"Karin Webb next commanded everyone’s attention as she explored the meaning of relationships while systematically removing her clothes.The crowd rubbernecked while she strutted around the room, her voice guiding their hungry eyes. By the time she’d made it back to stage, all that was left were her bra (soon to disappear, revealing tasseled nipples), panties, and fishnet stockings. Far sexier than what was left, however, was Webb’s command of the audience. Warm putty in her hands, more than one spectator’s mouth hung slack." - Bay Windows
Performer, Artist, Writer:
I am a character actor, dancer, burlesque performer, puppeteer, storyteller, writer, director, teacher, and creator. Between my day job and the sheets I create, produce, and perform with a myriad of talented, inspiring, and amazing artists. I wouldn't choose any other life... Welcome to my site, here's more about my past and current endeavors:
*** Dream Weird (Find Art Here): My newest project is a company that endeavors to bring artists (myself and others) to cities around the world for collaboration and performance opportunities with other artists from the cities we visit. We network who and what we find to create better access to collaboration between artists everywhere, and create performance events back home in response to our travels which will always include a talkback session. Check out our website: www.FindArtHere.com for more information; WE ARE FUNDRAISING NOW! for our first excursion to Berlin this summer, and a few other not-yet-decided upon cities: Please Donate
*** All The Kings Men (ATKM): I am an original member of this award winning performance troupe (we've been together since 2002), and with this band of merry weirdos I get to tour the US and beyond and perform. In 2010 a documentary was released about ATKM discussing sexuality, gender, and performance titled Play in the Gray, it's currently being booked for showings at film festivals and colleges all over the world. It's been released to DVD, so catch it if you can or get your own copy. A bunch of colleges teach my troupe in their 'Women in Theater' and 'Gender Studies' classes, and an interview with ATKM was written up in the March/April 2011 edition of The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide. We were recently named as 6 of the Top 100 Women We Love: Class of 2011 by GO! Magazine, and won one of their their "Readers Choice Awards" in 2012. In a typical show the 6 of us play about 50 characters over the course of an hour, and we perform everything from sketch comedy, to spoken word, to burlesque, melodrama, singing, clown, boy band characters, performance art and beyond! We even have swag...
*** Axe To Ice Productions: (Bent Wit Cabaret, Boiling Point Burlesque, Sex Sells: An Evening with Mary Dolan, Sloppy Seconds... etc, etc.) is my company. We produce cabaret and burlesque shows in the Boston area. I serve as Co-owner, Artistic Director, Producer, and Performer to this beast! 2012 will, sadly, lack A2I's voice as I endeavor to spend more time performing/writing/creating/collaborating artistically and less time producing. It was a fantastic run, and I'm sure I'll eat my words and get back in the producer's chair soon enough... damn persistent imagination!
*** Elephant Tango Ensemble: This puppetry-and-live-music collaboration and I have the fantastic opportunity to perform for younger audiences, as well as adults with our original stories, music, puppets, and skewed sense of what's appropriate. We've been featured in a "Contemporary Puppetry" exhibit in New Jersey in 2011, and were nominated for an IRNE this year... I have made some of my favorite visual art collaborating with these musicians, artists, and performers.
*** Dream Weird (Find Art Here): My newest project is a company that endeavors to bring artists (myself and others) to cities around the world for collaboration and performance opportunities with other artists from the cities we visit. We network who and what we find to create better access to collaboration between artists everywhere, and create performance events back home in response to our travels which will always include a talkback session. Check out our website: www.FindArtHere.com for more information; WE ARE FUNDRAISING NOW! for our first excursion to Berlin this summer, and a few other not-yet-decided upon cities: Please Donate
*** All The Kings Men (ATKM): I am an original member of this award winning performance troupe (we've been together since 2002), and with this band of merry weirdos I get to tour the US and beyond and perform. In 2010 a documentary was released about ATKM discussing sexuality, gender, and performance titled Play in the Gray, it's currently being booked for showings at film festivals and colleges all over the world. It's been released to DVD, so catch it if you can or get your own copy. A bunch of colleges teach my troupe in their 'Women in Theater' and 'Gender Studies' classes, and an interview with ATKM was written up in the March/April 2011 edition of The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide. We were recently named as 6 of the Top 100 Women We Love: Class of 2011 by GO! Magazine, and won one of their their "Readers Choice Awards" in 2012. In a typical show the 6 of us play about 50 characters over the course of an hour, and we perform everything from sketch comedy, to spoken word, to burlesque, melodrama, singing, clown, boy band characters, performance art and beyond! We even have swag...
