Past Projects

One Man, One Truly Crappy Year, and One Humorous, Real Exploration of What Really Matters Most
After a devastating year – losing both parents within 8 months of each other, and then his home in the Woolsey fire – Ker attempts to rise from the ashes and celebrate life with renewed enthusiasm and determination.
This one-person-show is a comic reevaluation of what’s really important in life. It’s about holding onto humor, hope, and trusting that something bigger is at play, even in the midst of tragedy.
Ker finds humor where most would not – death, depression, Alzheimer’s, parenting a teen while caretaking his own parents, and losing everything in the most devastating wildfire to hit Los Angeles in two decades.
Despite its tough subject matter, “Birthday” is a true celebration of life…and might even have you dancing on your way out of the theater.
runtime: 80 minutes
We are offering a discount code 50% off.
Password: birthday


MICHAEL KER – WRITER & PERFORMER

Writer, Director & Producer, & Storyteller, Michael Ker (who went under “David Baer” for his early projects) has developed films for producers, Tucker Tooley (“The Fighter”, “Don Jon”), Vincent Newman (“We’re the Millers”) & Hunt Lowry ( “Donnie Darko”).  He wrote. directed NO INSURANCE, staring Ivana Milicevic & Kyle Gass (“Tenacious D”), the film NEVER DATE AN ACTRESS, starring Oscar nom, Naomi Watts & his film ANGRYMAN took a Prize at Slamdance, and was the catalyst behind getting Michael a first-look deal with M.T.V.  His short film, THE SLEEPY COUNT, (a father/son story), staring Nathan Keyes, (“A Critically Endangered Species”) was acquired by Gaiam as part of their Spiritual Cinema series.
As a writer, the feature film BROKEN VESSELS he co-wrote, won the “Audience Award” for “Best Film” at the L.A. Film Festival, was nominated for a British Independent Film Award and an official selection at the Toronto Film Festival.
He recently sold a WIDE OPEN a one-hour-pilot to NBC-Universal, about a quiet Malibu neighborhood that has it’s ecosystem upended after a sober living home opens up on the block, which he is also attached as an Executive Producer, alongside Stephen Chao. Michael has executive produced TV series for A&E, ABC Family & MTV.

 

He is also a proud father, MOTH Story Slam winner & avid surfer who will be nowhere near his computer when the waves are good.
JESSICA LYNN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR & DEVELOPER 
Jessica Lynn Johnson (Director and Developer) is a published playwright, recipient of BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST AWARD, Board Member of the LA Women’s Theatre Festival, Director for Whitefire Theatre’s SOLOFEST, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC. Jessica works as a full time Director & Developer of solo theatre having aided in the development of over 100 solo shows (and still going strong)! As a performer, Jessica has “edu-tained” international audiences touring her own 25 character one person shows ZE and OBLIVIOUS TO EVERYONE for over 15 years. Over the years, Jessica’s projects have taken home awards such as TOP OF FRINGE, HFF ENCORE PRODUCER AWARDS, TVOLUTION BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE, LARRY CORNWALL AWARD FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE & several other accolades! Jessica was most recently nominated Female Director of Distinction in Theatre by Girl Trip LLC at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival. She is honored to collaborate on this wonderful show! www.JessicaLynnJohnson.com.
MICHAEL DAVID KER | WRITER & PERFORMER
Writer, Director & Producer, & Storyteller, Michael Ker (who went under “David Baer” for his early projects) is deeply immersed in the storytelling community. He’s been invited to perform at many storytelling shows around town and has his own show, “Shame On Sunday”, where Michael tells humorous shame-filled stories, along with special guests that have included Beth Lapides, Moses Storm, and Moon Zappa.
As a screenwriter, he developed films for producers, Tucker Tooley (“The Fighter”, “Don Jon”), Vincent Newman (“We’re the Millers”) & Hunt Lowry ( “Donnie Darko”).  He wrote & directed NO INSURANCE, staring Ivana Milicevic & Kyle Gass (“Tenacious D”), the film NEVER DATE AN ACTRESS, starring Oscar nom, Naomi Watts & his film ANGRYMAN took a Prize at Slamdance.
He recently sold WIDE OPEN, a one-hour-pilot to NBC-Universal, about a quiet Malibu neighborhood that has it’s ecosystem upended after a sober living home opens up on the block, which he is also attached as an Executive Producer, alongside Stephen Chao.
He is currently finishing “The Wolfgirl Journal”, a YA novel that is being turned into a musical, and a play called “You Don’t Know Her Like I Did”, a Mother/Son story, wherein the first half a single mother raises her son under tough circumstances and the second half, forty years later, the mother gets Alzheimer’s and the roles reverse.

 

Michael David is a proud father, MOTH Story Slam winner & avid surfer who will be nowhere near his computer when the waves are good.
Instagram: @birthdayfringe
RACHEL BENNISH | PRODUCER
Rachel Bennish is a comedian, actress and storyteller herself with a knack for producing and supporting local performers and artists. She’s had the pleasure of producing a comedy benefit show for the Midnight Mission homeless shelter, monthly free movie nights in DTLA, and recently Tears, Joy and Hope! A musical performance of Yiddish Songs written in the Jewish Ghetto. Rachel had the pleasure of meeting Michael Ker in a writing workshop in LA and was immediately entranced with his storytelling, honest humor, and authenticity as a performer and writer.

BIRTHDAY at SOLOFEST 2020!

Location:

Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

Whitefire Theatre

13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA, USA