Salsation Theatre Company, NFP

Your favorite “Comedy with a LATIN flavor” group is back with a brand new sketch comedy revue entitled “Ctrl+Alt+DEPORT”!    The show explores the way that technology is reshaping our daily routines and changing the way we relate to one another. Salsation ponders this material through an unflinchingly Latino lens.   A guy is dumped by his girlfriend and he employs YouTube to win her back. Tune into a video podcast created by a group of ambitious high schoolers, complete with celebrity news live from the cafeteria. A symphony of ringtones underscores the shrinkage of our personal space.   And see what happens when alien technology is pitted against our love affair with personal electronic devices.  It’s a show you don’t want to miss!

The show was written and will be performed by Frankie Benavidez, Jonathan Hicks, Gabriel Martinez, Maria Mendoza, Aaron Page,  Horacio Ramirez, Shantel Rodriguez, Nelson Velazquez, and Mary Zemaitis.  Contributing writers include Hugo Rosado and Patrick Garone. The show is directed by Charles Hall.  Stage management provided by Cassie Soliday.

Here are the details:

Ctrl+Alt+Deport
Fridays April 23rd – May 28th @ 8 PM
Gorilla Tango Theatre
1919 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
$12
Get tickets online or call 773.598.4549

Saturdays April 3rd – May 15th @ 7:30 PM
(No show April 24th)
Second City Donny’s Skybox Theatre
1608 N. Wells (4th floor of Piper’s Alley)
Chicago, IL
$12

What’s your history with Salsation?
I was introduced to Salsation through Salsa-Sketch 2009. That was an incredible day and all around fantastic experience for me as a performer. I am so happy to be working with Salsation again and have a little more time to put the show together.

What got you started in comedy?
Nelson Velazquez got me started in comedy. Well, not just him, but the entire dramalicious music-improv group, Recapitulation. Since then I have been training at the Annoyance. “Ctrl+Alt+Deport“! will be my first full-fledged sketch show!

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
SPOILER ALERT: Well, there’s one that I’m partial to about this fellow who’s come up with a secret formula. Even with the SPOILER ALERT, maybe I shouldn’t say too much more…

What does the future hold in store for you?
I have a hard time answering this kind of question. Who knows? I’d like to say, “More good things.” Yeah, let’s just say “more good things” and maybe some things that are not so good, but we’ll deal with those. Like I said, I have a hard time answering this kind of question!

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I used to always say Patrick Stewart…until I really did meet him. I got his autograph and then was so star-struck , I ran away! So, I’m not sure if he would remember me – maybe I should meet him again?

What’s your history with Salsation?
I was temping in the Loop in November 2009 when I got an e-mail from a community theater audition newsletter about “Salsa-Sketch 2009.” The auditions were THAT NIGHT at Second City. I’d recently moved back to the suburbs from downstate, and hadn’t gotten a chance to explore the Chicago comedy scene yet. You have to take the opportunities when they come, and I knew this was a great one. I printed off my fake headshot (a nice picture my friend had taken of me a few years back in a bar…I’d like to thank Microsoft Paint for allowing me to blackout the Miller Lite logo in the background) and headed off to grab dinner with my sister before my audition. I was really tired, so I thought it would be a really good idea to drink 4 cups of coffee before my audition. I think it took me about a week to get back on a normal sleep schedule after that. I’d done a lot of sketch, but very little improv, so I was really nervous for the improv audition (ok, perhaps the 4 cups of coffee didn’t help). During my group’s shakedown warm-up, my shoes flew halfway across the room, and for some reason, I thought that meant they wouldn’t let me in the show. Turns out they let Polish klutzes in too, and I made it!

When the day of Salsa-Sketch finally arrived, I was incredibly impressed with the enthusiasm and focus of all the performers and crew. We all had a barrel of monkeys while creating some hilarious sketches –and all in just one day! It was my first real experience with improvisation, and I was hooked. Turns out that improv is just like writing a sketch – only really REALLY quickly. I can’t get enough now. I thought to myself, “It’s too bad I’ve only been able to share a day with these folks – they are my kind of group!” Thankfully, I was offered yet another great opportunity – being an ensemble member in Ctrl + Alt +Deport. Considering the fact that I’m not a total idiot, I took it, and I have enjoyed every minute.

I try to drink only 2 cups of coffee before rehearsals.

