Solo Arts Heal
Hosted by Gail Schickele
Wednesday, Jun 10 | 7:30 PDT
Bob Brader | Smoker
Written & Performed by Bob Brader
Directed & Developed by Suzanne Bachner
Lighting Design by Katie Chai
Projection Design by Chris Kateff
Technical Direction by Emily Venezia
Graphic Design by Michael Koch
Video Production by Shar Adrias
Show Description
Have you ever had to give up something you LOVE?
Solo Performer Bob Brader will be with us LIVE with his director Suzanne Bachner and hypnotherapist (and solo artist) Frank Oden. Hypnotherapy is how Bob Brader quit smoking
Smoker is Bob Brader’s acclaimed solo comedy about his 28-year love affair with smoking. As Bob tries to break up with his first love: “those sweet Camel lights” he realizes all the complex connections he has through smoking: how it helped him through a turbulent childhood, created jobs, opportunities and community, and one particular connection almost too precious to let go. At once hilarious and cautionary, Smoker is pertinent for anyone who has ever experienced an addiction; substance or otherwise.
Acclaim for Smoker
★★★★★ Critics’ Choice”Smoker is Smooth and Satisfying!”
All About Solo
“Brader is a dynamic storyteller…we’re hooked!”
Winnipeg Free Press
“Bob Brader’s autobiographical, eloquent and entertaining solo play Smoker is a solid addition to the literary genre exploring the mystique and fetishization of smoking cigarettes.”
Theater Scene
“A more endearing and genuine performer than Bob Brader would be hard to find indeed. Don’t miss this unique, highly entertaining, first-class show!”
Hi Drama
“Bob Brader’s Smoker is the Standout Performance…His autobiographical storytelling style and stage presence has more honesty than I’ve seen in a long while…In Brader’s tale love conquers all. A Winner!”
New York Theatre Wire
Artist Biography
Bob Brader is an award-winning writer, actor and monologist. His trio of totally true solo shows: Spitting In The Face Of The Devil, Preparation Hex and Smoker have toured all over the U.S. and Canada winning multiple awards and critical and audience acclaim. Spitting In The Face Of The Devil, Bob’s gripping story of personal survival and triumph, won 7 Best of Awards including Best Show of the London Fringe and Best Script and Best Encore at the United Solo Theatre Festival and has raised both funds and awareness for its many nonprofit partners across North America. Bob’s new retelling of the story on the RISK! Podcast was called by RISK! creator and host Kevin Allison: “An absolute stunner. Bob Brader’s story ‘Spitting in the Face Of The Devil’ is one of our best episodes ever.” Bob is currently working on the book.
Smoker won the Best Autobiographical Show Award at its world premiere on Theatre Row as part of United Solo and went on to receive rave reviews during its Canadian tour and NYC runs. Smoker has partnered with many nonprofit organizations including Safe Horizon, the American Cancer Society, and the Canadian Lung Association. Bob also performed Smoker as part of a nine-month stint with LifeStage, Inc. as part of their Smoking Cessation Series.
Bob trained with the Stella Adler Conservatory at the Tisch School of the Arts and is a member of the United Solo Academy, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild and is the Executive Director of JMTC Theatre. Smoker is Bob’s solo comedy about his 28 year love affair with smoking and how they broke up. As he tries to leave his first love: “those sweet Camel lights” Bob realizes all the complex connections he has through smoking: how it helped him through a turbulent childhood, created jobs, opportunities and community, and one particular connection almost too precious to let go. At once hilarious and cautionary, Smoker tackles addiction, childhood trauma, family bonds and romantic love in a way that is undeniably universally resonant. The London Free Press proclaimed: “Smoker is Addictive Theatre: It’s 80 minutes that feels like 30, a feat few actors have the talent to pull off…compelling theatre fueled by Brader’s masterful storytelling and acting talent, a show that must not be missed!”
www.spittinginthefaceofthedevil.com • www.smokertheplay.com •
www.circletheplay.com • www.JMTCTheatre.com
After 30 years of heavy tobacco and marijuana use (including countless failed attempts to quit), Frank Oden visited a hypnotist and immediately quit smoking…easily!
Embarking on a new-found quest to understand exactly what had happened, he pursued a late-life degree in behavioral psychology and became a Registered Psychotherapist, a Clinical Tobacco Treatment Provider, a Positive Psychology Health and Well-Being Coach, an NLP Master Trainer and a Board Certified Hypnotherapist. In private practice since 2005, he has helped thousands of individual smokers kick the habit easily without medications or products of any kind, and conducted hundreds of live public seminars and webinars for groups of all sizes. All you have to change is your mind!
Solo performers present real-life, empowering stories. Transformative experiences for audiences. A theater of resilience that celebrates overcoming mental and physical life challenges and offers hope and inspiration. SOLO ARTS HEALS will include excerpts, talkbacks, and Q&A that provide education and advocacy. Readings or clips of performances will be shared by artists in conversation with Gail Schickele, whose work as a manager and producer of solo artists inspired collaboration of performing arts presenters with artists on a medical track based on their personal experience. The collective creative vision? To help communities through educational outreach and the healing power of the Arts.
