Taran Killam – 5th Annual Future Artists Gala for LA County High School

By starrymag | April 22, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) You will be hosting the 5th Annual Future Artists Gala for LA County High School. What made this a “yes” for you?

 

A) The fact that LACHSA is a tuition free, public education for anyone passionate about pursuing a life in the arts is beyond impressive. If I can help give back to a school that set me up for success, I’m happy to do it.

 

Q) As co-host with Anthony Chappelle will you both be keeping your intro focused on the important of arts education or mixing in any current events/political humor?

 

A) I feel Andrew and my responsibility is to keep things entertaining, energized and moving. It’s the student performances and demonstrations that will best demonstrate the value of the education LACHSA provides.

 

Q) The gala will be showcasing performances of various genres. Will we be seeing you sharing double duty as host and performer?

 

A) If there’s a magician, I will volunteer immediately. I love magic! As far as I know, Andrew and I are there strictly as MCs. We may support the theater department’s demonstration as that was both Andrew and my focus there when we were students.

 

Q) Who are some of those who are performing that you’re most looking forward to watching?

 

A) All the demonstrations are always so moving and surprising in their caliber of quality. I’m very much looking forward to seeing Nick Lee perform.

 

Q) What can individuals do to get more involved in helping with arts education?

 

A) LACHSAFoundation.org is a great resource to direct people on how to support the school specifically. For those interested in supporting arts education who may not be in LACHSA’s immediate vicinity, I’d encourage people to Google local art education support. The obvious answer is to support directly through financial support, but if you can reach out to a school or program and donate time or supplies that’s always a huge helps as well. And it might be fun to do!

 

Q) We loved seeing you on “Saturday Night Live.” Who are some of the current cast members that stand out to you?

 

A) I’ll always have such appreciation for everyone who make it onto the show. Kenan [Thompson] is the GOAT, obvi. Kyle Mooney as always made me laugh like no one else can. I REALLY love Sarah Sherman’s dark twisted but joyous sensibilities. James Austin Johnson exploded onto the show in a way I don’t think I’ve seen. And Aristotle Athari’s “Angelo” is the best original character I’ve seen on the show in a long time. All the new additions seem really, really strong.

 

Q) We recently saw you on “Single Parents” and in “American Crime Story.” You seem to be able to seamlessly bounce between comedy and drama. Do you have a preference for the type of genre that you do?

 

A) I think there are different muscles that are satisfied by every different genre or tone. That all goes back to my training at LACHSA. One of my favorite all time classes was Stand Up comedy with Mr. Norman Cohen.  But I’m also incredibly proud of the work we did my Senior year in the musical program doing “Evita.” It’s the exposure to the variety of artistic materials that is such a phenomenal opportunity LACHSA provides.

 

Q) What are the other recent projects that you have coming up?

 

A) I just sold a show to FreeVee (formerly ImdbTV) that we’ll be announcing soon. And this summer I’m shooting a reimagining to The River Wild in Hungary.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do?

 

A) Thank you for the support! I’ll keep working hard to make you proud!