Today there is an update in The Spotlight about Gravityland! The column is aptly named “Gossip: What’s new with John Herman today?” I must say it was a little surreal happening upon it. Yes, this IS what is new with me today. I like that I sound a little bit like the Robin Hood of New Media.

John Herman and his band of merry men and womenfolk are at it again. This time he and collaborators are working on “Gravityland,” “it is a Web-serial episodic story. …; I’m using every single artist and actor I know,” says Herman. “I call it the ’super interactive media project-soap opera.’”

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The Sunday Herald features an article by Jeanné McCartin called Triple threats: Multitalented local artists lead the RenGen about the next generation of artists deemed the Renaissance Generation because of their propensity for multi-talents. The term also refers to the cultural movement created by the confluence of art, education, entertainment and business. I am not only mentioned as a triple threat artist, but I am called a monster (in a good way!).

John Herman of Newmarket is a writer (which he feels is his truest art), actor, director, filmmaker (traditional and video), emcee/host for television and a concept and performance artist. In the words of Billy Butler “he’s a monster!”

NH Comedians Take to the Web for Live Interactive Performance

What happens when the Youtube generation meets ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’-style comedy live on the Web? Improv comedy troupe Stranger Than Fiction plans to find out. The New Hampshire cast will broadcast an interactive performance on Tuesday, January 15th at 7:30 PM via live video stream provider Mogulus. Viewers will contribute ideas through a chat room and watch their ideas come to life instantly. At show time, viewers can log in for free at http://www.mogulus.com/improvcomedy



“This may be the first live improv show designed specifically for a web-only audience,” says troupe director John Herman. According to Herman, the troupe experimented with the concept in late 2007 with a secret audience. “We didn’t know if it would work, but our test audience absolutely loved it. Now everyone is invited. What better way to use the Internet than to spread laughter with it?”

Cast member Petrus Albus adds that there are many benefits to the collaboration of New Media technology and improv comedy. “People can watch some great live comedy in their underwear if they want. And it’s quality entertainment without having to pay for gas or parking.”

Stranger than Fiction performs improv comedy in venues across the Granite State. The troupe’s next face to face performance is at The Barley House in Concord on January 17th. The show starts at 8 PM. For more information, go to http://www.strangerthanfiction.us

From The Portsmouth Herald, Spotlight: ‘Atoms, Motion and the Void’ is stunning

When you find yourself calling storytellers, writers/poets, actors and lovers of literature and theater to urge them to see a new play, it’s a good indicator that something mighty fine is afoot. Add to that the piece is only stronger with every passing day as you recall segments and you know you’ve seen something special. That’s certainly the reaction to “Atoms, Motion and the Void” on stage at the Players’ Ring. This show is mind-boggling, simply boggling. Do not miss it.

From Foster’s Daily Democrat, Showcase: ‘Atoms, Motion and the Void’ offers lush storytelling, perspective on life

“Atoms, Motion and the Void,” might just be writing and storytelling at its finest. Currently staged at Portsmouth’s Player’s Ring through Jan. 6, the gravely voiced, one-man soliloquy wraps you in brilliance and shows you your own light. One only need listen to the first few lines to recognize something amazing or awful is about to become you.

Award winning podcast Atoms, Motion, and the Void will take the stage as a one-man show at the Players’ Ring in Portsmouth, NH on Friday, December 28th. Told from the perspective of 79 year old Sherwin Sleeves, “Atoms” is a mystical tale of exploration that takes a turn for the inverse. Hired by a clandestine organization with the task of recording secrets, Sherwin Sleeves undergoes a transformative process which offers, in its end-stage, an intimate glimpse into the great unknown. The magical mystery goes to the very root of life, death, and identity.

“Atoms” was first broadcast as a podcast, garnering regional and national accolades. Local Thornton, NH writer and performer Sean Hurley first unveiled the character before a crowd at the Hard Rock Café in NYC at the request of popular radio hosts, Ron & Fez. The character of Sherwin Sleeves has also joined the weekly National Public Radio production of 11 Central Ave. Hurley recently won Chicago Public Radio’s Shortdocs competition and his work has been featured on New Hampshire Public Radio. “Atoms” is directed by Seacoast artist John Herman.

“Atoms, Motion, and the Void” will run from December 28th to January 6th with shows on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM and Sunday nights at 7 PM. Tickets for general admission are $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Student
and senior tickets are $8 for members, $10 for non-members. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling the Players’ Ring at (603) 436-8123.

For more information about “Atoms, Motion, and the Void” please visit
the website at http://www.radioghost.com. For more about the 2008 season for
the Players’ Ring, please call (603) 436-8123 or log onto
http://www.playersring.org.

This is a still from the first ever live web video broadcast of Stranger Than Fiction improv comedy. Suggestions for scenes were taken exclusively through live audience interaction in a chat room. My experiment was a big success. We used Mogulus to produce the show. We are pretty sure this is the first time the web has been used in this way by improv comedians. Everyone in the cast was excited by the positive response. The audience demanded we do it again soon!

I will be joining the talented Chris Bujold for a fast paced round of short form improv comedy with music (by Jon Briggs!) produced on a modified old school Nintendo Gameboy at the Cantab Lounge (with Bastards INC) in Central Square in Cambridge this Thursday, December 6th. Join us at 8 PM. Cover is only $3!