Greta Titelman

GRETA TITELMAN is a comedian, actress, and writer living in Los Angeles. You can currently watch Greta on the HBO series LOS ESPOOKYS as US Ambassador Melanie Gibbons as well as on the fifth and final season of SEARCH PARTY. Greta can also be seen on SHRILL, AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS and Kristoffer Borgli’s short film SOFTCORE. You can also listen to her on her podcast SENIOR SUPERLATIVES. Greta was selected for Comedy Centrals “Up Next” Showcase at Culsterfest 2019 and has performed as part of Netflix Is A Joke Festival, New York Comedy Festival and Moontower Comedy Festival.

Greta’s show EXQUISITE LIES just closed at Edinburgh Fringe and you can see her perform in LA at Dynasty Typewriter on Saturday Sept 9th.

EXQUISITE LIES is described as an investigation into "the most deranged and dramatic person" in your life... you. What compelled you to tell this story and expose these parts of yourself for an audience? Do you feel like the experience has gotten you closer to a feeling of self-acceptance? Or what have you learned in the process?

This show came together pretty organically for me. I had been hosting a storytelling show for years with my musical collaborator and friend, the genius Henry Koperski. Together we go into this really amazing improvisational flow where he would essentailly score whatever story I was telling, matching the vibe, the energy and those show really allowed me to chip away at what would eventually compose this hour and I am really thrilled with where I landed. Without Henry, and our musical journey, the show would not have the life that is has today, and the ability to artistically explore with someone in such an organic way is so rare and such a blessing! Thematically with the stories, it has been a great lesson in dancing between true moments of vulnerability and moments where I’m just purely having fun. I think when I was a younger performer (even though I am still young!) I felt this need to rip my shirt open and scream THIS IS WHAT MAKES ME ME! And I put a lot of pressure on myself to play all my cards, so make sure I give ALL OF MYSELF. But through the process of this show I've learned you don't always have to do that. So now I can say, at this point in the process, that yes parts of this show are me but parts aren’t and I have so much more to give and say than just this show.

As a female creator, what kinds of visuals, genres, and styles of storytelling interest you? How do you develop your own original work?

I like pushing myself hard toward whatever moves me. Whether it’s singing or just really committing to whatever story/joke I’m saying. I think just tapping into my most unhinged, unbridled self is how I develop my most original work. To go deep and be fearless in the creation process which I am not always! I think when I am just like FUCK IT is when my best work is made.

Is there a visceral moment, bit or joke in your show that really encompasses the deeper meaning or "heart" of what you're hoping to get across?

Perhaps the end. When you think you’ve just listened to this person tell story after story of making terrible decisions and then right when you think she is going to change (because everyone is obsessed with people CHANGING) she turns back to tell you one last thing. The ending is something I am still not sure works compared to the tightness and momentum of the rest of the show but I think I like the point of saying maybe some of us don’t change and that’s ok and maybe we are all a little nasty in the inside and that is ok too. I think we feel so much pressure to be perfect all the time that I hope the audience feels a release in watching someone be wild and crazy on stage. They can either walk away and think “wow I’m not alone” or “thank god I’m nothing like that psycho”. Of course the person I am on stage is a character (some people might have been confused lol) but playing her is really a conduit in releasing whatever shame we might feel inside.

I also found it fascinating how many people are obsessed with whether or not I’m telling the truth. Maybe that’s the moment, the tension that is at the heart of it. The little dance where I’m really the only one that knows and what does that matter? Can’t we all just release a little control, let our minds wander and have some fun?

What are you working on after EXQUISITE LIES? What's next for you?

Amazing, big beautiful things are next and all of my dreams are coming true!!! (I truly have no idea and am just trying to stay calm and float with what comes my way).

Can you tell us about some other female-driven shows you've seen at Fringe this year that really blew you away?

Of course of my US legends Ruby McCollister, Patti Harrison and Meg Stalter! I also adored Celya AB, Chloe Petts, and Lucy McCormack. All so different but all stunning and perfect.