Thursday, March 12, 2020
Performer Spotlight! Every so often, The Playground Theater likes to highlight a performer and give them a moment to talk about their experiences and joys in comedy. This week, we’ve chosen to give the spotlight to Devin Middleton.
Q: What things have you been a part of at the playground?
A: The first show I ever did at The Playground was The Church of Hip Hop. An improv and freestyle rap show about worshipping Kanye West as a cult leader. Strangely enough, this premise has almost entirely come true.
Q: How long have you been performing?
A: I’ve been performing for about 4 and a half years and usually open for improv teams and stand ups by doing solo characters and sometimes songs.
Q: What drew you to comedy?
A: I truly only started doing comedy as a way to make friends and moved to Chicago just to do music.
Q: What’s been your proudest moment doing comedy?
A: My proudest moments would have to be recently, I’ve gotten some WOC involved as producers of variety shows I work on. I’ve always felt those spaces lack the WOC voice and I know with involved, a lot more unique voices can get noticed and booked.
Q: What upcoming shows do you have?
A: Currently, I’m a part of a weekly show called Studio Eleven at iO, every Friday at 10:30, and I’m also a part of an upcoming sketch revue called “Melodramatic Trap Music”, Saturday’s at 9pm at Judy’s Bear Lounge at Second City starting March 21st!
–Lizzie Kaniecki, The Playground Theater’s performance and special events blogger