Professionsl matchmaker Olivia Raine Atwood has taken some time away from her full-time and is performing to talk to me about her upcoming Edinburgh Fringe show, Oops.

When and where are you performing at the Fringe this year?
My show is at Gilded Balloon, Teviot, Billiard Room, 14:30 for the full run!

Have you been given any advice or help from performers or creatives who have previously been to the Edinburgh Fringe?
A few years ago, I was on the phone with my friend and incredible comic, Lucas O’Neil, of the wonderful & hilarious special Emotional Man. I was freaking out about trying to get a new agent and a manager and a PR person and every single person of power under the sun who could help me advance. Lucas then told me that the best thing I could do would be to focus on the work. Focus on the work he said, and the rest would come. He was absolutely correct. Make a good show, and everything and everyone else will follow.

When did you first step on the stage as a performer?
When I was maybe 7, I played the backside of a tiger in elementary school. It was one of those things where every kid needed to be cast, so they split the role of the tiger in two, literally. So I was the backhalf and the tail. And it was electrifying. Best butt of a tiger you ever did see. 

What is the best piece of advice about working in Theatre you have received?
I studied theatre at the Eugene O’Neill theater center, and one day, we were in conversation with Reed Birney. He told us he had been working in theater his entire life. He had never really gotten any recognition, but he was a working actor. No fame, no glitz, no glamour, but work. Mr. Birney explained to us that you have to take a good, hard look at yourself and decide if you are a lifer. And if you are: then all you have to do is outlast. Everyone else will steadily drop away and lose the drive and move on, but if you want to do this, all you have to do is outlast everyone else, and your moment will come. 2 years later, Reed Birney won his first Tony at age 62. He outlasted!

Have you been able to stay within a realistic budget for your production?

How have you raised funds to put your show on?
Lord, I wish. Every time you think you’ve done it, you need to order more flyers, or pay your tech, or get another prop, or see your therapist because you’re so overwhelmed you walked to work in your fluffy indoor slippers, again! Also, I’m terrible at math, so my budget looks like a bunch of hieroglyphics and a prayer. I am very lucky that art is my passion and my ultimate goal, but I also have a full-time job. And let me tell you, my matchmaking 9-5 paycheck is going straaaaaight into my Fringe funds.

Are you planning on seeing any shows this year? If so, do you have recommendations?
Heck yes! Last year, I saw 80 some-odd shows. This year, I’ll try to top it. My top recs right now include Max Davidson: Strangers – an unbelievable magic show that blows my mind every time I see it. And I’ve seen it a lot. I’m also dating him… and we met at Edinburgh Fringe last year… BUT I promise I’m not biased. I also think Couplet: Folk Marry Kill is hilarious and enlightening. My high school dance teacher, Kelli Edwards, is bringing a show as well: The Witches of Macbeth. And that’s what I love about Fringe! Who knew that 13 years later, I would be performing at the same festival as a teacher of mine. That rocks.

https://www.liv-thedream.com/about

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/olivia-raine-atwood-oops