Beth Ott, co-founder of SocialHeart, shares lessons from improv, plans for Mardi Gras KC and more in this week’s Pitch Questionnaire
Name: Beth Ott
Occupation: Marketing specialist at Hoefer Wysocki Architecture and co-founder of SocialHeart
Hometown: Brazito, Missouri (south of Jeff City — you blink, you miss it).
Current neighborhood: Hyde Park
What I do: I love to keep busy. Between work and SocialHeart, I also serve on the board for Quixotic School of Performing Arts and as the sponsorship director for the KC Improv Festival.
What’s your addiction? Collecting buttons. Live music and comedy. Making people laugh. Kittens!
What’s your game? Avoiding laundry at all costs … eh, witty banter and comebacks. I love to get a reaction out of people I’ve just met.
What’s your drink? Boulevard Wheat or a glass of pinot grigio.
Where’s dinner? I love to try new things, so if you suggest a place, I’m in. And when I have a craving, be prepared. My local faves are Anton’s, Vietnam Café, Lulu’s, La Bodega, El Pueblito, Le Fou Frog and Hi-Dive Lounge. I’ve also been known to eat cereal or popcorn for dinner from time to time.
What’s on your KC postcard? The view of downtown from Liberty Memorial at sunset.
Finish this sentence: “Kansas City got it right when …” They started and continued revitalizing downtown. The awesome philanthropic events and community involvement. Craft beer. All the Sunday brunch options.
“Kansas City screwed up when …” They didn’t put any of the stadiums downtown. The airport being so far away from everything. Obviously public transportation would make these less of an issue.
“Kansas City needs …” Better schools in the urban core. A Target downtown-midtown. More wineries.
“In five years, I’ll be …” 36 and awesome! Continuing to grow SocialHeart’s efforts and our amazing board of directors. Hopefully traveling more and an actual published author. But still a ging …
“I always laugh at …” Farts and poop stories. (I grew up with a dad and a brother in construction, and dinner-table convos were never boring.) My own weird thoughts and random experiences. My kitty cat Snipes, aka Meatloaf.
“I can’t stop listening to …” I just got a new record player, so anything I currently have on vinyl: Avett Brothers, Jack White, Fleetwood Mac, JD McPherson, the Shins, the Beatles. Definitely another addiction in the making.
“I’ve been known to binge-watch …” Seinfeld, SNL, Sex and the City, TEDx Talks, Forensic Files.
“I just read …” The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall.
The best advice I ever got: “Yes. And.” I took improv classes for a couple of years, and this is the number one rule. Whatever your fellow improviser presents to you, instead of disagreeing with it, you accept it and add to the scene. I’ve truly applied it to life in general, and it’s been awesome. Saying yes is more powerful than no. Accept what you’re given and go forth, my friends!
Worst advice: Don’t break up with him; you’re almost 30.
My sidekick: My drink?
My dating triumph/tragedy: OkCupid — tragedy! I’ve never joined Tinder — triumph!
My brush with fame: I get to hang with the talented Paul F. Tompkins backstage and after-party each year when he’s in town for the KC Improv Festival. I shotgunned a beer with Colin Hanks at a Chiefs game once, and now he follows me on Twitter. Yeah, big-time stuff.
My 140-character soapbox: Take 10 minutes out of your day and watch “This Is Water,” a piece from a commencement speech by the late David Foster Wallace. Truly has changed the way I think.
What was the last thing you had to apologize for? Being too loud. It happens a lot.
Who’s sorry now? My high school guidance counselor. He only paid attention to the top 10.
My recent triumph: A couple of years ago, Social-Heart was discussing why KC doesn’t have a big Mardi Gras scene. So we decided to change that. After two years of gradually building this effort and raising $7,000 each year for local charities, we are teaming with the Power & Light District for Mardi Gras 2015. We’re so excited for this opportunity, and we plan to keep growing this event bigger and better each year so we can raise even more funds. This year will include a masquerade party, a street festival, a 5k race, a Cajun creole cookoff, live bands and more. Our goal is to add a parade in the future.
For more information on Mardi Gras 2015, see mardigraskc.com.
