BALLS' ON Comes to Hollywood Fringe
By: Julie Musbach May. 02, 2018
A One Woman Show by Katt Balsan, directed by the late Gary Austin, Founder and Original Artistic Director of The Groundlings, Produced by E.R. Ruiz, "Balls' ON" will take you on a journey from France to America with a medley of 25 different characters brought to life through Katt's real life adventures! Opens June 2 at The Broadwater Studio -1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038 during the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2018.
"Balls' ON": Beware of cultural shock, explicit language and breaking stereotypes. Follow Fate and Destiny as they're working on their "Earth Being" of the day; Katt Balsan pronounced "Balls' ON".
Gary Austin, the director, and Katt Balsan had been developing this One Woman Show since 2015. Presenting three "Works In Progress" at The Groundlings' Student stage in front of audiences as they were still writing the show. Sadly, on April Fool's day of 2017, Gary Austin who was battling cancer for several years, passed away leaving many of his students, friends and family in a long mourning.
It took a year for Katt Balsan to finish the show without her director. The premiere of "Balls' ON" on January 21st, 2018 was a success; a full house and standing ovation at The Thymele Arts in Hollywood. The show continued in February and in March at Santa Monica Playhouse.
Written & performed by Katt Balsan
Directed by Gary Austin
Produced by E.R. Ruiz
Story consultants: Aprille Nulan, Edwonda White and Joyce Hananel
Saturday, June 2 at 1:30 PM - Preview
Friday, June 15 at 5:30 PM
Friday, June 22 at 5 PM
The Broadwater Studio -1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
TICKET
http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/5283
Not for all audiences: 18+
Ticket Price: $10
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Katt Balsan (Writer & Performer) Growing up in both France and Switzerland and born from a half-Russian, half-Iranian mom and a French dad, Balsan has a mix of cultures and can speak French and English fluently. She started her career in Paris, France and furthered it in Los Angeles, calling this city home since 2012. Lead of the film noir "They Plot By Night" Gold Award winner at L.A. Neo Noir Film Festival, she played the role of Solange. Balsan oozes sex appeal and mystery as Solange. She also appeared in the season finale of "Major Crimes" Season 3 and starred in the French hit TV show "Hollywood Girls Season 4". Balsan can be seen on TruTV's comedy TV show "Hack My Life" as a Pomegranate-abuser Dominatrix.
Gary Austin (Director)
Mr. Austin began his acting career as a member of the Committee, an improvisation troupe in San Francisco. In 1972, he began gathering other performers to practice and perform for one another in an informal setting. He called them the Gary Austin Workshops. By the next year, he formed the Groundlings with 50 members. The company quickly grew to 90 members and attracted attention from prominent comedians like Lily Tomlin as well as Lorne Michaels, the creator of "Saturday Night Live." Gary Austin, who helped changed the shape of American comedy as the founder and artistic director of the Groundlings, died at age 75 on April 1st 2017. Mr. Austin was a sought-after teacher; many of his alumni became big names in comedy, some starring on "Saturday Night Live." They include Phil Hartman, Lisa Kudrow, Pat Morita, Jon Lovitz, Kristen Wiig, Kathy Griffin, Helen Hunt, Melissa McCarthy and her husband, BEN FALCONE. And so was Paul Reubens. Mr. Austin helped him develop the anarchic character Pee-Wee Herman in the 1980s and even gave him his gray suit.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
E.R. Ruiz was born Eddy Ramon Ruiz Jr. In Los Angeles, CA, on May Eight. He is the son of Eddy Ruiz Sir, and Mary Mosley, sister to Jack Mosley and his son (boxing champ) "Sugar Shane Mosley". His father is of Nicaraguan descent and his mother originally from Louisiana. Ruiz was raised in South Los Angeles in 1987, Ruiz sustained severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while asleep from smoke inhalation from a house fire. E.R. began his path readjusting to the new road ahead landing a reoccurring role of "Gill" on the widely popular FX show "Sons of Anarchy" (2008-2011). Ruiz was recently seen in Ana Lily Armirpour's The Bad Batch along with Jim Carrey, Suki Waterhouse, Keanu Reeves and Jason Momoa.
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