Episode 48 - Be As Weird As You Are with Peyton Storz

Hi Friend! Here are the show notes for Episode 48 of Sally’s Performing Arts Lab Podcast. The Fabulous Peyton Storz of Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre joins me on this episode of SallyPAL.

I’m Sally Adams. I talk to people on a podcast about creating original work for a live audience. Send an email anytime to Sally@sallypal.com.

Before the interview, I want to share a couple of thoughts. I love live performance. I love live music, dance, poetry, theatre, opera, you name it. But more than that, I love good story telling. I’m drawn to storytellers. Like the woman at the party who reveals an embarrassing moment for the sake of a laugh. Or the older gentleman who can pull you into his childhood with some well chosen details. My daughter, Emile, has 2 or 3 ‘go-to’ stories she calls her 'party stories'. They enable her to feel less awkward in new situations and they reveal to strangers that she's interesting. I firmly believe that every human has a story to tell. But so often I hear people say they’re boring or that nothing interesting happens to them. My mom used to tell me if I was bored it meant I was boring. But I think feeling boring has more to do with whether you are present in the moment. I’ve been working on reminding myself to pay attention to what’s happening right now. Like when I’m singing at the local brewery, I can easily veer off into thinking about my lyrics, what’s on tap, what song I want to do after this one I’m singing right now… But I do best when I am immersed in the moment of the song. It frees me to interact with the people who are actually listening. The other night I got lost in thought while performing and totally stopped the song because I just forgot where I was. This doesn’t generally happen (partly because I keep my lyrics handy). But the other night when I stopped, a lovely man came up and kindly reminded me of the lyric and began to tell me the story of the song I was singing. He mentioned how meaningful it was to him. Ordinarily, before an exchange like that I would be tempted to joke with my music partner or the audience about the music or my memory, but this person was so ‘in’ the moment of the song… and I was not. Rather than be upset with me for forgetting the lyrics to this special song, he helped me refocus. It was so generous.

I think we have an opportunity as story tellers whether the audience is opera lovers at the Met or a couple of friends hearing you tell a party story. Be with the people who are listening. Listen to them as well. Being present is the ultimate compliment you can pay another creature. Past regrets and worries about the future are the enemies of the 'moment'. Be present in your life and I guarantee you will feel alive. And there’s almost nothing better than to be alive in front of an audience.

You can even get a t-shirt that says exactly that! “Alive in Front of an Audience” at the SallyPAL shop! Check it out at SallyPAL.com/Shop.

In the ‘Amber Harrington - Work Hard and Don’t Be a Jerk’ episode I mentioned that I was toying with a YouTube channel. I’ve used it for live TOWN Stages interviews, creator encouragement and my own original music and covers. I’ve been working on a couple of different channels. "Brian and Sally" is a channel featuring my music partner and I rehearsing songs. And "SallyPAL" is a mish-mosh of live performance and storytelling stuff. In time, I hope to improve my technical skills and expand the offerings but there’s already content for anyone who’s curious. 

Peyton Storz

I’ve known Peyton for a while now and I have expected for quite some time that she would make her indelible mark on the world of live comedy. Before she realized she is a comedian, Peyton studied Shakespeare, Greek tragedy, and contemporary drama. But when she was taunted by a southwestern professor for being too 'weird', she switched programs and found her voice in Chicago. Peyton graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Comedy Writing and Performance. She trained at The Second City and The Annoyance Theatre. Peyton recently graduated from The Annoyance Theatre training program where she’s performed with the popular Splatter Theatre. The “subversive language and themes” in The Annoyance Theatre’s unedited and progressive comedy has garnered hundreds of standing ovations, produced Chicago’s longest running musical, and spawned a second venue in New York City. Notable alumni from The Annoyance include cast members from Upright Citizens Brigade, MADtv, the Office and Saturday Night Live. Other graduates include Jeff Garlin, Amy Sedaris, Andy Richter, Jane Lynch, and Stephen Colbert… and now Peyton Storz who, with three other performers, has formed the new comedy group, Size 11 Productions. Their all-female Hairy Tales features a Snow White and the 7 Dwarves burlesque number and a live sword fight. You can see the show every Friday night in June at Otherworld theatre space in Chicago. Peyton is one of the most memorable comedians you’ll see on stage. Her authenticity, intelligence and her willingness to try new things make her a comedy treasure. I hope you’ll enjoy my interview with Peyton Storz on SallyPAL. I know Peyton as the consummate thrift store bargain hunter and the person to be with if you’re hungry for adventure. She has a big heart in a little body. And she definitely thinks outside the box. Peyton is a comedy risk-taker. Never one to settle for safe, reliable bits, she always seems to find humanity in the bizarre. I believe it’s the secret to her success. Peyton’s next venture is with Otherworld Theatre in Chicago. I know you’ll enjoy episode 48 with Comedy Risk Taker, Peyton Storz. Be sure and listen until the end of the interview for Concise Advice from the Interview, and Words of Wisdom from George.

At the SallyPAL shop you can buy t-shirts, totes, coffee mugs and stickers with vintage theatre photos, paintings and fun sayings. Proclaim, “My Life is My Art” or identify yourself as a “Story Warrior” with great gear from the SallyPAL.com/Shop. If you’re a story teller (and, honestly, who isn’t? It’s what makes us human.) you’ll appreciate SallyPAL swag at SallyPAL.com/shop. Go see for yourself.

Concise Advice from the Interview. 5 bits of advice from Comedy Weirdo Peyton Storz:
#5 Figure out what you care about
#4 If it makes you feel good, you should do it. If it makes you feel bad, you shouldn’t do it. Only you know what’s best for you.
#3 If you’re around people who don’t make you feel like it’s okay to be as weird as you are, then you need to find new people.
#2 Just because someone tells you something is right, doesn’t mean that it’s right for you.
#1 for whiney straight white males: Stop talking and let someone else talk. Then maybe you won’t be saying anything wrong because you won’t be speaking at all... Then take a second to listen.”

Thank you for following, sharing, subscribing, reviewing, joining, & thank you for listening. If you’re downloading the podcast and listening on your drive to work, or podcast-binging like my sister does, let me know you’re out there. Shared storytelling is the most important thing we do as a culture. That’s why I encourage you to share your stories because you’re the only one with your particular point of view. And SallyPAL is here with resources, encouragement, and now: t-shirts, totes, coffee mugs and stickers! All the stories ever expressed once lived only in someone’s imagination… Now… Start Listening!