FringeHIGH Artist Profile: Michael Karas, Performer
Meet Michael Karas
Michael Karas is a featured juggler in Playing By Air, which is making its premiere at the Fringe Festival 2010.
The Stats
What’s next on your Netflix queue?
I really want to see Capitalism: A Love Story by Michael Moore.
What’s playing on your iPod right now?
Let’s see…Successful by Drake. Favorite lyric - “I know that it’s coming, I just hope that I’m alive for it…”
Last good book you read was…
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Favorite restaurant in the city?
I like Dorian’s Diner near the Vernon-Jackson 7 stop.
All-time, hands-down favorite piece of theater?
Streb’s Run Up Walls (Brooklyn!)
Why Michael Loves the Fringe and the Arts
What’s the best thing about Fringe?
All my life I’ve been a fan of the “fringe” with a lowercase f - theater that goes against the grain, theater that defies description and skirts genre. There are a lot of plays and musicals in the Fringe Festival, but to me, the best part is the chance for plays that wouldn’t get produced anywhere else to be seen, and appreciated by adventurous theatergoers.
What’s the #1 reason people should come see your show?
When most people think of juggling and clowning, they think of the circus. The coolest part about our show is that it isn’t a circus in the slightest. It’s an actual theatrical production, with a story to tell. The story just happens to involve juggling and physical comedy. I think people will be surprised at the range of emotions we encounter as our main violinist character makes his way through his enchanted world.
Do you have any Opening Night rituals?
Yes! Before every show, we chant “juggle juggle juggle”, getting slowly louder and louder before getting charged up and starting the show. You may hear us if you’re quiet about five minutes before the show.
What are the craziest performance conditions you’ve had to work under?
Let’s just say that 9 foot ceilings don’t work well for a juggling show!
How did you get involved with the arts?
I have Jim Henson to thank for that! When I was young, I was fascinated with puppetry and I pleaded with my parents to make me a puppet stage. They did and ever since, I’ve been passionate about the variety arts, the “fringe” arts!
Learn more at the FringeHIGH web page and buy your tickets to Playing By Air today!
