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Curtis Widem
email: curtisw0805@gmail.com |
Concept:
The Thing Machine - a custom-written comedy skit in a vending machine that advertises businesses and events and enlivens events as well.
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts. Major in Experimental Studio. Minor in English. University of Hartford. Cum Laude. |
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Recent Performances:
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Lower East Side Festival of the Arts - May 2011
- The 16th Annual celebration of the arts in NYC's Lower East Side, organized by the Theater for the New City.
- The Thing Machine was stationed in the theater's lobby on opening night to summarize the festival's schedule for festival-goers.
- Along with the handing out of festival brochures, dozens of attendees were given a quick, funny overview of what was awaiting them at the festival.
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CultureFest 2007 - October 2007
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Sunset Park BID - September 2007
- Advertised the Sunset Park Business Improvement District during their Annual Fifth Avenue Street Festival in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
- Employed to promote the SPBID's services and website during the festival.
- Attendees were educated on what the SPBID is, and how it makes Sunset Park an intriguing, safe and enticing place to live and visit.
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CultureFest 2006 - October 2006
- One of New York City's largest and most celebrated cultural events, featuring over 100 of NYC's major arts and cultural institutions.
- Hired by the Queens Economic Development Corporation for the second year in a row to help promote the borough of Queens.
- Stationed next to the QEDC tent, my skit promoted key attractions and reasons to visit Queens.
- From the skit and distribution of brochures and Queens website info., hundreds of people were informed and energized to visit Queens.
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Atlantic Antic - September 2006
- Brooklyn's largest street festival.
- Represented the Atlantic Avenue LDC to help promote the Antic's T-Shirt, excite people about the event, and hand out festival guides and Time Out New York brochures.
- From my skit, entitled: "Dr. Cool and the Attack of the Nerds!," the Antic T-Shirt was advertised, and the schedule and Time Out New York brochures were distributed to the enormous crowds.
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Riverfest - July 2006
- Hartford, CT's Annual Fourth of July Riverfront fireworks celebration.
- Hired by Hartford Stage to promote their SummerStage Summer Season. This was my fifth collaboration with Hartford's only Tony-winning theater.
- By performing at the entrance of the festival, hundreds of people were exposed and informed to what Hartford Stage had to offer for the Summer of 2006.
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Fifth Annual Women's Fair - June 2006
- A one day informative and entertaining celebration for women of all ages, presented by CBS Radio Hartford and Hartford Hospital.
- Performed at the entrance of the Fair to give summaries, schedules and get attendees educated and energized about the event.
- As a result, attendees were humorously instructed and stimulated about what to see and do at the fair.
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Lower East Side Festival of the Arts - May 2006
- The 11th Annual celebration of the arts in NYC's Lower East Side, organized by the Theater for the New City.
- The Thing Machine was stationed in the theater's lobby on opening night to summarize the festival's schedule for festival-goers.
- Along with the handing out of festival brochures, dozens of attendees were given a quick, funny overview of what was awaiting them at the festival.
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CPTV Family Science Expo - April 2006
- CPTV's 15th Annual science event that provides children with an experience to spark an enthusiasm for the sciences.
- The Metropolitan District Commission hired me to perform in their booth for two days to demonstrate how the sewer system works.
- My performances educated hundreds of families on the sewer system process, and proved how vital the MDC is to all our lives.
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First Night Hartford 2006 - December 2005
- During Hartford, CT's Annual New Year's Eve celebration, Hartford Stage hired me to promote their plays as they hosted family-oriented activities.
- In between the performances of an Irish fiddle player, I promoted the upcoming Eugene O'Neill play in a family-friendly, Irish-oriented skit.
- In between screenings of "Classic Comedy Reels," I promoted the Spring plays of 2006 so that both kids and adults were amused and intrigued.
- HSC's upcoming plays were advertised to dozens of First-Nighters in a kid-friendly, adult-pleasing manner.