What got you started in comedy?
Way before I ever had an interest in pursuing sketch comedy, my high school English teacher Mrs. Lindbloom once told the class, “Why do we laugh? Because if we didn’t, we’d be crying.” I always loved performing and became a drama nerd in high school. In college, my life revolved around the Penny Dreadful Players, a low-budget student-run theater troupe. I acted with them, but more importantly, I realized how much I loved writing for the stage, and had the opportunity to have my original work showcased through the troupe (in my opinion, there is no greater thrill). It wasn’t until my senior year that I got bitten by the comedy bug though. I was going through a period of time where I felt I wasn’t being utilized or challenged enough in my troupe and sought out other projects. My friend’s sketch comedy group, Fishing with Dynamite, was having mid-semester auditions and they really needed to cast a girl in the group. I was a little hesitant at first, but I felt like I really needed to branch out. I ended up being the only auditioner cast in the group, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was able to combine my love for laughter with my love of writing. I’ve learned, like good old Mrs. Lindbloom told us years ago, that comedy has the magical quality of transforming pain and frustration into laughter. What’s not to love?

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
Making this decision was harder than deciding where to go to college. Considering I was only accepted to one college, that was a true statement. Charles wrote a great, endearing sketch about two weirdos on a blind date that I particularly enjoy. Nelson also wrote a fantastic sketch that comments on the use (or lack thereof) of Spanish in today’s culture. In fact, they’re all good – pleasecomeseeourshow.

What does the future hold in store for you?
Exploring everything this great city has to offer. Learning everything I can about comedy and theater, and hopefully saving up enough scratch to take a real improv class. Continuing to take those great opportunities as they come.

Also, at some point, getting real headshots taken. Seriously, that bar picture is only gonna get me so far.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Because I’m indecisive, I am going to cheat and say I would host a potluck for the following people.

1) Joss Whedon. Because I’ve been a fan (nerd?) of Buffy since the sixth grade, and I think he’s a genius of contemporary sci-fi. He’s been a huge influence in my writing. I would ask him to bring pie to the potluck.

2) Amy Poehler. Two words: comedic powerhouse. I saw her perform improv at the UCB in New York, and it was truly an inspiration. She’s welcome to bring her husband along. Glazed ham.

3) Rod Sterling. FACT: TheTwilight Zone is one of the best TV series ever produced, with some of best storytelling ever. Ugh, and THAT VOICE. He’ll bring the finest bottle of bourbon.

For the record, I would make gourmet macaroni, using 3 different artisan cheeses.

What’s your history with Salsation?
(Gabe lights up a cigarette and takes a drink of the scotch he just poured) Let me tell you something. These Salsation cats are bad dudes, baby.

What got you started in comedy?
I used to play guitar and sing. Unfortunately, I was overweight and funny looking. My mom said to me, “Mijo, if you want to get a woman, get another profession”. So, comedy seemed like the obvious choice. Are we done here?

Not yet, Gabe. The people want to get to know you a bit.  So, what’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
Everyone in the cast is a genius. Were very fortunate to have 10 genius’s in the group 13 if you include Patrick, Hugo and…what the hell’s his name?….Charles.  (Checks his watch) I really got to get going.

What does the future hold in store for you?
(Gabe takes a drink again. A tear drop comes out from under his sunglasses)  I hope to make some of the money back I lost at the “Horseshoe Casino” last year. A lot of people think blackjack is not a beatable game. I’m not one of those people. One of these days, I’m going to start hitting again…you’ll see.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Tree Rollins…(abruplty) Can you edit that last part out? I don’t want my wife giving me an a-whooping. Seriously, if she found out I was gambling again. (Interviewer gets up and leaves) Come on!  Give me that TAPE! Get back here!!!

What’s your history with Salsation?
I had first heard about Salsation when they came out with My Big Fat Quinceanera. I never actually went to one of their shows, but I remember checking out there website and seeing they also did Touring. I thought, “Hey that would be cool to work with them, looks like fun”.  Then last summer while doing my daily Craigslist search for Talent under Gigs. There is was, in big, black, bold print, “SALSATION THEATRE COMPANY OPEN AUDITIONS“.

I was so excited and nervous all at the same time. I had done theatre before but not much of improv, aside from the games I used to play in my high school acting class, and watching Who Line is it Anyways?. I figured it couldn’t hurt, and like your told that every job interview is a good experience…so is every audition. So I emailed Salsation, got my 6:10 pm slot, and auditioned. I remember how I reacted when I read the email that I was accepted as part of their 2009 Touring Cast. I was screaming and jumping up and down with excitement, “I got in!! I got in!” Watching me you’d probably think I got accepted in Harvard or something. Better yet I was like Olive from Little Miss Sunshine...oh yes and all of this was while I was at work. Not to worry my co-workers just saw it as “Oh Maria is just acting like her silly self”. Nothing they’re not used to.

