Friday, February 27, 2015

FRIGID New York Interview - Taryn Parrish of "Hey '90s Kids, You're Old"

By Byrne Harrison

Show: Hey ‘90s Kids, You’re Old
Photo credit: Photo of Taryn Parrish by David Franczak

Taryn Parrish is a film graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University, Taryn has directed three short comedy shows to date and works as a freelance writer for online publications, including HelloGiggles.com

Tell me a little about your show.

Hey ‘90s Kids, You’re Old is a ‘90s nostalgia sketch comedy show that is set in the present. We have asked the question - what if our favorite ‘90s characters had to grow up, like we did? As such, you’ll see lots of familiar ‘90s characters, technologies, toys and themes in modern day situations.

What inspired you to create it?

I wasn’t inspired by one person in particular, I was moreso inspired by recent popularity of ‘90s nostalgia in pop culture, and the discussions that it provokes online (‘90s kids yearning for, “the good ol’ days” for example, as seen in the comment sections of nostalgic listicles.) I was and am totally fascinated by this discourse – how we deal with aging, how we romanticize our youth, and how we define a generation. I love that the ‘90s are thought of by some as “the last true decade” and I wanted to explore these themes in a really fun way.

Who else is helping you bring the show to FRIGID?

Literally everyone in my life is helping me bring this show to FRIGID! My employer, my siblings, my parents, my friends from elementary school all the way to university are helping either financially or with their time. My actors are, of course, also making this possible, booking  their time off work and sharing an apartment for 2 weeks. They have also helped build the show and have helped to make it the best that it can be. We are incredibly fortunate, and incredibly grateful.

Who would be your dream audience for this show?

Our show definitely has a target audience – people who consider themselves to be ‘90s kids. This generally means that you’re born between 1983-1993, but it really is a fluid definition. I suppose my dream audience would be ‘90s kids, who love to reminisce and who are pop culture junkies. That way they can appreciate all of the ‘90s pop culture we jammed into this show :)

As a theatre artist, who are your biggest influences?

Well, I would have to say that my current, biggest influence is Jimmy Fallon. Because our show is sketch comedy, I’m always looking to comedians who are creating smart, relatable, shareable content – because that’s what I would like to do as well, but on stage. Jimmy Fallon and his team are absolutely brilliant at making The Tonight Show to fresh, exciting, and enjoyable.

What shows are you planning to see at FRIGID?

I wish I could see them all! A few that caught my eye were Get Around Me, Post Traumatic Super Delightful, and I Was A Sixth Grade Big Foot.

What is next for you in 2015?

We’re taking Hey ‘90s Kids, You’re Old to the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in July 2015!


Lightning round

Favorite theatre professional? Matt Murray

Current show you would love to be involved with? I haven’t seen it yet, but I feel like Bayside! The Musical is right up my alley.

Your dream show to be involved with? The 39 Steps – I love Hitchcock!

Who would you most like to have a chance to work with? Bill Watterson.

Your best theatre experience? I really loved The 39 Steps and The Book of Mormon.

Your worst theatre experience? I won’t say – I respect anyone who puts themselves out there.


Person you’d most like to thank for getting you where you are today? My family!


For more about Hey '90s Kids, You're Old, visit the FRIGID New York website.

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