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CultureFest 2005 - September 2005
- One of New York City's largest and most celebrated cultural events, featuring over 100 of NYC's major arts and cultural institutions.
- Hired by the Queens Economic Development Corporation to perform for both days of CultureFest to help promote the borough of Queens.
- Stationed next to the QEDC tent, my skit, "The Soccer Mom Showcase Game Show" promoted key attractions and reasons to visit Queens.
- From the skit and the distribution of brochures and Queens website info., hundreds of people were informed and energized to visit Queens.
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Boats, Books & Brushes with Taste - Sept 2005
- K & M Productions 5th Annual literary, art, maritime and food festival in New London, CT.
- Placed at the entrance of the festival, the Thing Machine informed and updated festival-goers to the activities and attractions taking place at the festival.
- As a result of the performance and the distribution of event programs, hundreds of people were informed and motivated to explore all the events and attractions at the festival.
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Riverfront Recapture - August 2005
- An organization that is restoring and promoting the Riverfront of the Hartford, Connecticut region. The Thing Machine was involved in Riverfront's Lunchtime Busking Program.
- The skit featured a variety of characters, including Billy the Art-Hater and Suzy the Art-Lover to encourage people to see art at museums.
- Lunch-goers were given some quick, funny reasons on why they should spend some time to visit a museum to expand their world.
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Secretary of the State's Office - August 2005
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Agenda Conference & Expo - March 2005
- Agenda Magazine's 6th Annual Conference & Expo for Meeting & Event Planners, held at the New York Marriott Marquis.
- The Thing Machine, stationed at an entrance, informed and entertained attendees about the featured events, speakers and activities taking place at the Expo.
- As a result, attendees were given a quick, fun overview of what to look forward to and expect at the Expo, and key participants and events were highlighted.
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Hartford Stage - December 2004
- Hartford's Tony-winning theater. I promoted their adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" during their "Santa Saturdays" at Hartford's Old State House. Performed for three Saturdays in a row.
- I performed as "Mr. Theater" - the every-person's guide to the world of theater, to show attendees that Hartford Stage's "A Christmas Carol" was the best family value for the holiday season.
- With my three performances during "Santa Saturdays," hundreds of potential theater-goers were informed of Hartford Stage's "A Christmas Carol".
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Oktoberfest - October 2004
- The 26th Annual Oktoberfest in Cambridge, MA, sponsored by the Harvard Square Businesss Association.
- I advertised HSBA's website by performing: "Attack of the Martha Stewart Zombies!" about a housewife who saves humanity from Martha Stewart Zombies after visiting harvardsquare.com.
- Hundreds of people were informed of the limitless fun and bargains to be had in Harvard Square by accessing harvardsquare.com's listings of shops, services, events and tourist information.
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Valley Advocate's Grand Band Slam - Sept 2004
- The Springfield area's largest alternative weekly newspaper. I promoted their annual Grand Band Slam, a block-long multi-genre music festival in downtown Springfield.
- Performed in the club district in Springfield, in order to attract the club-going crowd to the Slam.
- To inspire people to visit the Band Slam, our skit was about Rollo and Ignatz, who instead of listening to their MP3's - get out and enjoy the rockin' music at the band slam.
- As a result of my skit and the distribution of postcards, the Band Slam was advertised to dozens of club-goers.
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Taste of Northampton - August 2004
- Northampton Massachusetts' 11th Annual Food Festival.
- Working in conjunction with the Valley Advocate and the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, the Thing Machine promoted the Valley Advocate's Grand Band Slam.
- To prove how the Band Slam would appeal to everyone, I performed as Dr. Cool, who gives his patients a prescription to the Band Slam to fill their lives full of music and fun.
- The Band Slam was advertised to hundreds of people, who were shown that the Slam was the place to be for a rockin' good time.
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Hartford Advocate's Grand Band Slam - August 2004
- Hartford's largest alternative weekly newspaper. I advertised their 10th Annual Grand Band Slam, a multi-block, multi-genre music event in downtown Hartford.
