Hometown: Canby OR, Springfield MA, Portland OR
Education: University of Oregon, Emerson College, University of Oregon
Favorite Credits: "Renovation Realities" (DIY Network), "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (NBC),
"Going Ape" (Nat Geo TV)
Why theater?: Why theater? (yelling) Because there's nothing else! (yelling louder with arms spread wide looking at the sky) NOTHING ELSE!!!
Tell us about 20/400- Sketchy as F*ck?: 20/400 – Sketchy as F*ck is a sketch comedy show written and performed by Lauren Olson, Christian Paluck and Jana Schmieding featuring offbeat, whimsical, odd and aberrant characters and situations framed through sketches, character monologues and music. The result is a non-stop theatrical comedy experience which embraces weirdness in all its splendor. Plus sugar n' spice and everything nice.
What inspired you to write 20/400- Sketchy as F*ck?: We love collaborating with each other on creative projects. We've each been working on building a repertoire of interesting characters and after making the first season of our web series with them, we wanted to create new ones and do a live production.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: We love weird, dark, unconventional theater that both takes risks and is funny. We're inspired by bit and character actors - people who's face you might recognize, and performances you love but you probably don't know their name.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Karl Malden, Madeline Kahn, James Rebhorn, Chris Penn, Shirley Temple Black, Phyllis Diller, Michael Clark Duncan, Louis Prima, Vivian Vance.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: TJ & Dave, Tribes, August Osage County, Cock.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Viola Davis, Gary Oldman (+140 lbs), Geena Davis (Viola Davis' sister) star in "The Fabulous Davis Brothers" (Directed by David Lynch)
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Mirror kisses, Chocolate milkshakes, Talking to our invisible lovers before drifting off to sleep
What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: "Break it Down Again" - Tears for Fears, "Hey Pocky A-Way" - The Meters, "Mother Mother" - Tracy Bonham
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Running our own bodega.
What’s up next?: Filming Season 2 of our webseries this fall. You can see Season 1 and check out more about us at www.20-400.com
For more on Lauren, Christian, and Jana, visit www.laurenelizabetholson.com, www.christianpaluck.com, www.janaschmieding.com