About Delusions and Grandeur
A classically trained cellist, an improv trained comedian, and a seasoned performer, Karen Hall fuses her artforms together into a must-see, one-woman show contemplating perfectionism, expectations, and failure. After years in the pit, the symphony, and the background on some of the biggest venues in the United States, Karen and her cello take center stage for this idiot meets artistry, clown-fused recital you don't want to miss. Come for the music, stay for the existential crisis as you step into the world of this masterly jester.
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Delusions and Grandeur has toured internationally in Australia, Europe, and North America to audience and critical acclaim. It received the Solo Performance Award for 2024 Los Angeles Theater from Stage Raw and was profiled in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. It is truly a genre-bending show that has received awards and nominations in spoken word and storytelling, experimental theater, music, and solo performance and has performed in music halls and comedy clubs.
About Karen
Karen boasts a diverse resume having graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to behind the scenes work in studio sessions for everything from indie singer/songwriter albums to work on soundtracks for Emmy-nominated shows. In addition to performing in multiple commercials and tv shows, Karen most visibly spent four seasons on camera as the Cellist on the TV show Glee. She performs regularly with various symphony orchestras throughout the Los Angeles area and has worked with notable artists such as Shawn Mendes, Seal, and Yoshiki.
When she’s not being a serious classical musician, Karen can be found being ridiculous improvising and clowning on various comedy stages around Los Angeles. She has studied at Dell’Arte International, The Clown School, Groundlings, Second City, and trained in Idiot, Red Nose, and Jester work. She performs regularly with the clown troupe, “The Nonsemble” and tours her solo show, “Delusions and Grandeur”, a solo cello recital meets an Idiot show, which enjoyed a six-show, sold out run at Vancouver Fringe Festival. Everything Theatre UK gave it four stars writing, “her comic timing as impeccable as her playing.”
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Karen has now expanded into the world of production with her new company More Play Productions. After years of self producing solo work she is embarking on brining ensemble based clown and alternative music presentations to new venues and spaces because life deserves more play.