We had the good fortune of connecting with Billy Brandes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Billy, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have been performing in the improv scene for nearly a decade and after being given the opportunity to teach classes at Second Beat Improv Theater here in central Phoenix I had the idea of putting together a holiday sketch show at the end of 2023. That experience went above and beyond my expectations and afterwards folks were talking about already writing for the next year. It felt like we had tapped into something that was in need of exploring further. If for no other reason than it’s so incredibly fun and I’ve always wanted to do sketch comedy since I first discovered what it was way back when. So in the beginning of 2024 I founded the Buckaroo Lodge which has become my little bastion for such creative endeavors. It started out as a mix of both sketch shows and improv workshops/classes but has since shifted to solely focusing on local sketch comedy. We have such a talented and vibrant mix of people here in the valley and I’m looking forward to sharing and showcasing their creative work!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Ever since I was young I’ve kinda had an askew or random sense of humor. I found a lot of comedy in the details. And still do of course. Things that might get overlooked by the bigger more physical moments. When I got involved with improv it was kind of a happy accident in a way but it ended up changing my whole world. I never imagined I would be doing what I’m doing now with the Buckaroo back then. From seeing my first improv show in 2015 at the now defunct Torch Theatre to taking my first class and eventually graduating and being placed on a team… It has all felt so natural and surreal at the same time. I knew the moment I saw those people on stage that I had found my place. Like it just made sense. And now those folks are my pals. There has definitely been challenges as with anything in life but I found through perseverance and incredible support from our community that they have been so far reasonable to overcome. What I’m most proud of and excited about simultaneously is that our productions have been received well by our audiences and that people want to continue to create these shows as an ensemble. We have a solid, dedicated, and wide reaching cast to draw from and are always looking for more folks to join us. As we continue to shift into an unknown and murky future with art and expression my hope is that more and more people will return to live theater events. And the Buckaroo Lodge will be ready to greet them with a laugh.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh wow there’s so much to do! We’ll say this best friend visits when the weather is agreeable haha. I really enjoy live music so we may grab some food and catch a show at Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, the Van Buren, Rebel Lounge or another one of the valley’s many music venues. Tuesday nights I host pub trivia at Fate Brewing Co in Tempe so I’d probably drag them out for that after paying a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden for some natural AZ beauty and exercise. Then of course we would have to go pay Sam Haldiman a visit over at Second Beat Improv Theater and catch a show.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes absolutely. I have to give a big, huge, monumental shoutout to our local improv community! Second Beat, NCT, The Bridge, Monster… We have a tremendous improv network here in the valley and I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for them. And of course everyone that has supported the Buckaroo since it’s inception. All of the cast, crew, writers, audience members… Just everyone. Huge shoutout to all. It takes all of us to make these things work and I couldn’t do this without them and am very thankful. And to all the theaters that have hosted us.

Website: https://www.buckaroolodge.com/

Instagram: @buckaroolodge

Facebook: Buckaroo Lodge

Image Credits
Matt Francis
Jeremy Schwartz

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