- Performed in Old State House Square in Hartford during a lunch hour.
- My skit was about the Super Duper Super Hero Family, who discovers the Band Slam after trying to find a music event that will please them all.
- The skit informed Hartford's lunch-goers of the Band Slam, and the wide variety of music and fun times awaiting them there.
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Hartford Advocate's Grand Band Slam - July 2004
- Hartford's largest alternative weekly newspaper. I advertised their 10th Annual Grand Band Slam, a multi-block multi-genre music event in downtown Hartford.
- Performed in the club district in Hartford, in order to attract the club-going crowd to the Slam.
- My skit was about Rollo and Ignatz, who instead of listening to their MP3's, get out and enjoy the rockin' music at the band slam.
- As a result of our skit and the distribution of flyers, the Band Slam was advertised to dozens of club-goers.
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The Edge Fringe Festival - June 2004
- A two-week long cutting-edge arts festival produced in association with the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven, CT.
- During an Edge event, the Thing Machine advertised the Edge's "Music In The Street !" scheduled to take place the next week.
- I performed as Dr. Cool to show the audience that "Music In The Street !" had all the music, art & entertainment anyone would ever need.
- Helped by my skit and the distribution of flyers and website information, "Music In The Street !" was advertised to dozens of people in a few hours time.
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Taste of Hartford - June 2004
- Hartford's 22nd Annual celebration of food, music & entertainment.
- I promoted Hartford Stage - Hartford's Tony-winning theater to advertise their season.
- My skit was about how the Super Duper Super Hero Family takes a break from saving the world to soak up some culture at Hartford Stage.
- From my performance, festival-goers were shown the great cultural possibilities awaiting them at Hartford Stage.
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Mayfair - May 2004
- The 21st Annual Mayfair in Cambridge, MA, sponsored by the Harvard Square Business Association.
- I demonstrated how the HSBA website can invigorate people's lives by performing as Dr. Cool - The Doctor of Cool, who taught the audience how to be cool and lead a cool life by using harvardsquare.com.
- The crowd was informed of the limitless fun and bargains to be had in Harvard Square by accessing harvardsquare.com's listings of shops, services, events, and tourist information.
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Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum - December 2003
- The famed Frank Lloyd Wright-designed museum in New York City and one of the world's leading cultural institutions.
- I was part of the Guggenheim's Annual Family Holiday Party and was hired to promote the museum's after-school programs. My skit was about Timmy - the Clueless Teenager, who finds the confidence to try his luck in the art world after taking an after-school class at the Guggenheim.
- The skit informed the families of the many after-school programs that the museum has to offer and the countless and inspiring things that could be learned there.
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CBGB's - November 2003 ENCORE PERFORMANCE!!
- The legendary Rock 'N' Roll club in New York City.
- I promoted their website by telling the story of Billy, who is inspired to become a rock star after learning of CBGB's history and of the many legendary bands that got their start there; such as the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Tom Petty, Patti Smith and countless others.
- As a result, the audience learned that viewing the website was the next best thing to going to CBGB's itself, and a ideal way to visit their online store, view cybercasts, live streams and engage in CBGB's chat rooms, message boards and even sign up to receive email updates.
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Newbury Street and Back Bay Guide - Nov 2003
ENCORE PERFORMANCE!!
- The leading newspaper/website guide to culture and the arts in the Back Bay section of Boston.
- I became "Dr. Cool - The Doctor of Cool." He meets the Superduper Family, a family of superheroes bored with saving the world. Dr. Cool educates them on all that the Back Bay Guide has to offer - so that they'll get the most out of life and enjoy being superheroes once again.
- As a result, people (and the Superduper Family) were informed of the Back Bay Guide's website and their helpful articles, tips, contests and events listings.
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CBGB's - October 2003
- The legendary Rock 'N' Roll club in New York City.
- I promoted their website by telling the story of Billy, who is inspired to become a rock star after learning of CBGB's history and of the many legendary bands that got their start there; such as the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Tom Petty, Patti Smith and countless others.
