Meet Maria Gnoza | Writer & Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Gnoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your show?
So, my solo show (THE IDITAROD) is about a young woman who finds out she ate her twin in the womb. She freaks out thinking she’s a murderer and decides to pursue her lifelong dream of racing in the Iditarod – that famous sled dog race in Alaska.

I love solo shows that are personal and intimate, where the performer or writer or whoever is very clearly at the center. But for, I’ve noticed I feel the most honest when I’m writing about what I’m feeling through an absurdist point of view. I knew I wanted to write about the guilt that comes from being separated from loved ones. I try to have a question to go back to, so the north star for this was, “What should we feel guilt for vs. what do we feel guilt for?” Then I kinda work backwards. What character would struggle with that question the most? And what’s the worst news she could receive? Then what else do I want to accomplish just in terms of the visuals? I loved the idea of the, you know, Alaskan terrain and all the lights and sound effects I could build around this sort of ethereal place. And of course, what’s gonna be the most fun to perform. I love comedy, obviously, but I especially love something that can feel layered and a little dark here. I like to get the audience involved – and onstage when I can. So, it really is just stupid fun thing to perform. And watch I hope.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up around Kansas City, and I really didn’t know anybody when I first moved out to LA. I had accepted a full-time job as a “Mailroom Clerk” and had no idea what that meant. I found my apartment on Craigslist and my roommate on Facebook. So that’s what I’m most proud of is, like – I knew before moving here that there was this big creative machine that I wanted to be apart of, so so badly. And now it’s been 3 years and I’m still here and I’m actually in it – at least somewhat. I love doing improv and comedy. And writing and performing my material alongside all my talented friends. I love to make people laugh – it’s when I feel the most useful and sincere. So being here in LA, that just kind of exploded. I kept waiting for someone to be like, “Okay you’ve had your fun. Go home now, Miss Kansas.” And instead, I had all these wonderful people chanting, “One of us.” So, I feel like I became really comfortable embracing who I am and what I love. Because there’s this whole community of creators out here I’d never experienced before. I felt totally free to admit like, okay, I’m a writer. I’m a performer. I’m gonna get funnier and better and we’re all gonna have a good time while we leave the theater at midnight. I just want to create my stuff forever. And I’m not even getting paid for it now, so I think the odds of me continuing are pretty good.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my gosh, okay. I’ll usually take my friends to an improv show at the Upright Citizens Brigade (see The Big Team if you can). Then, dinner at Sushi Stop – I owe them my life. Then, the Griffith Observatory at night. And during the day, I’m a huge fan of walking around the Manhattan Beach area. Doing the free aquarium then spending all my money at The Kettle in that little downtown area. So excellent. And whenever I have friends in town I try to make room for a Malibu day by Point Dume with a hike through Solstice Canyon. Ugh. I could go on forever.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All my improv babes, specifically from my teams STOP THAT MAN and CUTER IN PERSON. We all met through the Upright Citizens Brigade – they’re the funniest people alive. And also wickedly talented. And mega attractive.

Website: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10626

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcgnoza1/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gnoza-b39b5a19a/

Other: My personal website: https://www.mariagnoza.com/

Image Credits
Dimitra Skouras (@dimitraskouras) – CUTER IN PERSON, a Los Angeles based improv team