financial gap between what this profession pays and making a living?

In those 30 yrs I’ve always [except for 3 years in my single days] had a part time job as a bartender..I also do motivational speaking for the Hospitality Industry

What’s the best advice for the creative person that someone has given you?

A woman I met while being a singing waiter told me to “get obsessed and stay obsessed” about your passion…the next year she became the youngest female vocalist for The Glenn Miller Band..so I kinda took that to heart!

What projects are in the pipeline for you? Do you have a ‘dream’ project?

This show is a step in my dream project of making my Maine Character C.L.Thomas a full fledged theatrical one man show

and seeing where the success of that project leads. That’s the fun of dreams..they always lead to another …

Would you like to share your contact information? How can readers find out more about you?

Yes, Please direct all interested parties to my website www.TTTomTalks.com and see all that I “Talk” about.

Lucid Illuminates: Bill Bowers

Bill Bowers

My name is Bill Bowers. I was born and raised in Missoula Montana. I became interested in mime long before I knew

the word “mime”. Montana is a big quiet place……

Tell us something you know that we may not know, about yourself or the world.

People are not that complicated.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

I love working with young people. Introducing mime to young audiences is totally inspiring for me.

Share with us something funny that has happened to you recently.

I performed my show at a Nudist Colony in Northern Idaho.

How do you bridge the financial gap between what this profession pays and making a living?

It is the only way I know to make a living. I have always been a performer/teacher

What’s the best advice for the creative person that someone has given you?

There are many voices that you can listen to…..choose the the voices that support you, that want the very best for you. There are many NO’

It Goes Without Saying poster

s in the world. Find the voices that tell you YES.

What projects are in the pipeline for you? Do you have a ‘dream’ project?

I am working on a new solo play, called MOVING PICTURES, that will open Off Broadway this Fall.

Would you like to share your contact information? How can readers find out more about you?

www.Bill-Bowers.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Bowers/69374834652?ref=ts

Lucid Illuminates: Arthur Fink

Who are you, where you are from, and how did you start in this field?

Arthur Fink, transplanted New Yorker. My father was a graphic designer, and much as he tried to steer me away from being a visual artists, I’ve felt a steady pull in that direction. It wasn’t until I took a class at Maine Photo Workshops with Kate Carter (the last class she taught before she died) that I realized how much artistic work could help me both illuminate and then express my spiritual path. Years later, I was told to photograph some dancers, and the resulting experience has been a new spiritual awakening.

Arthur Fink

Tell us something you know that we may not know, about yourself or the world.

Well, my father designed the red and blue Bazooka Bubble Gum package, and Bazooka Joe himself was a close relative. And I’ve done all sorts of work, running a public relations program and an international consulting group, offering workshops on art and spirituality and consulting on management and communication. Yes, I consider myself an artist, but I certainly don’t fit in any one box.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

So much! Seeing anybody do something that they love, and that they do well, is always exciting. I’m thrilled to encounter great design, wonderful creativity. And I’m touched every time I see the power of love in the world.

Share with us something funny that has happened to you recently.

Funny? Like those coincidences that aren’t coincidences at all, and that seem absurd but are absolutely real.

How do you bridge the financial gap between what this profession pays and making a living?

I don’t! Or I try to. Visual story telling may be one of my passions, but it’s not proven to be a great income stream.

What’s the best advice for the creative person that someone has given you?

Do it. Don’t wait for the money, or even for what might be the quintessential inspiration. Just catch some of your creative ideas, and go with them. Some will fizzle. That’s okay. And other will take over, leading you to more and more inspiration and joy.

What projects are coming up for you? Do you have a ‘dream’ project?

Dancer, by Arthur Fink

Must I choose just one? I’d love to be free 25 hours a day to spend more time with dance companies in New York, at Jacob’s Pillow, in Holland, and in Norway or Denmark. I’d also like to photograph live births — not just the birth itself, but the whole social community at such a time of passage of opening. I want to work with more dancers and choreographers, creating images that are not just of the dance, but that are part of the dance. And I’m still seeking time to put together a book of my father’s images of Monhegan and my own images — “My Father’s Monhegan, and Mine”. Did you really want just one, Liz?

Would you like to share your contact information? How can readers find out more about you?

My photo web site is www.ArthurFinkPhoto.com, and my blog is at www.InsightAndClarity.com. Call my cell phone at 207.615.5722. I still have lots of photos hanging at Lucid Stage, but many more at my studio in town (145 Newbury Street, Portland).

Lucid Renovations series by Arthur Fink

Lucid Renovations series by Arthur Fink:

http://www.arthurfinkphoto.com/Lucid/09-01/