So I toured with Salsation and performed in The Brown Supremacy, SalsaSketch 2009, and Chicago Sketch Fest 2010. Now I am doing my first Main Stage Revue  Ctrl+Alt+Deport, and I am very happy and excited just like I was the day I was accepted into La Familia de Salsation.

What got you started in comedy?
I love to laugh!!!!! For as long as I can remember I love making others laugh. I remember the first time I made a group laugh was when I was six years old. My school was doing a Christmas show and me and my 1st grade class were supposed to be little human Christmas presents. I remember my mom along with other mom’s came in to help make the presents. We were literally in wrapped boxes. You could only see our feet, hands, and head. I remember my box was too big for me. So when we had to do our dance number and raise our hands in the air, the box completely covered my head. So I couldn’t see where I was going and I pretty much looked like that kid with a bucket over their head only I had a really big Christmas present instead. So, I think I ruined the whole dance, because I was bumping into walls, students and falling over. Sure I was six and much cuter back then, so maybe that’s why they laughed.

But I remember how oddly good it felt to be laughed at, and how much I liked the sound of laughter. Especially if it was from something I did. So I kept dancing, and kept falling but the laughs kept me going. From then on I enjoyed performing, imitating people, actors, and of course my crazy family members. The way I see it is everyone has problems to deal with big or small. I got into comedy because of the notion that I have the ability take some ones mind away from their conflicts for an hour or even just a minute. To me that is very satisfying and makes me happy. Everyone has enough to cry about. The remedy…LET’S ALL LAUGH MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
I’m really looking forward to a lot of the sketches. Everyone has really brought so much to the table. One that comes to mind is Nelson’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” sketch. It was funny reading the part as the Customer Service System with a sassy attitude.

What does the future hold in store for you?
I guess no one can really plan for the future because your never know what sort of curve balls this thing call “Life” is going to throw at you. However, I do have goals that I would like to reach. I would like to get as much experience and knowledge as possible in all aspects of performance (improv, dance, singing, etc). I won’t lie, I am that person that would love to be on Second City’s MainStage one day; hey, maybe even go from there to SNL (and make it funny again), maybe have my own sitcom and make movies. My goal is to someday quite my day job and be able to make a living just out of acting. I want to wake up, make my cup of tea, grab my script, and head out to the theatre, studio, etc and just PLAY!!! After all it’s not work if you’re doing what you love right?

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Ok I can’t just chose one. So many to chose from. I love the guys form the Madison Company. I love Tom Hanks (love the Money Pit) and Johnny Depp. They are both so versatile. I would also like to meet Carol Burnett. She is fearless and will do anything for a laugh.

Get to know Ctrl-Alt+Deport cast member Horacio Ramirez!

What’s your history with Salsation?
I was first introduced to Salsation by former cast member Sonia Astacio.  I used to date her niece, and we caught a performance of Salsation’s revue “Veracruz”.  I got to know Sonia very well and after awhile she told me about how Salsation was looking for some people who’d be interested in writing and performing.  So she put in a good word for me and I came on board as a contributing writer and understudy for “The Devil Wears Chanklas”.  As an understudy you don’t actually think you’re gonna get the call, but sure enough I did get to do one show and it was my first time on stage.  It all felt so natural and I wasn’t nervous.  It also helped that everyone was very supportive around me and made me feel at ease.  Since then, I performed in last year’s show “Bank Of A Mattress-ca: Ghetto Dog Millionaire” and have done some touring with the group.  It’s been a blast and I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to do so.

What got you started in comedy?
As a kid I was the class clown, so I felt like entertaining people was my thing.  When you have a knack for making people laugh, they tend to suggest that you become a stand up comedian, so for many years it’s been a thing I’ve wanted to try but haven’t had the nerves to yet, but slowly but surely I’m getting there.

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
The ones I wrote, just kidding, or am I?  No, in all seriousness.  Gabe Martinez wrote a Rockband sketch with an old blues singer, and it just cracks me up.  I can’t even read the thing without laughing out loud.  But there are many others too.  We have a good group of writers this year, and it’s been a blast reading their scripts.

What does the future hold in store for you?
Hopefully, I make a good name for myself in comedy.  Get offered The Tonight Show, host it for seven months and then have it taken away by Jay Leno……..what?  Someone did that already?  Aw nuts!

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Paul McCartney.  I think the guy is a musical genius and he’s written songs that make up the soundtrack to my life.  If he’s not available for a meeting, then I guess it would be any of the guys from Monty Python.