Check Out Katt Balsan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katt Balsan.

Hi Katt, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It started in 2012 when I moved from France to Los Angeles and met Gary Austin, founder and original artistic director of The Groundlings. Gary Austin became my improvisational theater teacher, mentor and close friend. Together we produced improvised show at The Groundlings (Two Ring Circus) and he directed my Award-winning one-woman show called “Balls’ON”. When Gary Austin passed away on April 1st of 2017, I decided to honor his work by continuing to present my show to Theater Festivals such at The Hollywood Fringe Festival. In 2019, I moved to Big Bear Lake to reconnect with the mountains. This is when I met Leslie Rubiner, another French ex-pat with who I co-created “Fools of Big Bear” an improvisational theater troupe in Big Bear Lake and share the work of Gary Austin. We offer 6 week-workshops and at the end of the workshop, we present the work in front of an audience for a fun night of improvisation.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The creation of “Fools of Big Bear” was actually very smooth, as if every door opened in front of us. The Big Bear locals were craving for entertainment especially after the pandemic and lockdown. We were offered a stage for our rehearsals and for our show at The Chirp Nature Centers by the owners Randall Putz and Beth Wheat. And the Fools showed up! We sold out our first show and our now preparing our next show. A Halloween-themed show at the “Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center” on October 14th and 15th and again during “Scary Tales” on October 29th and 30th.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are specialized in “improvisational theater” and the work taught by Gary Austin. Basically, all I do is share the work with our troupe members. I share Gary Austin’s work the way that he taught me. We learn the basics of improvisation, saying “yes and…”, being in the present moment, discovering everything and following your guts. After six weeks of workshops, we present our work in front of an audience! It is a fully improvised show and a lot of fun for the Fools on stage and the audience.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Hard not to mention Gary Austin again! All the work that we do comes from the late Gary Austin, who was my mentor for many years. Leslie Rubiner, my friend and co-creator of “Fools of Big Bear”, she is the one who came up with the idea and really pushed the making of it. Without Leslie, Fools of Big Bear would not exist! “Chirp Nature Centers”, “Bridges”, “Big Bear Performing Arts Center” for hosting our workshops and our shows. Kathy Portie from Big Bear Grizzly and the wonderful article that she wrote for us. The community of Big Bear Lake and all its Fools. And all the support that the audience has showed us. Thank you all so much.

Pricing:

• Workshop Fee- $60 for all 6 weeks
• Show tickets – $15 per night

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kattbalsan.com/foolsofbigbear
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kattbalsan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katt.balsan

Image Credits
Abran Rubiner Photography