Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Sedwick.
Hi Shannon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Austin to go to UT, majoring in theater, in 1968. I got involved with a theater company on campus, Curtain Theater, and met my husband, Michael Shelton, as we both worked on a musical show called Now the Revolution. We then both dropped out of school and started our own restaurant, Liberty Lunch, where we started doing theatrical “happenings” between the bands we booked. We got a chance to start a new space on Sixth Street that we called Esther’s Follies in 1977, and it was a runaway success! We have continued to enjoy huge crowds and fun casts of comedians until today, as we have a theater troupe known all over the country, with a signature window stage, so our audiences can see the show and the passersby are “part of the show”. Michael and I also continued to open restaurants and bars through the years, with the Tavern at 12th and Lamar going strong, Patsy’s Cafe (now closed after the pandemic), Phillies’ Diner (closed), The Velveeta Room (standup club still going strong), Buffalo Grille (closed), and Stars Cafe (open, and getting back to business after closing during the pandemic.) I am actively involved in downtown arts organizations and civic groups, such as the Downtown Austin Alliance, Pecan Street Association (that does the Pecan Street Festivals 2x a year), and Sixth Street Association.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a rollicking journey, as with any business or venture. Michael and I decided we would do it all ourselves and were able to have friends in the real estate business who helped us buy our building where Esther’s Follies is currently housed, which gave us stability. During the pandemic, no theater was able to open, and we had to really struggle to keep our cast of performers working. We started a Patreon subscription series, so our loyal fans could give us a monthly pledge and gathered 150 people sending us money to give our performers a stipend and a creative outlet to keep doing comedy. We also worked to get grants and even had to second mortgage our home and other property to keep money flowing. Whenever we hit an obstacle, we have been lucky to have such a big and happy comedy family of audiences and performers to give us relevance, and pitch in to help us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am first and foremost a performer. I love to sing and act. We had always had as our goal to become a contemporary vaudeville show, a musical theater with political satire as our basis. We added an amazing magician to our company, which was unique for a comedy show. We also wanted a big cast, with a connection to the community, diverse and able to write, perform and create our own space with sets, lights, and music. We are now recognized as the best comedy theater in the Southwest, after 40 plus years in the business, known all over the world, as our audiences are a mix of locals and tourists flocking to Austin. I have my signature character, Patsy Cline, which I do in every show, as well as my favorite characters that I have been lucky enough to do through the years – Ann Richards, Hilary Clinton, and many more. I am most proud of our cast working together so smoothly, with professional attitudes and synchronicity, making it possible for us to create new theater in short periods of time and get the news into the show each week as fast as it hits the media. We are consummate professionals, listening to each other and working together to make the best show possible every week.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We have a cast of 12 actors and actresses and a front staff of 12. We have a musical director, a sound and lights staff, and a writing staff of 4-6 people who contribute to our show each week. Our audience support is incredible, helping us financially through these hard times, and giving us feedback with great reviews on Google and Yelp.
Pricing:
- Show tickets $30-40 per person
- Buyouts on off nights $6000
- Groups of 45 or more Catering – see our website for prices
Contact Info:
- Email: tickets@esthersfollies.com
- Website: www.esthersfollies.com
