hyp·na·go·gia (hip-nä-gä-jiä): n. The brief transition between wakefulness and sleep wherein conscious thought is intermingled with random, sometimes surreal dream imagery, sounds, weird insights and unusual sensations. Also: hypnagogic hallucination, pre-dream condition and borderland state.

HYPNAGOGIA! is the first full-length show by sketch comedy veteran Josh Knisely. Using a series of vignettes inspired by or written entirely within a half-dream state, HYPNAGOGIA! is a sketch performance that ranges from the absurd and whimsical to the surreal and frightening.

***BREAKING NEWS***
4/13
Yaaaawn! *Snort* Huh? Oh yeah! After a long nap, HYPNAGOGIA! is back and performing at Sketchingham in Bellingham, Washington. This latest addition to the Sketchfest circuit is hosted by Bellingham's own Cody Rivers Show and we'll be sharing the bill with fellow absurdist comedy duo Ten West from L.A. This show will also mark our first performance with freshman memeber Terri Weagant! So make the trek north and catch HYPNAGOGIA!, still groggy from hibernation. Click here for the full information!

• HYPNAGOGIA! and Ten West @ Sketchingham
  • Thursday, April 20th, 8:00p
  • Friday, April 21st, 8:00p
  • Saturday, April 22nd, 8:00p

7/15
HYPNAGOGIA! has been accepted to perform at both Sketchfest Seattle and the Best of the Best Sketchfest (Aug. 19, 20) in Portland! If you're in either of these epic hubs of American comedy, come on by and check us out as we continue our 2005 US Tour!

• HYPNAGOGIA @ The Best of the Best Sketchfest
  • Friday, August 19th, 8:00
• HYPNAGOGIA! @ SketchFest Seattle
  • Thursday, Sept. 17th, 10:00
    (With the Cody Rivers Show!)
  • Friday, Sept. 18th, 8:00
    (With Fresh Meat NYC!)

6/13
We're back from our show at New York's Sketchfest NYC, and what a weekend it was! Not only did we meet some new friends and see some really good sketch, but we managed to garner some praise from some local comedy and community press - from the high-browed "More Bertolt Brecht than Saturday Night Live" (The Apiary) to the hilariously vague "That's Pretty Weird" (The Gawker). Thanks, Big Apple! We hope to be back soon!

CAST

Josh Knisely (writer, ensemble)
Josh has been writing/performing comedy in one form for over a decade. Since 1999 he's been the chief writer of Seattle sketch comedy group Some Kind of Cult with whom he's toured comedy festivals in Seattle, Chicago, Portland and San Francisco where they've opened for acts like Fred Willard and Dan Castinellata. His other writing Credits include NPR's Rewind with Bill Radke and HBO's Sketchpad. HYPNAGOGIA! is his first full-length show.

Cory Nealy (ensemble)
Cory is a long-time Seattle comedy veteran, and is a founding member of both the Up In Your Grill and Flaming Box of Stuff sketch comedy troupes. He has been performing locally and nationwide since 1995, and was a writer and performer on the short-lived television program The John Report with Bob.

Terri Weagant (ensemble)
Since 2002, Terri has been an active theater artist around the greater Seattle area. She has worked with such companies as Theater Schmeater, Consolidated Works, Capitol Hill Arts Center, The Island Players and Centerstage Theater. Hypnagogia! is Terri's first big leap into the world of sketch comedy. She is currently collaborating on her work sketch piece, MASCOT, with her comedy partner Rebecca M. Davis.

 

Crew

Kirk Anderson (managing producer, tech)
As often as Kirk claims he's going to quit comedy, you still can't find anyone in Seattle working as hard at it as a charter member of such legendary sketch groups as Bald Faced Lie, Flaming Box of Stuff, Maximum Impact Performance Squad, Kooterville and the concept band AWESOME.

Val Bush (production manager)
In addition to her duties as Sketchfest Seattle's Artistic Director, Val continues to be one of Seattle's most seen comedy personalities as a founding member of troupes like Up in Your Grill, Flaming Box of Stuff, Kooterville, having appeared on KIRO TV's The John Report with Bob and touring with her one-woman show Two-Finger Tango.

 

Show Info

We're currently working on our 2006 schedule. Please check back here soon!

 
Press Info

Press Release 4/22/05 ~ PDF, 253Kb
Cast/Crew Bios ~ PDF, 245Kb
Cast pics:
Color ~ JPG, 149Kb
Black & White ~ JPG, 145Kb
Logos:
Color ~ JPG 204Kb
Black & White ~ JPG 375Kb