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Everything we do should come from a place of love.
That’s 34 West’s motto, anyway. If you’ve ever wanted a taste of what writer-owner-actors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne are all about then you should probably watch this recent 5 minute documentary by artist Nick Fancher, and see why the dynamic duo is so infectious (and wildly successful).
Our Creative Team hiking a mountain in Hollywood — a glorious metaphor.
We recently visited our Creative Team in West Hollywood to discuss updates on 34 West Films!
We’re developing our original stories for the screen. And so far, we’re having a blast!
Our short film LOVE POTION is racking up awards on the festival circuit. We’ve written the pilot episode for the story as well, along with a 10-episode arc. In addition, we’ve completed the script for our next short ARDEN HIGH, based off our sellout production of ADDICTED TO LOVE.
Each of these stories have a complete “universe” of lovable characters and conflicts. It doesn’t hurt that the original productions and their sequels were incredibly popular with multi-month sold out runs.
Our visit to Hollywood was highly productive and we’ll soon be pitching our wares to the masses…
However, the greatest part of our trip occurred when we least expected it…
We were staying at the Pendry Hotel in West Hollywood, which has a fabulous rooftop pool and bar. After realizing it was overcrowded, we resorted to the quiet little bar on the first floor. We chatted with a friendly man by the name of Donald Lee who just happens to be a producer on the film THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.
Jaw drop.
He’s produced an impressive roster of major motion pictures. Jeff, Becca, and Steve had the privilege of his company for an afternoon.
Moral of the story — you can try and keep up with the influencers at the rooftop pool or you can make friends with the real thing on the first floor.
Creators Jeff and Steve have had a full month, to say the least.
Our latest live show sold out the first four weeks, our short film hit the festival circuit, and our pilot episode is ready to pitch!
Actors-writers-directors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne — but why are their glasses empty??
March started with a bang (more like an explosion!) as their latest live comedy ADDICTED TO LOVE opened to riotous applause and reviews. “34 West is so on fire with Addicted” says Susan Van Bavel.
Querin and Wayne star in the fast-paced comedy along with veteran actor Becca Anderson, who recently took on a larger role at 34 West as Head of Casting and Social. Rounding out the cast is Rebecca René Kelley, who was last featured in the popular summer sellout STAYIN’ ALIVE.
“We’ve certainly found our lane,” states Querin, who co-wrote the production with Wayne. “Audiences are desperate for feel-good, underdog stories these days. This current ‘episode’ of our Arden High series is a delight.”
In the middle of tech rehearsals and opening night, our Creative Team was also submitting to dozens of short film festivals around the globe.
Based off our 2017 sellout production, LOVE POTION chronicles a zombie outbreak in a quaint 1950’s diner. Think Pleasantville meets Shaun of the Dead!
The short is already gaining the attention of a few industry execs, and more importantly, we’re accomplishing our goal of developing a “Films + TV” arm of 34 West.
Creative Team members Kristine Kuhlman, Ian Maddox, Becca Anderson, Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne
Our Creative Team is hard at work writing the pilot episode of LOVE POTION which will be pitched as a 10 episode series based off the 15-minute short film.
“There’s so much fun and backstory to these rich characters that we weren’t able to get into before,” says Querin. “It’s been a blast fleshing out these quirky, subversive personalities.”
34 West’s goal is to develop our live shows (and their follow-up “episodes”) into several different series for the screen.
Why?
Because the characters in each story are lovable outcasts. Unlikely heroes. They beat the odds. They find hope. They makes audiences feel-good and your mouth will hurt from smiling so long!
If you haven’t seen a live show, make you’re decisions soon. We tend to sellout sooner than later. Tickets are here.
If you want to follow our progress through the film festivals this year, you can follow us here on Twitter.
March was a crazy month. Can you imagine what April will be like???
Moments after an intense weekend of writing the latest show.
The owners are also the writers, directors, actors, bartenders and host. Are they insane??
Owner Jeff Querin serving our popular LEMON SPARKLE champagne cocktail.
And that’s just the night of the show.
We won’t even mention the countless administrative tasks during the week!
How do they not lose their mind? More importantly, how can they possibly give a memorable performance?
Writers + actors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018
Practice.
“Earlier on, our bartender couldn’t make it one night,” says Querin. “So Steve and I jumped behind the bar and started slinging wine and snacks before the show.”
“It instantly felt like a cocktail party,” states Jeff.
Actors Becca Anderson and Stephen Wayne in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018
Most actors wait in the wings. Some have a routine of meditation and quiet. Not these guys.
Jeff and Steve get to know you, solve any problems, make sure everyone in the room is seated and ready for the show.
Writers + actors Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018
And then they jump on stage and, remarkably, become different people.
"The key to multi-tasking is being fully committed,” say Wayne. “Literally <hahaha>.”
Actor Becca Anderson in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018
Surrounding themselves with talented people helps as well.
Actor Becca Anderson has performed numerous shows since 2015 and now heads Casting and Social Media, alongside her full-time day job!
It’s contagious!
Actors Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018
Compartmentalizing. That’s the key.
If you’re skiing down the slope, you don’t focus on the trees. You follow the snow.
Follow the path and your skills will carry you through…. usually.*
*Unless a transformer blows and the entire block loses electricity. But even then, we ended up doing the show by the light of the audiences’ phones (This actually happened!).
Owner Jeff Querin in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018
How is that even possible??
Actor/Writers Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin with Becca Anderson, Tabitha Ottiwell, Nakeisha Daniel and Nick Fancher.
An average of 4 shows a week. We opened in 2014. Started selling out in 2015. By the end of 2016, we were always full.
But there’s only three actors, you say. There’s barely a set, says they. No one has ever heard of these shows!
And that’s exactly why it works.
Actor writers Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin with John Black, 2017.
The short answer: Audiences want to see whatever is next.
They know it’ll be entertaining, compelling and completely hand-crafted from scratch just weeks before.
It helps that the owners are also the actors and the ones who seat you. They might even serve you a drink beforehand.
Where’s Stephen Wayne?
But there may also be a few key ingredients to selling out every show…
1) We treat each night like it’s our last.
2) Our actors care about the audience (i.e no divas aloud!).
3) The shows aren’t cynical. Life’s about redemption and second chances.
4) Story is key. The set may fall down but if the story is there, we can do anything.
5) We’re in downtown freakin’ Charleston. I mean, come on, y’all!
Maybe our streak will continue. Maybe not. That’s never been the priority.
All we care about is presenting an incredible show just for you. Hope to see you soon!
Actors/writers/Owners Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne with Becca Anderson, Tabitha Ottiwell, Rebecca René Kelley, Dylan Menges on confetti duty
