Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Boutin.
Hi Tori, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 1993, a sulphurous crevasse opened in Orlando, FL and spit forth a creature of such evil and blasphemy that rumor has it the earth shuddered in despair. That creature? MEEEEEEEEE!
I was a quiet child who took to recording private audio dramas on my Walkman. After making my school librarian laugh by imitating a chainsaw, I discovered that I was a born entertainer. From Shakespeare camp to a four year over-priced degree, my craft became my life. I spent eleven years in Washington, DC working as a performer, writer, and musician where I received rave reviews from The Washington Post such as “underwhelming,” “rampantly mugging,” and “gets tiring.” Some of the top highlights of my time in DC include writing two critically acclaimed theater for young audiences musicals (Fantastagirl and the Math Monster and The Seaside Adventures of Zoey Brine), performing with The Second City and The Kennedy Center, and hosting a variety show for my birthday that ended in a fire breathing performance in my parking lot.
After a hop and a skip in Chicago where I formed a digital sketch group (Glass Half Funny) that had over 200 views on YouTube (WOW!), I decided to take my new found fame to Tinseltown where I could rub elbows with all the other top influencers. Here in LA, I’ve had to joy of being seen in a Liquid Death commercial, hosting cabarets and variety shows across the city, and can currently be found performing with the multiple time sketch cagematch winning group Critical Booby.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Famously smooth ride. No complaints. OF COURSE IT’S BEEN A NIGHTMARE! From the voices in my head telling me to quit to the voices outside of my head also telling me to quit, it’s been a real struggle bus. However, every rejection has forced me to ask myself the question, “Do I still want to do this?” The answer is just always the same.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a writer, performer, and arsonist..sorry, I meant musician. In my twelve year professional career, I’ve performed as many of your favorite classical theater clowns, music directed and composed for Prince George’s County’s Shakespeare in the Parks, and acted on variety of new theatrical works.
However, I’m most proud of my work in children’s entertainment. While in DC, I performed with all the region’s top children’s theaters. I’ve written two theater for young audiences musicals with my writing partner Madeline Belknap Kirby. Currently I teach a free music and dance class most every Saturday at Mountain View Park in Burbank. Follow @babiesandbops on IG for the monthly schedule. My goal is to claw my way into the writers room for children’s television. In the meanwhile, I’m available for children’s birthday parties.
Throughout my work, I’ve become known for my quirky humor, characters with heart, and playing the accordion. As a non-binary person, I’m also pretty fed up with the lack on non-binary characters out there. In most all of my work, I write two non-binary characters because I want gender queer people to see that being yourself doesn’t me you have to be alone.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom is true supporter of mine. She woke up from her double mastectomy surgery quoting one of my sketches. I can’t think a better compliment. My musical writing partner Madeline Belknap Kirby is my actual better half. She’s the ultimate hype woman and she didn’t even judge me when I finished a marathon half an hour after her. A real big shout out to my sketch team Critical Booby. I hate them all because they’re funnier than me. I hate them so much that I decided that I have to keep working with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toriboutin.com
- Instagram: @bogwitchoftheworld
- Other: Critical Booby IG @criticalbooby
Image Credits
None
