Solo Fest 2024 Spotlight: nicole soul
The PlayGround Solo Performance Festival is PlayGround’s annual celebration of the best in California solo performance. Now going on its seventh year, this year’s Solo Fest runs January 26-February 11, 2024, with nine double-bill performances over three weeks in-person at Potrero Stage and simulcast.
Today’s spotlight: nicole soul in The Evolution Will Not Be Televised, 2/9 & 2/10 at 7pm
The Evolution Will Not Be Televised unfolds as an origin tale narrated by an unlikely guide—an inquisitive right-wing conservative pageant host. This hour-long dramedy weaves together character monologues, multimedia, music, and movement to unravel the bittersweet journey of evolution. Directed by Fariso Scales.
nicole soul, she/her, is a Nevisian-American comedian, writer, and award winning TV host who served as lead host on season 1 & 2 of Zappos LIVE. She debuted her one woman show, The Evolution Will Not Be Televised at Philadelphia Fringe Festival to a sold out audience, and was a selected performer at Lysistrata Comedy Festival, Black Girl Giggles Comedy Festival, and Laugh Riot Grrrlll Festival. In 2021, she took on the role as Chief Experience Officer of Antidepressants Media where she hosts and produces live experiences such as variety, comedy shows, and game shows that champion Black joy. Nicole got her start in entertainment winning the Miss Black New Jersey Scholarship Pageant, which inspired her acting career, as well as ongoing involvement in social activism. She graduated with honors from Rutgers University where she kicked off a career in broadcasting at 90.3 The Core radio station. Before using comedy as a vehicle for expression, nicole was the Founder of In Carrie’s Closet Vintage Boutique, and turned her love for thrifting into a nationwide vlogging tour. On Juneteenth 2021, she received dual citizenship in Nevis, West Indies, the birthplace of her father, nicole’s early retirement home.
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH THE ARTIST
What was the seed of this play? What inspired you to write it?
This piece feels like a coming out of sorts. Initially, my motivation for creating a one woman show centered around my desire for an artistic challenge. However, as I delved into the writing process, I discovered that the piece became a reflection of the challenges I had conquered and realizations I had embraced over the past decade. The focal point was the evolution of my sexuality, but it extended beyond that to reclaiming personal power from bullying and overcoming feelings of abandonment. Crafting the narratives for these characters became a powerful means for me to reclaim control over my life, both professionally and artistically.
Why is a solo show the ideal way to tell this story?
Unlike standup, creating a solo show allows me to morph into other characters to tell my story. Moreover, theater is such a sacred medium that allows me to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
What are your artistic influences for this show?
Whoopi Goldberg’s solo show is literally the blueprint for my solo artist journey.
What surprised you during the creation of this piece?
How much I cried, haha! The writing process was totally cathartic.
Is there anything audiences should know about you or your piece before they attend?
At the end of the play, there’s a lil audience participation.
PlayGround SoloFest 2024 features Amy Bouchard, Steve Budd, Geoffrey Grier, Bethany Mitchell, Miyoko Sakatani, Sonia Sawkar, Nicole Soul, Jill Young, and Hector Zavala, performed live at Potrero Stage and simulcast online. Online registrants can view the on-demand recording for up to one week following the live performance. Admission is free (donations gratefully accepted) and advance reservations are required. NOTE: For in-person attendance, masks are voluntary (PlayGround will provide masks for those who don’t have them). Online viewing is available through https://tickets.playground-sf.org (after reserving ticket, log in, go to main menu at “home”, select “tickets for upcoming performances”, find your show, and click “watch”). For box office questions, including streaming/on-demand access, email boxoffice@playground-sf.org.