Respondent: Robert Walker-Branchaud (owner/actor/producer)
Name of Company: Frat Pack Productions
Name of Show: Bouncers
“The trick for us was to find the humanity in it all. The human aspect is the only reason to tell this story, and helped us learn more about why we do the things we do to be liked, and loved.”
1. Why should anybody see your show?
Bouncers takes you on a Journey through the gritty side of nightlife in atlanta and the stereotypes and relationships our society calls love and friendship in the most hilarious, searing and sometimes depressing ways. Put a story like that in the hands of four actors who play twenty characters with no costume changes, no set changes, and only physical and vocal shifts to show transitions, and you got a show unlike any other.
2. Why Atlanta?
All of the actors in the cast have relocated to Atlanta for the booming film and TV market. We have participated in the Orlando Fringe in the past, and once we heard about the Atlanta Fringe going into it’s fifth year, we wanted to be a part of growing it.
3. What inspired you to create this?
The first time we read this show we thought to ourselves “What the heck is this?” It was so confusing on paper. It left us with so many questions. As we started digging deeper we realized how relevant the show was to today’s social shortcomings. The failed love, the superficial friendships, the misconceptions we all have in ourselves. The story had so much life once we dug our teeth into it, we had to put it on it’s feet
4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?
Bouncers has been like a heart pumping punch in the throat. Bouncers moves at such a fast pace, with no time to catch your breath, that the actors involved are sweating through shirts after every rehearsal
5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?
It’s easy to judge the characters in Bouncers. The girls can seem like desperate sluts, the guys can come off as horny douchebags, the bouncers can seem like hostile, power hungry jerks. The trick for us was to find the humanity in it all. The human aspect is the only reason to tell this story, and helped us learn more about why we do the things we do to be liked, and loved.
6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?
Given that we are all actors in the film and television industry as well as theater, we would give the tickets to Tyler Perry. Few artists understand both those worlds as well as he.
7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)
Bouncers is like having 4th meal at Chico + Chang's. Mexican and Asian food don’t necessarily make sense at first glance but when you get there you realize, “Holy Crap! This is Brilliant.” It’s greasy and bad for you, and that’s what makes it so delicious.
8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?
We would put our parents somewhere in the middle of the theater. The message of this show crosses generations and it would be interesting to see their reaction. We wouldn’t want them in the front row however, because no one’s mom should have to sit too close to their child while they hump another actor in a room full of strangers.
9. Will your show save the world ?
Social media drives today’s societal interactions. Through this self-indulgent medium we find ourselves losing human contact more and more everyday. We wind up replacing it with emotionally disconnected posts of judgement, false love, and perceived happiness. What lies beneath is much grittier and harder to swallow. This show won’t change the world, but it will shine a harsh spotlight on it.
10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?
We would donate all of the proceeds of the show back to the Atlanta Fringe Festival, because… Honestly Thank you, We just made a Million Dollars from putting this show up at the Festival. We would also get all the audience members take out from Chico + Chang’s so they can taste us in their bellies while they watch. On the other hand a room full of people with their bellies full of beans… Probably not the greatest idea.
11. Describe your show in three words.
Gritty, Hilarious, Debauchery.
For more information about Frat Pack Productions, please visit them on Facebook or Instagram.
