An interview ahead of Edinburgh Fringe starting in August with Rise Above Performances about “A” their upcoming show.
Why have you chosen the letter “A” as the title of your show?
I have chosen the letter “A” as the title of the show for a few reasons. One, because it’s a simple title that people can remember, as the “A” movement, hopefully gains some steam. Secondly, and probably more importantly, is because of the tag line we use – “Everybody has an “A””. As we explain throughout the immersive – everyone has an “A”, whether it’s an Addiction, “A” need to be loved, “A” need to people please, “A” need for technology, Alcohol, and most importantly, everyone should have “A” need to self-care.
What are you hoping that audiences will take away from the show?
What we’re hoping the audience will take away from the show can be a loaded question! So many things… First and foremost, we hope that they start to recognize (and learn how to) recognize their “A(s).” Secondly and equally as important, is to truly understand why self-care is important, and part of that is caring for more than just ourselves. We are all part of the tapestry of mankind. With the way the immersive is presented, we hope there is at least one character everyone can relate to and take something from. Hopefully, the point gets across that you can’t hide from your “A” forever, much like you can’t hide yourself in the immersive forever.
Where did the idea of the show originally come from?
The show has been 15 years in the making (since 2011). It started as “Fact or Fiction: The AOJ Story” and then as “Reclaimed Freedom”, among a few other title changes It was originally written as a vindication story, light-hearted with some comedy for myself, and the transgressions of my past as I battled my own demons. All the topics covered – from drugs, Alcohol, suicide, technology – where all hideouts I had. However, as I learned more about myself, especially when I had a relapse in 2018 after my mom passed away suddenly, and reviews from some workshops we ran were digressing and getting away from what I wanted the core message to be, and what I needed it to be. It was then I realized it was something bigger than me, and I’m not alone. This is when it morphed into less about me and more about what the world needs – history, facts, a way to think outside the box that everyone can be onboard with. For years we kept the title “Reclaimed Freedom”, but about 3 months before the World Premiere in Sacramento in October 2025, we changed the name to “A” – so everyone can relate and see how we can all be connected through something so complex yet simple.
What have audience reactions been after the show so far?
Audience reactions have been very positive in its final form – from people relating to the story, to people enjoying the truth and realism of life (we sugar coat nothing). Many vets have thanked us for addressing things such as suicide and PTSD, and not straying from them as so many things do, for the sake of “comfortability” You can see some reviews on our facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/RiseAboveSac/reviews. We also have several reviews from
for Edinburgh Fringe,
Have any of you involved in “A” been to the Edinburgh Fringe before? If yes, what shows were you in?
I have been twice previously. In 2017, I was a stage manager and assistant director for a dance show called “California Dreaming” And in 2018, the Edinburgh fringe was one of our workshop presentations that went very stray for multiple reasons – and with my mom passing away back in the states while I was at the festival, there was no way to address these until I had time to self-care myself. Like wise, Connor, who is playing Chester, was an assistant director for The Golfer in the 2024
Where do envisage taking “A” after the Edinburgh Fringe has finished?
After Edinburgh, our goal is to take the show to at least three fringes a year, with every year returning to Edinburgh – since some may say that it was the beginning of “A”. During the world premiere, we had two performances that were charted out by High Schools. We modified it to make it appropriate, so we would like to continue to adapt a High School version of the show, to take from school to school, as everyone struggles with Mental Health, and teenagers often think they are forgotten about (Like whats portrayed in the show)
I also would like to add that “A” is presented to make you comfortable with being uncomfortable and feeling different. Those little things both good and bad define our life. Self-care, which stabilizes us all, can be anything from extra sleep, to reading a book, to getting a massage — whatever you need. This is exactly why we are presenting a second show every night as part of “Free Fringe” as well – a unique, one of a kind, immersive comedy, improv, and variety show.
Remember, Everyone has an “A” – the question is, will you manage Your “A”, or let “A” manage you?
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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