- As a result, the audience learned that viewing the website was the next best thing to going to CBGB's itself, and a ideal way to visit their online store, view cybercasts, live streams and engage in CBGB's chat rooms, message boards and even sign up to receive email updates.
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Oktoberfest - October 2003
- The 25th Annual Oktoberfest in Cambridge, MA, sponsored by the Harvard Square Business Association; and the Thing Machine's fourth performance for them.
- I promoted how the HSBA website can enliven people's lives by having Dr. Cool - The Doctor of Cool, show the Superduper Superhero Family that life is more than just stopping mad scientists and wayward asteroids by using harvardsquare.com.
- The audience (and the Superdupers) were informed of harvardsquare.com's services, events listings, shops and tourism information.
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Boston Event Guide - September 2003
- The most comprehensive website for young professionals in the Boston area to find information about local happenings, VIP Parties and Special Events.
- To promote their website, I performed: "Your Girlfriend Just Dumped You! - The Gameshow for the Broken-Hearted." The skit featured contestants who took on life-threatening stunts to find true love, only to discover that BEG is the smartest way to find exciting social events and romance.
- The skit informed the audience of the dozens of BEG's services, such as interactive events listings; club, restaurant & bar scene info, email events updates, meet your match, contests and countless other ways to improve your social life.
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Bostonfashion.com - August 2003
- The only website covering everything about modeling in Boston.
- My skit was about Brenda The Beautiful Person who wants to be a model. She's helped by Fabrizio - World-Famous Hand Model. He uses Bostonfashion.com to guide her through the ins and outs of modeling in Boston.
- Bostonfashion.com's website was advertised to dozens of people who were shown how helpful BFC is if you want to be a model or be part of the modeling scene in Boston.
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Newbury Street and Back Bay Guide - July 2003
- The leading newspaper/website guide to fashion, culture and the arts in the Back Bay section of Boston.
- I became "Dr. Cool - The Doctor of Cool." He meets the Superduper Family, a family of superheroes bored with saving the world. Dr. Cool educates them on all that the Back Bay Guide has to offer - so that they'll get the most out of life and enjoy being superheroes once again.
- As a result, people (and the Superduper Family) were informed of the Back Bay Guide's helpful articles, tips, contests and events listings.
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Mayfair - May 2003
- The 20th Annual Mayfair in Cambridge, MA. sponsored by the Harvard Square Business Association.
- I promoted how the HSBA website can enrich people's lives, and the variety of attractions of the fair.
- My skit was about the Sputz family, who has nothing to entertain their guests with; so Billy, the Spaced-Out Teenager, finds exciting shops, services and events on the HSBA's website. I also portrayed Hank, the Rock N' Roll Dude, who keeps missing concerts; but once he finds the events listings on the HSBA's site, he's a new man.
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Hartford Stage - December 2002
- Hired by the Hartford Stage - Hartford's Tony-winning theatre to promote their adaption of "A Christmas Carol" and their theatre season.
- Performed for two days. Included in "Santa Saturdays," a family event in downtown Hartford where children could sit on Santa's lap & get their picture taken with him.
- To interest families into seeing the plays, I performed "Attack of the Boring Relatives!" About a family who repeats the same dull holiday routine for years - and how a visit to the Hartford Stage finally cures their boredom!
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Oktoberfest - October 2002
- The 24th Annual Oktoberfest in Cambridge, MA. sponsored by the Harvard Square Business Association.
- Advertised the HSBA's website and the events of Oktoberfest.
- To get the message across, I created a skit full of amusing characters - featuring Marge (a.k.a.) Supermom - who stopped an alien invasion with her tapioca pudding; and Mr. Meatloaf - President of The International Meatloaf Society.
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Cambridge River Fest - June 2002
- The 24th Annual Arts Festival hosted by the Cambridge Arts Council.
- Performed at intersection of J.F.K. Street and Memorial Drive to "capture" passers-by to visit the festival.
