Meet Kerrilee Gore | Writer/Creator/Producer

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

Hi Kerrilee, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a former performer and a person who loves to create shows, I realized how super challenging it is for an artist to afford to rent a theatre or space without compromising their art. Often theaters are union, which I greatly respect, however, if you are developing a new concept or are new to the art world, it is virtually impossible to afford to put on a show with the union restrictions. Even non-union venues can be prohibitively expensive.

I wanted to create a space that would provide the artist with lighting, sound, seating, and a marley dance floor. In black canvas spaces, this is often something that the artist has to bring in themselves and is an additional cost. The goal of my business is to allow them to make a profit, or at least prevent them making a large financial loss. This was the main objective for me creating “The Black Box.” www.theblackboxsb.com

“The Black Box Theatre” is a boutique theatre that showcases original works that are unique and eccentric and eclectic. I am hoping that this model allows the artists to be free with their creativity and helps them think even more outside the box.

I have also partnered with local non profits and often donate the space for causes I believe in. I also allow other artists to use the space for philanthropic causes and for their art at a discounted rate or as a donation.

“The Black Box” also holds dance classes, master classes, video shoots, photo shoots, and anything that is creative. It is simply a “black box” you can create your magic in. The seating is vintage settees and vintage furniture so that the atmosphere during shows feels like you are in someone’s cozy living room. I often play shows in a thrust. Upon entering you are greeted with a moody Neon sign that reads “Dreamers Welcome,” immediatley setting the tone for the vibe of the space. This fills my bucket as I am able to bring art to my community and share so many talented artists with it.

Being a writer/creator myself, “The Black Box” also provides a space for me to display works from my production company “Shimmy Shimmy Productions.”www.shimmyshimmyproductucions.com

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love to drive in my car and listen to strange moody music. Through music, I often think of a vignette and I begin to write a character in my mind. I love to make people a little uncomfortable, yet right at home at the same time. I love immersive theatre where the audience is very much a part of the show. I love everything that is dark, sexy, dreamy, and haunting. I am attracted to the dark. However, I definitely do love a little cheekiness as well and, of course, a big belly laugh. So far I have written three shows.

My first project is called “When The Lights Go Out.’ I wrote this show when I was on the road with my husband. It was the first time in my life I was not dancing or around my fellow performer friends. I felt lost. empty, and as my husband says wobbly.

Please see website for more information ***www.whenthelightsgooutshow.com**

“When The Lights Go Out” is a multimedia immersive theatrical experience with elements of cabaret, film, theatre, and acrobatics. The story is told through the eyes of a broken man who is grief stricken from the loss of a child. He seeks salvation at the Broken Dreams Motel. It is here where characters awake inside his mind. Each character represents a way the lights can go out in someone’s life. I like to say “It’s what happens in your dreams, between the sheets, and in the secrets that we keep.” The show has been a huge part of me I have become tremendously close with the cast over the years. It has evolved over 10 years, playing in various venues in SB and Ventura ( the last run at “The Black Box”) The original cast, the director, and choreographers have been alongside me the entire 10 years, helping to make it grow. I love all of them. Special Shoutout to Jason and Valeree Young from 8 & 1 Creative who have been my partners, choreographers, and directors on the project from the start.

In 2020 I wrote “Random Acts Of Madness” which was loosely based on things you do when you think no one is watching.

The most recent creative adventure I had the opportunity and privilege to embark on was something I am very proud of. I have two daughters (7 & 8). When we were on the road this summer we decided to write a play. I have always dabbled in dialogue in previous productions but it was not my main focus. Most of the my other projects are told through expression, acting, dance, and aerial. This time I had the itch to write more so we decided to write a proper play. “Stand By Mother, We are here.” Is a theatre show about the environment, mainly featuring children.

When a mysterious book is brought to life in the hands of a boy, he finds himself on a magical, musical adventure around the world- and learns he will play a vital role in saving it. Character come to life as the boy reads the book and teach a valuable lesson about saving the planet. The book is given to the boy by a half-man/half-child who has crossed over into “adult land” but returns to make sure he passes on the important information contained in the book to the main character who can then share it with all the children of the world.
Some of the characters are:
Lola the Love bug- queen of the warm and fuzzy feeling. She can only see a world where there is no war-only peace.
Trisha the Trash Girl- Diva of punk Junk who schools us on how to reduce reuse and recycle and stop using plastic
Talulah, The protector of the trees.
Willa and Winona the goddesses of water who teach us about the importance of conserving water

The stompping Sisters- who stomp out racism, oppression, and inequality. They will trample and pound their way till they create an earth where we are all seen as 1. One kind. Human kind.
Little Willow: teaches us to never judge and to be empathetic
and the list goes on!

Watching the children sparkle and grow as brave humans on stage was such a beautiful feeling! What none of us were prepared for was how people were so moved and overwhelmed with emotion by the message of the show. It ended up running 6 times as people kept requesting for it to be shown again

. We donated two of the shows to charities, “Community Environmental Council” and “The Glimmers Foundation. “ It has been suggested to try and publish the play and try to get it distributed in school systems as an option for a school play. I Haven’t gotten the time to look into it but it is on my list! However, creating something with my own children, watching it come to life, and then seeing all the children shine and evoke so much emotion in others was truly so rewarding. And to know the parents and other children watching took something home with them about taking care of our Mother Earth made it even better. The whole experience made my heart melt. Working with 20 children under 10 myself was challenging. I have always had so much respect for teachers but even more so now. They are saints 😉

I would not say I am wildly successful at anything, However, I am happy I get to do what I LOVE. I feel so lucky for that! I was never the best dancer, or may not be the best creator/writer and I am okay with that. Creating is what makes my soul and entire being happy and complete. I am nothing without it. I am lost. So I shall continue to create… as for me there is no life without it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would stay on the west side of Los Angeles. Perhaps at Shutters On the Beach in Santa Monica.

We would eat at Cafe Gratitude in Venice or Larchmont.
I would take them to Petite Ermitage to see one of my favorites Toledo and his incredible dancers and musicians perform.
I would reach out to all my friends like Leah Ficarola that perform burlesque and find out where they are performing that week and hit up those spots.
Maybe see if there is a jazz band, blues band, or burlesque show at Havelle’s in Santa Monica.
Go have a drink at my favorite LA bar “The Dime.”
I love to vintage shop so we would hit up Silverlake, Echo Park, Atwater Village area.
On Sunday we would visit Santer Alley.

I would take them to a Lisa Eaton barred class as I have never gotten to try it and it seems super fun and a unique experience.

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?
Living in Los Angeles for 8 years, I met so many dancers and artists that have inspired me greatly. Whether it was having the opportunity to perform alongside them, create with them, watch them perform, or now cast them in shows I create,…. I would not be where I am today without all of them and their incredible talents. This goes out to all the hustlers, the dreamers, the outcasts, the dark ones, the light ones, the weird ones. They are my people. The people whose souls and minds live in the shadows while their energy exists under a spot light. These people are the ones that will eternally inspire me with the way they bring their raw, passionate real selves to the table everyday. They make a promise to always keep their integrity in their art…and so shall I,

Website: www.shimmyshimmyproductions.com www.whenthelightsgooutshow.com www.theblackboxsb.com

Instagram: @kerriee_gore @whenthelightsgooutshow

Image Credits
Sending you them from my phone as I am on my computer now and they are not on here. Will send credit info with them as well. Pictures shot by Travis Shinn, Ira Meyer, Carly Otness