FRIGID New York Interview - Kirsten Stephens of "iMime, There's An App For That"

By Byrne Harrison

Name: Kirsten Stephens

Show: iMime, There's An App For That

Website: LaughingNomadProductions.com

Kirsten Stephens studied for three years with world-renowned Marcel Marceau in Paris, France and graduated from his school in 1997.  Following graduation from l’Ecole International de Mimodrame de Marcel Marceau, she toured France and Europe with the company Mime de Rien, a group she and four of her classmates formed. Upon returning to the US, Kirsten moved to Minneapolis to continue training and performing with the MargolisBrown Co. before teaming up with Dean Hatton in 2002 with whom she has created and performed numerous shows for festivals, universities and a steadily growing fan base. Kirsten is eager to re-introduce this art of theatrical minimalism to a new generation, with a few updated tweaks. Call it Mime 2.0.

What’s your show about?

Inspired by irretrievable hours sucked into Angry Birds, YouTube, and deciphering privacy settings. Each “app” opens a window into the bizarre, addictive, and sometimes surprisingly human things we follow, share and become with our gadgets. iMime tells the stories of our lives, both real and virtual, through stylized, poetic movement.

What inspired you to write it?

Mime is an art form I love, though it is not well known.  When it is done well, it is magical.

Who else is involved with the show?

Just me.

Who is your dream audience for this show?

Smart phone addicts, like me!

Who are your biggest influences?

Marcel Marceau, Red Skelton, Etienne Decroux, Buster Keaton, French and Saunders (a British duo)

What other shows are you planning to see at FRIGID?

Losing My Religion, Bathtub Jen and the Henchmen, A Day in The Life of Miss Hiccup, and as many others as I can.

What's next for you after FRIGID?

I will be performing and teaching in Kansas City, then working on a collaboration with a couple other mimes in LA.

Lightning round

Paper or plastic? Paper

Comedy or drama? Comedy

Beach or mountains? Ouch! Uh… beach!

Black box or proscenium?  Black box

Glee or Smash?  Smash, because it's what the Hulk does.

Cats or dogs?  Cats

Musical or straight play? Depends who's singing.

iMime, There's An App For That plays at Under St. Marks on the following dates:

Feb 21, 5:30 PM
Feb 23, 6:50 PM
Feb 24, 2:05 PM
Feb 25, 10:15 PM
Mar 02, 12:30 PM