1.  How did you first discover Accordion Time Machine?

 I had just moved to Asheville after living for a year in a converted school bus and traveling the country with my family.  I was desperate to get into the theatre world again and to find a community stat.  I perused the auditions listed in the paper and on the web and found ATM auditions.  I thought it sounded incredible and it was worth a shot, right?  So I came out for the audition.  I knew no one theatre people in town.  I had no idea what Anam Cara or Accordion Time Machine would be like.

2.  What was the audition process for ATM like?

  I was super excited about the audition.  I did a piece about losing my virginity and I played with fire a little bit.  I love to write and perform so I wasn't super intimidated by the actual audition.  There was an interview afterward and I was determined to just be myself as much as possible.  I'd spoken with a college director of mine on the phone just prior to heading to the audition (in the Yellow Room at Toy Boat Community Art Space) and she said "Just do your best and be yourself and if they're excited about you, then that's the right fit."  I don't know if they were excited.  There was a panel of judges all well...judging me.  I tried not to think too much about them individually but I remember thinking Erinn was a no bullshit kind of person and a true professional.  Kristen was super nice but definitely wanted the best for this group she'd created.  Justin was just painfully handsome.  Rachel seemed interested but didn't ask me any questions.  Tom was Tom.  Possibly the most fascinating looking person on the planet.  It felt good to be vulnerable, but I had no idea if I was going to "get in" after I was finished and they said I could go.

3.  What is the best part of Accordion Time Machine?

The community.  The family.  Accordion Time Machine was a gateway for me into Anam Cara and the Asheville Theatre World.  ATM itself is my safe space.  I know they get me, or they pretend to really well.  And even if I'm a mess somehow I am always able to get through it after an ATM rehearsal.

4.  Why do you continue participating in ATM?

 It feels like life support sometimes.  There are definitely times when I don't want to go to rehearsal, but I'm always so glad I did.  I don't want to stop putting these things on stage.  Learning about people this deeply.  

5.  Why should audiences attend an ATM show?  What's in it for them?

It's something truly personal.  You get this incredible look into the insides of the artists in a way that no other experience really provides.  I have attended a few shows when I have taken off a cycle being a part of the ensemble and it is always just fantastic.  Surprising.  Heart wrenching.  Hilarious.  All of those at once.  Constant motion and outpouring of energy.  You'll leave with so much to ponder.  And something insane might happen to you - it's rare an audience gets through a show without participating in some way - but it's never the horrible magician asking for a volunteer situation.  It's always something wonderful and abstract and sometimes wet.

6.  What are three words that best describe ATM?

Surprising, vulnerable, authentic.

7.  What is your favorite food?

potatoes.

8.  What was your favorite ATM sketch so far?

 Tippin's piece from the last show where she sat on top of the storage area at Toy Boat and smashed the cup.  I also love Em Willey's piece where they talked to Molly's son while he was still inside Molly's belly.  I apologize for not remembering the names of the pieces.

9.  What are your favorite artistic outlets that are NOT ATM?

Writing.  Watercolor painting.  Acting on stage and in front of a camera.  Playing classical piano.

10.  What is your favorite method of transportation and why?

Walking for sure.  I also love trains.  Walking because it is the least stressful and I have the most control.  Trains because I am not required to do any thinking about the getting there.

11.  How many scoops of ice cream do you feel you could realistically consume in one sitting?

 It really depends on the size of the scoop.  But average scoop with average scooper.  Probably...six or seven.