Kaci Beeler has performed in a prodigious FIVE Out of Bounds festivals if you include Out of Bounds West (and we do!). Over the years, Out of Bounds has repaid her loyalty. Let's talk to her about it, shall we? Okay.

Out of Bounds: So, you got "discovered" by a talent agent at Out of Bounds. How did that come about?

Kaci Beeler: Well, I was at Out of Bounds West in Los Angeles, May 2008. At the time I was doing some film work in Austin here and there (mostly through contacts I had with friends) but I hadn't looked into getting an agent. You need headshots (mucho dinero) and you have to show them acting work or reels and it just seemed like too much trouble to go through - I'd rather just focus on improv and getting my undergrad degree for the moment.

And so that was what I was doing at the time I was "discovered" - focusing on improv at the end of my semester and doing a few shows at Out of Bounds West. It just so happened that a talent agent that worked in both Austin and LA was in the audience for the the Available Cupholders show I was in. Supposedly he loved it and asked around to find out who I was. He hunted me down a few weeks after the festival back in Austin. It was awesome. He and his agency, Tag Talent, wanted to sign me, even though I didn't have headshots or anything at the time. It was so much easier than trying to approach them myself. I'm glad I procrastinated in this instance.

Amy Heckerling, director of Johnny Dangerously and Clueless, actually saw our Out of Bounds Parallelogramophonograph show the year before. We only knew that because she told my fellow troupemate Kareem her name and said she enjoyed the show. He didn't recognize the name at the time and was just like, "Uh...thanks!", but we figured it out via the Internet later. Famous lady like our show!

Out of Bounds: What do you like most about Out of Bounds?

Kaci Beeler: Performing and watching others perform, and then getting together with other like-minded improvisers and talking shop. I could talk about improv and improv theory for hours, and I love getting to know new people and groups from around the nation. I have friends in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago, Hawaii, Tulsa, Omaha, and more all from meeting up at improv festivals. Out of Bounds has the absolute best parties of all the festivals in the nation - I am convinced of this! Having a conversation born of mutual respect with a performer over beer is one of the best ways to talk about the art form you love.

Out of Bounds: Tell us a bit about yourself and your improv.

Kaci Beeler: I'm 22 years old, a female, and getting my undergraduate degree in Art from St. Edward's University in Austin this May. I have an adorable puppy named Tuesday who has an obsession with licking. I think cupcakes are extremely pleasing to look at. I fly around the country and make blog videos for Southwest Airlines. I like to paint realistic and representational paintings with oils as well as design and create sets for the improv stage.

I've been performing improv for about 6-7 years now. I perform in at least two shows every weekend, usually more. Parallelogramophonograph is my main troupe, and we focus on improvisational theatre and create narrative longforms. Lately we've been performing Improvised French Farce around the country but here in Austin we're continually creating and experimenting with new formats. We're actually getting ready to wrap up our latest run - GRIMM : Improvised Brother's Grimm Fairy Tales. I also perform with the Available Cupholders, Perfect Season, Adventure Squad!, and in almost all the shows at the Hideout Theater. I've studied with Keith Johnstone as well as many other diverse instructors and performers from all over. I take what I like from them and leave the rest.

In my improv, I really care about creating shows that the audience can invest in. I always want to be challenging and pushing myself, and I never want to make a joke at the expense of a scene or show. I sincerely believe that well-performed improvised theater can be as good as the best scripted theater. Sometimes it's hard -- working in the ultimate ephemeral art form where even the best shows are only as good as they are in the moment and everything else is a fleeting memory -- but it's the intense connection I get with my fellow players and the audience keeps me coming back to it every week.

Oh yeah, I'm also getting married this September! After Out of Bounds, of course. ;)

Labels: improv, interviews, kacibeeler