Out of the Shadows: Maxwell

Maxwell is a  new and very enthusiastic addition to Dark Follies. As he tells the in tale below, he first asked to be a part of the show

Maxwell - bending over backwards to share his talents at the July First Friday Art Walk show - photo by Jason Bethiaume

during the summer of 2010.  After finally getting a chance to see him display his talents at a dance night at a club in Portland, we asked him to join the Follies.  He made his debut in our April, “Vaudeville Never Died” show at Lucid Stage where his versatility was truly brought to light as he took the stage as comic relief, pirate, stage hand and human bus stop sign.  We are very pleased to have Maxwell as a part of the show!

1.      What do you do and how did you come to do it?

I am a fire spinner and when that isn’t possible I spin glow poi. In the stage shows I also fill the roles of Prop, Comedy, and Stage Crew.

2.      Where do you find inspiration?

I get inspiration from a few sources. One being the old performance troupes and stages of yesteryear when performing was a noble talent. Another source is actually from werewolves and the dark urban and gritty. I grew up reading fantasy and sci-fi and the characters I always loved the most were the wolves. The ones who could control their shape shifting. Some of the books I read depicted them as tribal primal beings. So I try to use performing as a way to create similar energy.

3.      How did you become a part of Dark Follies?

I had seen them perform in Monument Square my first summer spinning fire and had literally begged Joie (Joie: And he did indeed beg every Friday!)  to join. Fast forward to January. I was at Asylum, for a techno night they had called Outbreak, and I was with the people who had taught me to spin. Joie saw me spinning glow poi and said, “If you can do that to live drums with a middle eastern rhythm, I’d love for you to be a part of Dark Follies.” and I screamed like a little girl in sheer joy.

4.      What is your favorite part of performing with Dark Follies?

The chance to perform with some really cool people and make people laugh.

5.      When you leave this world for the great hereafter what do you hope to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for telling a great story,with a smile never far from my lips, and being generally a fun honorable man.

6.      If you were left on a deserted island and you were allowed one book and one tool what would you choose to bring?

A saber and the book Welcome to Bordertown.

7.  How can people find you…should you want to be found?

Running through the city in the dead of night howling at the moon; or in a dance bar somewhere; or fire dancing outside one.

 

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