In this series, get to know your 2010 Philly Fringe artists a little bit better. Meet the woman behind—and sometimes in or on—the apparatus:

Name: Karen A. Fuhrman, Artistic Director of Grounded Aerial.

Age: 36.

Where do you live now? New York City.

Where were you born? Princeton, N.J.

What’s your show title? Insectinside.

What was the first thing you stole? Nail polish.

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage? Mojitos.

What was the last performance you saw? Memphis

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
Sell my soul on Wall Street.

Do you have pets? If so, what are their names?
Yep. Panda—she’s a cat.

If you weren’t an artist, what would your job be?
Lady of the night.

After the jump, meet some of Insectinside‘s cast:

Name: Marissa Maislen.

Age: 21.

Where do you live now? Washington Heights, New York.

Where were you born? Cape Cod, Mass.

What was the first thing you stole? Bubble tape.

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage? Lychee Mojito.

What was the last performance you saw?
Lang Lang perform at the Great Lawn.

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
Nothing, but I’ve done something terrible things for no money . . .

Who’s your favorite Phillies player?
Hate the Phillies. GO METS!!!

What’s your least favorite country, and why?
I don’t hate countries, I hate the politicians or religious radicals that end up running those countries.

Do you have pets?
Yes, two dogs named Willow and Dickens, and two cats named Isis and Frodo.

If you weren’t an artist, what would your job be?
A scuba dive instructor.

Name: Christophe Morabito.

Age: 24.

Where do you live now? New York, NY.

Where were you born? Baltimore.

What was the first thing you stole? Jewelry, in kindergarten.

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Rum, or an international Sauvignon Blanc.

What was the last performance you saw?
La Cage Aux Folles on Broadway.

What’s your favorite Philly intersection?
Broad & Walnut. I’m biased, being an alumnus of The University of the Arts. Or, 18th & Walnut at Rittenhouse Square.

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money? Lied.

Do you have relatives more famous than you?
There is a famous luxury leather goods company in Europe called Morabito.

What’s your least favorite country, and why? Afghanistan (enough said).

Do you own a gun? If so, have you fired it in anger?
No, I believe in gun control like the British.

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA?
A homeless guy with his pants all the way down, commando, smelling horrid.

Name: Heather Hammond.

Age: Probably the oldest in the cast.

Where do you live now? New York City.

Where were you born? Montreal.

What was the first thing you stole?
I was about 8, and contemplating stealing a chocolate bar at the pharmacy, till my dad came around the corner of the aisle and introduced me to his friend—the undercover security guard!!!

What was the last performance you saw?
Jeep’s PowerPoint Presentation on Partnering at the Hot Queer Festival at Dixon Place.

Do you have relatives more famous than you? Who are they?
On a local level, My deceased uncle was famous in Regina, Saskatchewan, for being the owner of Audio Warehouse, Regina’s first and largest music store. And my cousin Shelley Case (daughter of deceased uncle described above) is author of The Gluten Free Diet and has been on the Today Show with Katie Couric.

Do you have pets?
Tiger, a 7-lb poodle/yorkie mix. The cutest.

If you weren’t an artist, what would your job be?
I’m a relief pharmacist in another part of my life.

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA?
Don’t know what septa is.

Name: Julia Wilkins.

Age: 34.

Where do you live now? Brooklyn.

Where were you born? Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

What was the first thing you stole?
A piece of salt water taffy—I nearly threw it up, I was so riddled with guilt!

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Hmmmm, Bourbon? Or is it wine? Or a high-end Reposado Tequila?

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
Promotion work at an Old Navy.

Who’s your favorite Phillies player?
No clue. Which sport is that?

Do you have relatives more famous than you?
My uncle, William Parker, the free jazz bassist.

What’s your least favorite country, and why?
You kidding? Who cares. Welcome to the incredible Planet Earth!!!

Do you own a gun? If so, have you fired it in anger?
No. thank goodness.

Do you have pets?
Yes, his name is Io. He is a cat.

If you weren’t an artist, what would your job be?
I have no capacity to comprehend my life not as an artist . . . hmmm, a scientist? A business woman who makes mad loot?!

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA?
What’s SEPTA?

Name: Alisa Fendley.

Age: 21.

Where do you live now? Queens.

Where were you born? Albuquerque.

What was the first thing you stole?
Dance clothes from the lost and found. I don’t think I’ve ever stolen from a store intentionally.
What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Any bottle of cheap liquor passed around a campfire with old friends under a starry sky.

What was the last performance you saw?
Sunday Brunch at The Rover Soho, and the same day, Pilobolus.

What’s your favorite Philly intersection?
I’ve only been to Philly twice but I like the intersection by the Natural History Museum where my baby cousin had the best birthday party.

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
I once jumped in a Mr. Softee truck in the middle of the night when a strange ice-cream man offered me minimum wage and free ice-cream to help him sell soft-serve. Good thing he wasn’t a kidnapper.

Do you have relatives more famous than you?
My dad is one of the most well known piano players in New Mexico and I’m really proud of him. His name is Sid Fendley.

Do you own a gun? If so, have you fired it in anger?
Do water guns count?

Do you have pets?
Yep, two Labradors named Carly and Lucy. I also used to have goats and lizards when I was younger.

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA?
I’ve never seen any of it but I once saw someone throw up into a clear cup on the subway in NY and almost jumped out of the moving train to escape.

Insectinside runs Friday, September 10 through Sunday, September 12, times vary. Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 5900A Greene Street, Germantown, Philadelphia. $18.

–Nicholas Gilewicz

Photos courtesy of the artists.