We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bridget Purdy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bridget below.
Bridget, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Coming from Louisiana, I’ve faced my fair share of hurricanes, and that’s what sparked the idea for my original play, “Hurricane Party.” While I’ve written many pieces over the years, I wanted to create something that could both entertain and offer a glimpse into the reality of living in a place constantly battered by natural disasters, all while adding a comedic touch. “Hurricane Party” tells the story of three old friends reuniting after almost a decade, just as a hurricane barrels into their town. What unfolds is a night filled with drinking, games, and unexpected revelations as they navigate the storm both outside and within. This lively comedy aims to find humor in the most unexpected of circumstances, with improvised moments ensuring that each performance offers a fresh experience for both characters and the audience. Set to debut at the Hollywood Fringe this June, with showings on June 9th at 2 pm, June 15th at 10:30 pm, and June 30th at 8:30 pm, all at The Broadwater Second Stage (6320 Santa Monica Blvd). I invite you to come and join in on the fun. If you can’t make it, please consider supporting us by donating or checking out our merchandise store. Keep up with the party on Instagram @hurricane.party.play for updates and exclusive content.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Bridget Purdy, and I have known that I wanted to pursue a career in comedy since I was just 15 years old. I always felt like I had a different perspective and outlook on the world. I love being positive and cheering people up. I was an avid theater kid as well as a cheerleader, which still honestly describes my personality today. When I went to college, I decided to continue my passion for comedy by transferring from a smaller school in New Orleans to the art school of Columbia College Chicago to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Comedy Writing and Performance. I completed the Second City comedy studies program, where many comedy legends have studied. I met a cute boy while I was in Chicago who told me about the magic and wonders of Hollywood, whom I later followed out to LA for a TV development internship. Once in LA, I fell in love. I fell in love with the city, the entertainment industry, and that boy, Nick Phillippi. Flash forward 5 years, and we’re happily married, living in Brentwood, and just started our very own production company, Gumball Machine.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I have been pursuing the dream of comedy for 12 years now, despite encountering numerous physical, financial, and emotional battles. One of the most challenging struggles I’ve faced is dealing with endometriosis. For those unfamiliar, it’s a chronic disease characterized by tissue similar to the lining of the uterus growing outside the uterus, leading to pelvic pain, infertility, inflammation, and potential impact beyond the pelvic area. I have suffered from this condition since I was 12 years old, and throughout my adolescent years, its severity only worsened. One of the greatest difficulties with endometriosis is its diagnosis, as the only definitive method is through laparoscopic surgery. Fortunately, due to familial history and multiple surgeries among female relatives, I was aware of my condition from a young age. The pain became so severe that I relied on multiple doses of Tylenol during menstruation, which eventually led to further complications. I sought relief through birth control which was only temporary until the emotional distress got the best of me. The choice between waking up mentally unstable, doubting every action and word, or waking up in excruciating pain should not be one anyone faces. Eventually, the emotional toll became unbearable, leading me to opt for surgery. I am finally experiencing normalcy. Throughout this ordeal, I persisted in pursuing production jobs, writing sketches and scripts, and performing around Los Angeles. As my best friend, Victoria Roux, aptly put it, “Bridget is the epitome of resilience. She has faced countless battles with grace and strength unmatched by any other. Her resilience has been a constant inspiration throughout our long friendship.”
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Social Media is a great tool to find more artists’ shows whether that be an art show, a play, or festivals. I would say go on a date to a theatre show because we need your support, especially in a city like LA you don’t know who you could be watching perform improv in a small theatre here and who they might turn out to be. That’s part of the fun in it, is that you are seeing the next generation of upcoming artists, whether that’s online or in person.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yousopurdy/
Image Credits
Tandem photo and Nicholas Phillippi (the cute boy)