IRTE 2014: Say "hello" to Nannette Deasy!

The new year is here and with it a new season of shows for IRTE!  We have an exciting, fresh new line-up of shows and a couple of not-so-new faces joining our ranks this season!  So say "hello" to the 2014 cast!

Rounding out the cast this season is the lovely and talented Nannette Deasy!  Nannette is the Artistic Director of IRTE and we're thrilled to have her at the helm again this season!  We sat down with Nannette for a chat.

What do you love most about IRTE?

I love working and playing with people I truly enjoy and respect, performers that are not just talented and funny but reliable and dedicated. I also absolutely love that, instead of waiting around for someone to approach us about their new fun project, we go right ahead and create our own fun, new projects. There's a lot of freedom in realizing you can do that. That you can create just about any type of show you want. No lines. No waiting.

What are your thoughts on this season's cast?

 

They look great in clown makeup. Though Jamie complained a lot about how it made his face sting. (It's a face masque, Jamie, it'll make you pretty! Suffer for your art!)  Actually, I feel lucky to have the cast that I do. I think everyone works well together. I'm also excited to have Graceann and Marcia join us as full ensemble members after guesting last year. It feels like they were always a part of the group, they just showed up a little bit later...

 

 

What are some memorable moments from last season? 

 

Flying to Tampa with vIRTEgo Circus on Halloween for a festival; yelling at Jamie to just get out of his wheelchair and WALK ALREADY at the Del Close marathon (it was a prop for Jamie's character - people thought I was screaming at a disabled man. oops), Robert's Cajun accent for Groovy Gang, Graceann mentioning that she just happened to have a stripper robot costume, the audience reaction to musical guest David Johnston when he stepped onstage as Gift of Tongues and sang a rather catchy tune about Jeffrey Dahmer, some drunk college kid showing me the painful tattoo he just got plastered across his ass after the New Orleans Comedy Arts Fest. It goes on and on.

Who are some of your favorite IRTE characters?

My all time favorite character that I've played in IRTE has got to be Lorna Blue. She was the nerdy teen sleuth from Groovy Gang (actually she made her first appearance in Hint!, IRTE's very first show ever). She was pretty much a lower status Velma from Scooby Doo.  She wasn't as bright or as respected, but she was sincere and earnest. (Her voice still tends to pop out a lot whenever I improvise).  I also loved Curt's cannibal character from Interludes, Chompers, the anthropomorphic drum playing gator from Groovy Gang (played by Jeff O'Leary), and just about every private school kid played by Alex (including Tad, the overconfident leader of the GG).

 
 

What are you most looking forward to this season?

More theatricality, stretching what we do with our shows a little further. I'll also get to play a blonde again in League of Extraordinary Blondes (unless I'm an evil brunette). I enjoy wigs.



Thanks Nannette!  We're thrilled to be back with you this season!

IRTE 2014: Say "hello" to Alex Decaneas!

The new year is here and with it a new season of shows for IRTE!  We have an exciting, fresh new line-up of shows and a couple of not-so-new faces joining our ranks this season!  So say "hello" to the 2014 cast!

Returning as a regular cast member this season is the lovely and talented Alex Decaneas!  Alex is a founding member of IRTE and we're thrilled to have him with us again this season!  We sat down with Alex for a chat.

What do you love most about IRTE?

The affordable healthcare benefits. Other than that it is a great opportunity to work with very talented improvisers on a variety of show concepts over the course of the year.

 

What are your thoughts on this season's cast?

This season's cast is going to come out of the gate strong, in like lions, out like ligers. Rather than tiring in the third period, they will soldier on, force the play to the net, and work the box. I'm very into sport analogies.

What are some memorable moments from last season? 

Last year at the Del Close Marathon I did an entire set with my fly down. You're welcome.

Who are some of your favorite IRTE characters?

Jamie was doing a Clique show as a young hot Russian Orthodox priest, who's every word made the school children swoon. That made me snort quite often… which was hard to hide onstage. Everyone loves Chompers from The Groovy Gang. He's a talking alligator with costume included! Barbara (voiced by Nanette's clarinet skill), Curt's avairy sidekick through the apocalypse was particularly amusing as well.


 

What are you most looking forward to this season?

Laughing on and off stage with some of the finest improv family I have had the pleasure to perform with. IRTE is a fun group with strong talent and their shows are fun for all. Looking forward to every performance.


Thanks Alex!  We're thrilled to have you back with us this season!

IRTE 2014: Say "hello" to Curt Dixon!

The new year is here and with it a new season of shows for IRTE!  We have an exciting, fresh new line-up of shows and a couple of not-so-new faces joining our ranks this season!  So say "hello" to the 2014 cast!

Returning as a regular cast member this season is the lovely and talented Curt Dixon!  Curt is a founding member of IRTE and we're thrilled to have him with us again this season!  We sat down with Curt for a chat.

What do you love most about IRTE?

 

My fellow IRTE members of course.  I get really excited every season to create such unique shows with this amazing group of folks.  Each year is getting better and better.


 

What are your thoughts on this season's cast?


I can't imagine a more talented bunch of folks to play with.  I'm amazed at the level of talent in this group.  Everyone is so creative and we work very well with one another.  Plus the commitment everyone has to the group is awesome.  We're all busting our butts to put on the best shows possible.

 

 

What are some memorable moments from last season? 

 

So many!  I loved the way our shows developed.  Interludes was especially fun to discover.  I felt it really grew organically as we progressed and we had some great scenes in that show.  And I was super happy that my friend Rainblo was able to do makeup for vIRTEgo Circus.  He's incredibly talented and we all looked awesome!  Of course going to New Orleans was super fun and a wonderful bonding experience for the group.


Who are some of your favorite IRTE characters?

You can't beat the Groovy Gang.  All of those characters worked incredibly well together.  And the weird collection of misfits in Interludes made for some very strange and crazy scenes.


 

What are you most looking forward to this season?

I can't decide which show I'm most excited about.  We've put together such a variety of shows it's going to be fresh and new throughout the season.  And it's going to be fun to step off of the stage and direct Small Claims.


Thanks Curt!  We're thrilled to have you back with us this season!