Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alex Grelle Grelle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alex Grelle , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The Grelley Duvall Show has been the most meaningful project to me for the past ten years. GD is a pure distillation of my artistic vision. The Grelley Duvall Show is a revue style show that focuses on film parody and is a full blown marathon for me as a performer and producer. I sing (on key). I act. I dance. Sometimes…all at the same time. Grelley Duvall helps me escape from reality and my hope is to have the audience get the chance to escape as well.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I moved to the city of Chicago in the summer of 2009 and have been working here as a creative ever since. I started off in the Chicago storefront theater scene doing other companies productions until I started writing and producing my own projects in 2014. My work has been seen at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chopin Theatre, The Empty Bottle, Theatre on the Lake, Beauty Bar and The Hideout among others.

I describe my shows as obsessive homage-collage performances. My heartfelt, comedic spectacles gallivant through a wide range of media, including but never limited to live music, dance, sketch comedy, acting, puppetry and video. My shows are carefully curated to showcase performances and artists that have impacted my life in a profound way. I create theatrical stream-of-consciousness fever dreams, immersing the audience in a range of films and music from the gay canon. In a subversive undermining of patriarchy and heteronormativity, my practice highlights great female performances in cinema and androgynous icons from throughout history, all while rebelling against traditional gender roles and adamantly celebrating the gay community.

I am a self-produced artist. My process, while highly personal, is also deeply collaborative in nature. Each project features a large production team including designers, dancers, musicians, actors and other artists who work with me in a structure that often resembles a traditional ensemble company.

My work encourages people to break the heteronormative mold that is constantly being forced on them. I want to entertain people. I want to make audiences feel invited into the performance; to connect, to laugh, to be moved. I want to encourage people to become more buoyant and expressive in their everyday lives and be comfortable with their true forms whatever they may be.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Instagram has been such an incredible marketing tool. I’ve been able to advertise as well as document every single show I’ve done through Instagram. You have to pay close attention to the application. I get the sense that it doesn’t like you if you put it down for a while. The constant question is overcoming the algorithm. I think the algorithm unpredictable and unapologetic. There’s no telling what people are going to like, or what the best time of day is to post. You just have to keep interacting with the application and doing creative work that is important to you. Post and tag way. Be as active as you want to be on it. Take it or leave it.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The art of collaboration. There are so many artists all over the world that I get to interact and work with on the projects I create. A lot of my work is revue based so getting the chance to work with artists all over the spectrum is the biggest reward. I’m constantly pushing myself and I believe that the best way to do that is to work with fellow artists that inspire me and intimidate me. Constantly evolving is the goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/beerbatteredcod/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beerbatteredcod/
• Youtube: Coming Soon!
• Soundcloud: https://grelleyduvall.bandcamp.com/album/hello-im-grelley-duvall-2
• Other: https://grelleyduvall.bandcamp.com/album/hello-im-grelley-duvall-2

Image Credits

Photo 1 / Sarah Elizabeth Larson Photography
Photo 2 / Phillip Matthew Campbell
Photo 3 / Sarah Elizabeth Larson Photography
Photo 4 / Sarah Elizabeth Larson Photography
Photo 5 / Derrick Alexander
Photo 6 / Sarah Elizabeth Larson Photography
Photo 7 / Sarah Elizabeth Larson Photography
Photo 8 / Sarah Elizabeth Larson Photography