*** Axe To Ice Productions: (Bent Wit Cabaret, Boiling Point Burlesque, Sex Sells: An Evening with Mary Dolan, Sloppy Seconds... etc, etc.) is my company. We produce cabaret and burlesque shows in the Boston area. I serve as Co-owner, Artistic Director, Producer, and Performer to this beast! 2012 will, sadly, lack A2I's voice as I endeavor to spend more time performing/writing/creating/collaborating artistically and less time producing. It was a fantastic run, and I'm sure I'll eat my words and get back in the producer's chair soon enough... damn persistent imagination!
*** Elephant Tango Ensemble: This puppetry-and-live-music collaboration and I have the fantastic opportunity to perform for younger audiences, as well as adults with our original stories, music, puppets, and skewed sense of what's appropriate. We've been featured in a "Contemporary Puppetry" exhibit in New Jersey in 2011, and were nominated for an IRNE this year... I have made some of my favorite visual art collaborating with these musicians, artists, and performers.
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*** Other Works: I spent a season touring about six shows around the United States with "Das Puppenspiel Puppet Theater" (check out the wolf). My favorite experience with this company was the opportunity to collaborate with symphony orchestras across the USA as our live soundtrack for "Peter and the Wolf" performances. There is nothing like being onstage with an orchestra at your back, if you ask me.
I guest perform as often as possible in burlesque, drag, circus, and cabaret shows like The Slutcracker, Show, Midnight Vultures, and Jerkus Circus (to name a few), and I was recently hired by the ICA to create a finale for their visiting production of "Chautauqua!". I am a member of The Hubba Hub in Boston - a great group of women performers with political and artistic minds. And I make things with my hands - puppets, masks, pasties, costume pieces, pen and ink drawings, sculptures - whatever my itching fingers desire. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with or share my stage with amazing artists over the years: Amanda Palmer, Vanessa White, Baratunde Thurston, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, Big Nazo Puppets, The Walsh Brothers (to name a few)... I have formal training in classical and physical theater (Boston University - BFA, Acting - Magna Cum Laude, Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater - PDP Program, 1st yr Graduate Student). These experiences have shaped me and paved the way to a greater understanding of theater, though I believe my most grounded and connected learning has happened onstage. The momentary conversation with my audience feeds and inspires me like nothing else - you are why I am driven to do this crazy wonderful work. |
Bent Wit Cabaret: Revealed. "Opening Number" written and performed by BWC Core Ensemble, Karin Webb as "Amanda" pictured. Photo by Caleb Cole.
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The moniker "UnAmerika's Sweetheart" was given to me by Evan O'Television, years ago when we were living in a warehouse-turned-underground-performance-space called Pan9. The name is meant to reference the way I approach the theatrical genre and character in my work - tearing into the ideas a form holds and twisting the remains into something that sends itself up or becomes a wholly other animal based on unexpected ideas... Live theater should surprise and shock, this is one of the most basic principles I believe.
My endeavor is to live art 100% of my working life... Having a manager, personal assistant, or other lovely creature dedicated to research and my brain would do wonders in making that a reality (any takers?). Feel free to contact me about anything - I love to perform, I love to workshop, direct, create, teach, talk, collaborate, think... I live to play!
My endeavor is to live art 100% of my working life... Having a manager, personal assistant, or other lovely creature dedicated to research and my brain would do wonders in making that a reality (any takers?). Feel free to contact me about anything - I love to perform, I love to workshop, direct, create, teach, talk, collaborate, think... I live to play!
