Following My Fart: A Love Affair
Donation protected
Friends! Romans! Countrymen!
Hello. If you're reading this, chances are I know you. Possibly, my whole life (HI MOM!). But for those of you just now joining us, I'll give you the deets on me.
My name is Kenzie and I'm an actor, improvisor, writer, director, and producer based out of Chicago, IL.
I've been working as a stage and musical theatre actor for the past 7 years, and came to Chicago last year to focus on working and growing as a comedian.
In the past six months I've been the luckiest of ducks to have taken 96 hours of classes, participated in 3 festivals, performed in a handful of Second City Training Center Reviews, and put together 2 comedy troupes, Bevvy (an all-female comedy troupe) and Children of Todd (a long-form improv troupe).
So much stuff. So much fun. So. Much. Money.
I love this city, and I love this business. But it is just that: a business. Even though I have the training, experience, and ability to be on the Second City Mainstage (or so I've been told by my Second City directors and teachers) I have to go through the Second City Conservatory Program to even be allowed to audition.
I know. It stinks. I hate it. But I understand it and respect it.
Second City Mainstage is what feeds into the big leagues. Specifically, SNL. Farley, Fallon, Fey, Ferrell, Poehler...I could go on and on. (note: Change last name to something starting with and "F"? Maybe. Pray about it.) Every single one of my comedic role models have trained and performed in a place that I am lucky enough to train and perform in (I'm not crying...YOU ARE). Conservatory and Mainstage are the next steps, the biggest steps, and they're screaming my name.
Guess what!!? I auditioned and got into the Second City Conservatory!
But here's the thing. Conservatory is expensive. Like, reeeal esspensives.
Guess what else?!! I have to go. If I don't, I still have to pay the tuition. This is ab-so-lute-lee true. (note: always read the fine print, even on a seemingly standard audition form.)
"Get a job then. Doy"
I have a fulltime job, it's how I afford to live.
"Get another one."
I have another one. Still doesn't cut the bacon. That's not a saying, is it?
"No it's not. Then get ANOTHER job"
I can't.
"Why?"
Because then I wouldn't be able to do this. I wouldn't be able to make art. I wouldn't be able to make people laugh, or cry, or think, or escape. I woudn't be able to tell stories that change peoples lives.
"Then take a break. Or do something else."
Can't.
"Why?"
It's what I was made to do. AND I WILL DIE INSIDE IF I CANT DO IT.
"Psssh. Dra-ma queen."
Exactly!!! Yes!!! See!!
What I'm looking to raise:
My goal is to raise a portion of the tuition for The Second City Conservatory. My goal is to raise this by January 3rd, which is the first day of Conservatory classes.
I feel weird asking people to help, but then I remember the only way artists have surivived since the beginning is through patronage.
I feel embarassed, and then I'm reminded that we give to things that inspire us, that we wish we could do, and maybe this is that thing for someone.
I'm hesitant to invite people into the struggle because making it public makes it feel less precious or less safe. But in comedy, the rule #1 is to be honest, real, and open - and maybe it's appropriate to exercise that here.
Mostly, I feel kind of pathetic asking. I've done the work for what seems like forever, and I'm very good at it. Sometimes it feels like I should just be there already - successful, working paid gigs consistently, playing for the masses, etc. But I was reminded recently that this is something that my Dad always wished he could do. Then he went and died, like a total butthead. He never did it. But he could've. Boy, he could've.
He taught me to share my heart, my joy, and my passion unabshedly. So I do. Everyday. For my him; for my mom; for my loving and intentional Creator; for the obnoxious kid who hasn't found his place; for the chubby kid dying to be seen; for the little girl who wants to be everything when she grows up; for the loved, the lonely, the lost, and the afraid.
If you're still reading, I'm already so grateful for you allowing me to share this all with you. If you are able to give anything at all, I will be forever appreciative of your gift. As I lay in bed at night before falling asleep, as i repeat "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I will think of you. Send you love. And pray for a cozy blanket of blessings to wrap around you.
Here are some perks of giving-
$5 -$10 A personalized "Thank You" sent to your home!
$15- $25 A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, and a secret mailed to your home.
$30 - $50 - A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, a secret, and homemade gift mailed to your home. You'll also get a monthly update of how classes, performances, and life are going.
$55-75 - A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, a secret, and homemade gift mailed to your home. You'll also get a monthly update of how classes, performances, and life are going.
$80 - $100 - A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, a secret, and homemade gift mailed to your home. You'll get a monthly update of how classes, performances, and life are going. AND your name will be used to inspire a character in an original sketch written by me and performed by Bevvy. (Fun Fact: Matt Foley Motivational Speaker was named after Chris Farley's childhood friend who is now a priest.)
$200 + All of the above, and a comp ticket to a Bevvy show in 2016. (Redeemable in Chicago only)
If you're able, I ask that when you give, you only give what you can. Whether that's $5, a prayer, or support and encrouagement. Thank you again from the deepest part of my heart. So much love to you!
xo.
