Our next contestant:

Thomas Snout

What role do you represent in the Mechanicals?

The ray of hope. I am the only sensible man within a 20-cubit radius around these weirdoes and I take great pride in that. And I do magic.

What is your occupation outside of the Mechanicals?

My official title is Tinker. I started out mending pots and pans. That was fine, until I met one Jonathan Potts. When you see over 20 chamber pots in one day, you tend to lose your interest in the job. I then moved on to do pretty much everything. That is, until I got bored. Now I’m with the Mechanicals, and I can’t really see myself getting bored.

Who inspires your performances?

Whoever it is in the first row that rolls their eyes the most. They’re looking for an anchor, a sane beam in sun of insanity. That’s me. I hope I make a difference to that person.

The Man Behind the Madness

Adam Gastonguay

How did you get involved with the Mechanicals?

I latched on to the coattails of Andi. It was pretty easy. All I had to do was marry her and I was in the show. Strangely enough, the choice was not that hard to make.

What kind of performance background do you have?

My resume looks a bit like a Jackson Pollack painting. I took a handful of theatre classes in high school and college. Did some stage-managing. Took a handful of improv workshops with the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (again, riding Andi’s coattails). Took a handful of stage combat workshops. Been a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians for a handful of years; learned a handful of tricks. Started contact juggling a few years back (with Andi, notice a trend yet?), picked up throw juggling with contacts I made through the contact juggling. Basically I have quite a few handfuls of experience coupled with a thimbleful of talent and the right contacts to be part of this wonderful group.

Whose comedy inspires you the most?

Richard Mooney, Jill Wentzel, Dan Wentzel, and Andi Gastonguay. Oh, and Colin Mockery.

How long have you been a Mechanical?

Since 2006. I’m the new guy.

What is your favorite Mechanical Memory?

When two of our members were out and we still managed to put on Romeo & Juliet with me playing at least 3 of the parts. I had no idea what my lines were, but somehow everything came out perfectly.