Freak Pony

The improvisers of Freak Pony are true to their name: so majestic and strong that it’s almost freaky! With unique senses of humor and infectious energy, these women use longform improv to showcase their talents and the fact that they can all pull off the jumpsuit look. Each Freak Pony show hosts a variety of guest performers, so keep your eyes peeled to see who might be joining the cast for the next show!

MEET THE CAST:

Becky Hughes, Ensemble
Becky moved to the Nashville area at the tender age of 3 and hasn't figured out how to leave. She performs regularly in her basement apartment and at Third Coast with the lovely ladies of Freak Pony. She cannot be captured on film, so please, no pictures.

Courtney Fairall, Ensemble
Courtney is a Third Coast Training Center graduate and has performed in longform shows Leone!, The Lab, and Here. She also produces and performs in Soap Opera, another longform show that draws inspiration from the eponymous genre. She lives in Madison with husband and veteran improviser Dan and very hilarious children Henry and Harriet, along with two annoying cats, Mr. Kitties and Puff.

Dana Daniele, Ensemble
Dana Jean Daniele is an American actress. Often described as the "best actress of her generation," Daniele is particularly known for her versatility and accents. Her accolades include a record 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three, and a record 32 Golden Globe Award nominations, winning nine. Just kidding, she wishes she was Meryl Streep.

Heather Magann, Ensemble
Heather is a menace and an absolute freak. A Louisiana native who enjoys doing improv and making a scene with the other femmes in Freak Pony. She got her improv start in Belmont’s one and only sketch and improv group, Fall Follies. In addition to Freak Pony, she is also currently a member of the very bad but deliciously good Danger Junior. She’s got an old soul, like probably 80-85 years old. So she really enjoys baking and taking long naps too.

Jessica Farmer, Ensemble
Jessica Farmer is thrilled to be a new Pony and has performed with The Lab at the Third Coast in the past. A Nashville native, Jessica spent time in Chicago and performed on the iO Harold team, Lionelle. Previously she spent time in NYC and performed on the Magnet Theater team, Beatta. She’s studied improv with lots of fabulous New York and Chicago people and is forever grateful for those experiences. Presently, she creates Pre-Kindergarten curriculum, teaches yoga, walks her dog, hugs her cat, and adores her nephews. Jessica believes in the spirit of improv and is over-the-moon happy to have the space to play at Third Coast.

Katy Hennen, Ensemble
Like most children, Katy started playing make-believe at a young age, specializing in such creative characters as “sister” and “Hermione Granger.” However, unlike most of her peers, Katy never outgrew this pastime. She likes to think her younger self would be impressed that she has learned how to play more than two characters, and has somehow found a way to get people to pay for what she used to do at home for free.

Libby Genz, Ensemble
Libby has been saying stupid things to her mirror for as long as she can remember, and is very grateful to have stumbled upon Third Coast, where she gets to say stupid things to other people and call it “improv.” Libby moved to Nashville in 2008 to attend Belmont University and stayed [was too lazy to move] after graduation, but she will always be a St. Louis gal at heart. You can see her performing with Freak Pony, and you can hear her on true crime podcast Murder She Joked.

Mary Claire Reynolds, Ensemble
Mary Claire grew up in Nashville, so it’s unsurprising that her first professional acting gig at age 14 was playing a mermaid in a country music video. Many moons later, she got her start in live improv while she was in Chicago for a commercial casting & decided to sign up for a Second City intensive on a whim. Hooked, Mary Claire went on to train at UCB Theatre in Los Angeles. While in LA, she performed with her long form team Bacon Marmalade all over town including the iO West and the Clubhouse stages. Upon her return to Nashville, she jumped into all the improv she could find and now she’s super excited to be playing the Third Coast stage with Freak Pony and Gnu Tales. When Mary Claire is not on stage, she can be found chasing her two preschool age daughters around and/or staring into an empty mug, wondering why the coffee’s already all gone. And she always double knots her sneakers.

Mary Elizabeth Roberts, Ensemble
Mary Elizabeth is a native Nashvillian and an all-around cool girl hottie. She first started doing improv in high school, forcing her closest theater friends to create a troupe with her. Now, she can be seen on stage at Third Coast Comedy Club with Freak Pony and Carol. You can also find her chugging hot coffee or yelling at strangers about her love of the 1982 classic film Annie.

Shannon Clark, Ensemble
Shannon Clark began her improv journey as a member of the Third Coast Training Centers inaugural graduating class. Since that time she has played and performed with the Third Coast Comedy Show, LOL Nashville, Crash!, Life in Mono, Infinity etc, and Freak Pony! When she’s not on stage she can be found lounging in the sun like a lizard, trying to explain how this exact moment is kinda like this TV show she’s been watching, or plotting out what she’s going to cook for dinner. Anyways, enjoy the show and tip your bartenders!