Kenzie
Hello. If you're reading this, chances are I know you. Possibly, my whole life (HI MOM!). But for those of you just now joining us, I'll give you the deets on me.
My name is Kenzie and I'm an actor, improvisor, writer, director, and producer based out of Chicago, IL.
I've been working as a stage and musical theatre actor for the past 7 years, and came to Chicago last year to focus on working and growing as a comedian.
In the past six months I've been the luckiest of ducks to have taken 96 hours of classes, participated in 3 festivals, performed in a handful of Second City Training Center Reviews, and put together 2 comedy troupes, Bevvy (an all-female comedy troupe) and Children of Todd (a long-form improv troupe).
So much stuff. So much fun. So. Much. Money.
I love this city, and I love this business. But it is just that: a business. Even though I have the training, experience, and ability to be on the Second City Mainstage (or so I've been told by my Second City directors and teachers) I have to go through the Second City Conservatory Program to even be allowed to audition.
I know. It stinks. I hate it. But I understand it and respect it.
Second City Mainstage is what feeds into the big leagues. Specifically, SNL. Farley, Fallon, Fey, Ferrell, Poehler...I could go on and on. (note: Change last name to something starting with and "F"? Maybe. Pray about it.) Every single one of my comedic role models have trained and performed in a place that I am lucky enough to train and perform in (I'm not crying...YOU ARE). Conservatory and Mainstage are the next steps, the biggest steps, and they're screaming my name.
Guess what!!? I auditioned and got into the Second City Conservatory!
But here's the thing. Conservatory is expensive. Like, reeeal esspensives.
Guess what else?!! I have to go. If I don't, I still have to pay the tuition. This is ab-so-lute-lee true. (note: always read the fine print, even on a seemingly standard audition form.)
"Get a job then. Doy"
I have a fulltime job, it's how I afford to live.
"Get another one."
I have another one. Still doesn't cut the bacon. That's not a saying, is it?
"No it's not. Then get ANOTHER job"
I can't.
"Why?"
Because then I wouldn't be able to do this. I wouldn't be able to make art. I wouldn't be able to make people laugh, or cry, or think, or escape. I woudn't be able to tell stories that change peoples lives.
"Then take a break. Or do something else."
Can't.
"Why?"
It's what I was made to do. AND I WILL DIE INSIDE IF I CANT DO IT.
"Psssh. Dra-ma queen."
Exactly!!! Yes!!! See!!
What I'm looking to raise:
My goal is to raise a portion of the tuition for The Second City Conservatory. My goal is to raise this by January 3rd, which is the first day of Conservatory classes.
I feel weird asking people to help, but then I remember the only way artists have surivived since the beginning is through patronage.
I feel embarassed, and then I'm reminded that we give to things that inspire us, that we wish we could do, and maybe this is that thing for someone.
I'm hesitant to invite people into the struggle because making it public makes it feel less precious or less safe. But in comedy, the rule #1 is to be honest, real, and open - and maybe it's appropriate to exercise that here.
Mostly, I feel kind of pathetic asking. I've done the work for what seems like forever, and I'm very good at it. Sometimes it feels like I should just be there already - successful, working paid gigs consistently, playing for the masses, etc. But I was reminded recently that this is something that my Dad always wished he could do. Then he went and died, like a total butthead. He never did it. But he could've. Boy, he could've.
He taught me to share my heart, my joy, and my passion unabshedly. So I do. Everyday. For my him; for my mom; for my loving and intentional Creator; for the obnoxious kid who hasn't found his place; for the chubby kid dying to be seen; for the little girl who wants to be everything when she grows up; for the loved, the lonely, the lost, and the afraid.
If you're still reading, I'm already so grateful for you allowing me to share this all with you. If you are able to give anything at all, I will be forever appreciative of your gift. As I lay in bed at night before falling asleep, as i repeat "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I will think of you. Send you love. And pray for a cozy blanket of blessings to wrap around you.
Here are some perks of giving-
$5 -$10 A personalized "Thank You" sent to your home!
$15- $25 A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, and a secret mailed to your home.
$30 - $50 - A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, a secret, and homemade gift mailed to your home. You'll also get a monthly update of how classes, performances, and life are going.
$55-75 - A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, a secret, and homemade gift mailed to your home. You'll also get a monthly update of how classes, performances, and life are going.
$80 - $100 - A personalized "Thank You," a signed, outdated headshot, a secret, and homemade gift mailed to your home. You'll get a monthly update of how classes, performances, and life are going. AND your name will be used to inspire a character in an original sketch written by me and performed by Bevvy. (Fun Fact: Matt Foley Motivational Speaker was named after Chris Farley's childhood friend who is now a priest.)
$200 + All of the above, and a comp ticket to a Bevvy show in 2016. (Redeemable in Chicago only)
If you're able, I ask that when you give, you only give what you can. Whether that's $5, a prayer, or support and encrouagement. Thank you again from the deepest part of my heart. So much love to you!
xo.
Kenzie
Organizer
Kenzie West
Organizer
Chicago, IL
