60 Second With… Ira of ‘mr.coffeehead’

Briefly introduce yourself/your company…
My name is ira and i am the writer and performer of mr.coffeehead. On this show, the creative team includes Aslam Husain, our director and Ruby Arnold, the artistic designer. Since 2014, Spec Theatre has been producing original works of performance, focused around themes of community, identity and self-empowerment with a healthy shot of off-the-beaten and humour.

What is it that makes your work/company unique
For each play, i, ira, write a piece and then work with the creative team to edit, rearrange and rewrite segments of the work. This includes the director, actors and any other creative willing to participate. This process results in a lengthy back and forth of reworking of the script and a continuing dialogue of what does and doesn’t serve the play, the theme or the intended message. For me, the more cooks in this kitchen, just means that many tongues have had a taste test and have added their spices to the mix, making it a more universally palatable and fuller piece for a more wide range of consumers. We are also a non-profit, so we are also constantly trying to strike a balance of working on creative projects and on our evolving policies and governing structures around inclusivity and equity.

What kind of experience do you hope audiences will have during your show?
A fun one, but possibly the type of filled-in fun where one walks away feeling like they laughed, but that it also sparked within then a question, a thought, a new consideration that they hadn’t had prior. Or maybe it resurfaces something?

Without spoilers, tell us what you think audiences will remember most about your show?
Thus far, audiences have remembered wicked dance moves, groovy songs, and, most importantly, lovable puppets.

What do you think is the best thing about the Fringe?
Meeting people, talking to them about their experiences, investing in lovely conversations with new friends, meeting and interacting with artists. Just BEING there and slurping in the Fringe feels. Yum.

What is the most important thing you hope audiences will take away from your show?
I hope people laugh, but also consider the piece and how it connects to their own presence and how exist within it.