She Magazine Feature
May 2010
By Denise Warner
Q & A with Elvira Kurt
Being a native of Canada, do you find you have to change your material when you go back to perform to give it a more Maple-flavor?
I’m pretty hardcore so every time I go back I make sure I pet a beaver.
What’s this I hear about no caffeine? How do you handle over 300 shows, including college acts, writing stints and being a correspondent on CTV without caffeine?
Did I mention the beavers? Petting them is very energizing.
What’s been the most challenging part of your career?
Same as everybody else’s: dealing with all the bullsh*t.
How difficult is it to be in a relationship with such a constant traveling, time consuming job?
The trick is to have a relationship in every town I play in. It sounds exhausting but keeping it simple helps. For example, all the women must have the same name so I never make an embarrassing mistake. Which reminds me: Hi Jenny! See you soon!
You’ve done television, theater, film and writing, which do you feel most comfortable doing?
TV has the best meals, theater has the best hours, film has the best crews and writing has the best comraderie. Talk about Sophie’s Choice.
How hands-on are you with the business of comedy? For instance, your website is adorable…did you have a hand in designing it?
My four year old has more business sense than I do. I need an array of wranglers to make sure I ask for money and get paid. I had an ex who called me ‘Babyhead.’ It’s pretty accurate.
Have you ever been asked to change anything about yourself…or your act? If so, what was your response or thoughts?
In the U.S., I’ve been asked to be less gay. In Canada, I’ve been asked to take less pay.
If you had free reign, an endless budget, and could get any talent to work with…what would you create?
It’s a tie between world peace and re-making The L Word with actual lesbians.
You’ve been a part of just about every annual, traditional, legendary lesbian event out there- is there any one that’s a personal favorite—for whatever reason?
My heart belongs in the woods of Michigan.
Last but not least, you will be in Florida for Aqua Girl in May. What can our readers expect and what are your plans while visiting South Florida?
Get out there and put some Aqua in you Girl! Or Girl in your Aqua! That also happens to be my ‘To Do’ list for this trip.
What do you think are the key components in putting together a successful comedy special?
Two things: #1) Be funny and #2) See #1.
Catch Elvira’s show on Friday, May 14th, during Aqua Girl, Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road at 8 – 10pm.
