Historic Richmond Town Partners with Chris O'Brien, of Ghost Tales, as Artist in Residency
Historic Richmond Town is proud to announce that Chris O’Brien is our first Artist in Residence. During his residency he will be using the historic spaces to create the podcast, The Richmond County Field Recording Society, a scripted historic comedy program that focuses on past week's in Staten Island's history. The podcast will be recorded LIVE at the historic Bennett House. The episodes will be available in the Spring of 2020!
Chris O’Brien’s connection to Historic Richmond Town started when he was a kid spending his summers in the Apprentice Program. As his professional career a comedian, writer, an interactive story teller blossomed he never forgot his roots on Staten Island at Historic Richmond Town. Last year he partnered with the organization to host Ghost Tales, a live, interactive variety show hosted by Chris featuring comedians, musicians, and artists telling true stories of life in New York City.
Ghost Tales harkens back to America’s much loved variety shows- think Ed Sullivan or Sunny and Cher, but with a modern bite and fresh look at art and culture in New York City’s most eclectic borough. Each set features five artists who share real life experiences, tell true stories of life on Staten Island and may even indulge the audience in a ghost tale or two! The show features many up and coming, as well as established, comedians, storytellers, musicians, artists, historians and community members. Ghost Tales have featured both staff and talent from Impractical Jokers, The Artie Lange Show, HBO's Crashing, along with comedians featured at such clubs as the Comedy Cellar. Also featured were established authors and artists like novelist Alex Gilvarry and local artist Magie Serpica. Along with this, the show features one musical talent, including former Capital Records songwriter, Kevin Devine.
Historic Richmond Town is honored to host Chris as he continues to explore his medium through the historic site. The Artist in Residence Program will be formalized in 2020, inviting other artists to participate.