- To accomplish the job, I became "Captain Culture" - Superhero for the arts, whose adventures motivated people to attend the festival.
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Connecticut Historical Society - June 2002
- The Thing Machine's second year at CHS.
- Included in "Parade the Circle" - a family event.
- Informed the audience of all the fun and educational programs at CHS.
- Characters from the 2001 show reappeared:"Sid, the (Used) Time Machine Salesman," "Billy, the spaced-out teenager," and "Caveman Ug" to illustrate the excitement awaiting families at CHS.
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Mayfair - May 2002
- The 19th Annual Street Fair in Cambridge, MA sponsored by the Harvard Square Business Association.
- Hired to promote HSBA's website - specifically to inspire people to view the site to look up events in Harvard Square.
- Kid's Rides Moved! After many years of being in various locations, the kid's rides had been shifted to a central spot. I created a humorous skit informing families where to go.
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The Big E - September 2001
- A Multi-State New England Fair - over 80 years old.
- The Thing Machine's THIRD Big E.
- Performed in front of the "Connecticut Building" to promote the Connecticut Historical Society.
- CHS Brochures were placed nearby to take during the performance.
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New York International Fringe Festival - August 2001
- An avant-garde, cutting edge theater festival.
- Performed for two days.
- Part of the "Busking Bonanza" in Tompkins Square Park.
- Twenty-five street performers were involved.
- The Thing Machine advertised the Bonanza and the acts involved.
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17th Annual Charlestown Seafood Festival - August 2001
- A family-oriented festival in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
- Performed for two days
- Advertised all the events and activities.
- Created "Chef Louie" and "Frank - the Guy Who Hates Fish" characters to connect the show together.
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Connecticut Historical Society - June 2001
- Included in "Parade the Circle" - a family event.
- Informed the audience of CHS's Genealogical Library and how they could research their family tree.
- Created "Sid, the (Used) Time Machine Salesman," "Billy, the spaced-out teenager," and "Caveman Ug" to demonstrate different CHS programs.
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Film Fest New Haven - April 2001
- Promoted the films and the events of the day; advertised their sponsors-New Haven Film Fest.
- Set up on the New Haven Green to attract people who might not have known about the festival.
- Informed families of available kids activities.
- Lead character was "Melvin - the Guy Who Hates Movies."
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The Big E - September 2000
- Performed for two days.
- Set up in the "Connecticut Building" to promote State attractions and encourage tourism.
- Advertised the Peabody Museum and the Beardsley Zoo.
- Created "Mr. Question Man " and "Col. Fulnose -World-Famous Explorer" to enliven the show.
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Operation Sail 2000 Connecticut - July 2000
- A Multi-State Tall Ships Extravaganza to celebrate the New Millennium.
- I was hand-picked by the Connecticut Office of Tourism to perform.
- Performed for two days to promote places to visit in Connecticut.
- Promoted the Trolley Museum and the Beardsley Zoo.
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Bradley Airport - March 2000
- Set up at the Bradley Welcome Center - near the center of the airport.
- Advertised the Bradley Welcome Center and interesting places to visit near the airport.
- Encouraged visitors to pick up free Connecticut travel brochures in an effort to promote tourism.
- Skit included "Mr. Answer Man," and the heart-warming epic: "The Trials of Melvin."
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The Big E - October 1999
- Set up in the "Connecticut Building" to promote State attractions and encourage tourism.
- Promoted the Mark Twain House, Dinosaur State Park and the Discovery Museum.
- Created "Timmy - the Time Machine-building Fourth Grader," to act as a guide.
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Wadsworth Atheneum - March 1999
- Performed during March First Thursday - an "open house" day to attract new patrons.
- Advertised art "products" - i.e.: " Cubist Cornflakes," etc.
- Informed audience of the museum's children's programs.
- Advertised the Greater Hartford Arts Council's arts discount Dot Card.
- Handed out free Dot Card brochures.
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