 |
Aneesa Folds Explores Life's Big Questions in New One-Woman Show
Aneesa Folds, widely recognized for her energetic performances with Freestyle Love Supreme, is taking on a new challenge with her one-woman show WHY AM I HERE?, set to be workshopped at The Second City New York on August 30th.
The show, directed by Jonald Jude Reyes, delves into the ups and downs of Folds' life with a mix of humor, introspection, and raw emotion. Known for her sharp wit and engaging stage presence, Folds uses the performance to explore themes of love, self-worth, and the existential questions that often go unspoken.
Folds has made a name for herself not only on Broadway but also in television and film, with credits in productions like Trading Places, Ragtime, and tick, tick…BOOM!. In WHY AM I HERE?, she taps into her personal experiences, offering the audience a candid look at the moments that have shaped her journey.
Jonald Jude Reyes, who brings his extensive experience as a director at The Second City to this project, guides Folds through this deeply personal narrative. With a background that includes directing for Lincoln Center Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre, Reyes is well-suited to help bring Folds' vision to life.
The developmental performance of WHY AM I HERE? marks a significant moment in Folds' career as she steps into a solo spotlight, offering audiences a chance to see a different side of the performer they thought they knew.
This new work promises to be as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, a reflection of Folds' unique ability to blend humor with heartfelt storytelling.
Here is what Aneesa Folds had to share about creating her one-woman show "WHY AM I HERE?"
Q: Why is "WHY AM I HERE?" important to you? What do you want audiences to know?
Aneesa Folds: It feels extremely vulnerable to be putting myself out there in this way. It’s my first time creating something like this and my first time being the only person on stage. It’s been an intimidating process, but I’m having so much fun. I’m excited to share it with the world. I want audiences to know that the show is the answer to the question. I’m here to have a good time, and I hope they show up ready to join the party.
Q: How did you connect with your director, Jonald Jude Reyes? And what did you learn that you didn’t even know you didn’t know?
Aneesa Folds: I pretty much walked into The Second City open house and struck up a conversation with him. One thing led to another, and here we are. I’m very grateful that we crossed paths—Jonald has been a huge support for me. The show wouldn’t be where it is now if I didn’t have him pushing and cheering me on. We have a lot of big dreams for this show. I’m excited to see how it continues to grow.
Q: I’m a fan of Freestyle Love Supreme. I understand that you have Alan Markley as your music director.
Aneesa Folds: Alan Markley is a musical genius. I’m so happy he said yes. We’ve worked together quite a bit over the last few years, so he was one of the first people I thought of when it came to working on music for the show. The way he’s able to take my ideas and transform them into actual songs is insane. It’s been magical—I consider myself very lucky.
Q: Your one-woman show has been described as raw, hilarious, and unexpectedly tender. What makes it raw?
Aneesa Folds: Well, it says it’s not for your kids for a reason. In reality, I wanted to challenge myself to take up as much space as possible. I think it’s pretty wild, but you’ll just have to come and decide for yourself. I wanted to create something where I could be unapologetically Aneesa with zero limits.
Q: Training is everything in life. What do you want to do next? Movies? TV? Podcasts? More theater? Run for President?
Aneesa Folds: [Laughs] Right now, I’m focused on this show and seeing where it takes me. I’m open to whatever comes next—whether that’s more theater, TV, or something completely unexpected. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll throw my hat in the ring for President!
No comments:
Post a Comment