EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A - Annie Sertich

Tell us a bit about How To Not Kill Yourself For 30 days..and the next 330.

It's a 100% true story about a time where my life fell into what I call the sh*t bucket. Being an improvisational and sketch actor at the world-famous Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles (part of their Main Company), humor was always the foundation of everything. And boy did I need it. So what started as a memoir, turned into a one-time-only stage play, lead to a full run in Los Angeles, a couple shows in NY, and now here we are.

Truthfully during that time, I just wanted someone to tell me, it's okay that I couldn't get off the kitchen floor and also laugh at the same time. Eat Pray Love 'kinda' did that but it was Julia Roberts-- I look more like Gary Busey when I cry.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

A wonderful woman by the name of Katie Churchill worked for CAA London at the time and saw it while in LA. She started the idea in motion, I watched a funny and honest documentary called 'Hannibal Takes Edinburgh' on her recommendation, and before I could really think too hard about it, said yes.

The rest of the CAA LA team (Jacquie Katz and Praveen Pandian) and managers (Paul Young and Maggie Haskins of Principato Young Entertainment) kept the nudge going despite my major flight fears. I will be flying with my pals #flightdrugs. For more on my fear of flying follow me on Instagram @anneisertich. (Only 1 cat picture per month, promise).

Where might we recognise you from?

Most recently I played CJ Cantwell on HBO's Silicon Valley and Jules in a Lionsgate film called 'Dirty 30.' Additionally you may have seen me on: Shameless, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and if you live in the states, a range of commercials from cars to toilet cleaner.

Who would you recommend comes to see you?
Anyone 16 and up. And anyone who can relate to pudding for breakfast.

Are there any other shows you're hoping to catch at the festival?

I'll for sure hit Jenny Bede's 'Eggtime' on a day off, as well as 'The Jurrassic Parks', 'Austentatious' from the talentEd Graham Dickson and his crew, and my friend's show 'Not Lady Chatterley's Lover.'

See Annie Sertich: How To Not Kil Yourself for 30 Days...And The Next 330 at the Pleasance Courtyard throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 2nd - 27thAugust. For tickets visit www.edfringe.com