Eastland Academy was established in October of 2007 when two motivated comediennes found themselves looking for just the right opportunity to write and perform sketch comedy. Shelley had first seen Frayn perform 13 years ago with Seattle Theater Sports and thought she was hilarious. In 2007, they were introduced through a mutual friend and Shelley freaked out. Frayn then saw Shelley perform with Portland’s improv faves, The Liberators, and felt positive feelings. The first time performing together as Eastland Academy- as well as their first time performing together ever- took place on December 14, 2007 at 10:00 pm at the Miracle Theater in Portland, OR. It went well. The audience seemed to enjoy themselves, too.
Website
eastlndacademypdx.com
Influences
David Sedaris, Freaks and Geeks, Kids in the Hall, The Coen Brothers, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Wes Anderson, Rogers and Hammerstein, Bob Fosse, Keeping Up Appearances, This Is Spinal Tap, I Love Lucy, Look Around You, Sid and Marty Kroft, and books
Shelley McLendon- The Liberators (Portland, OR), Comedy Sportz (Portland, OR)
Films
Shelley has appeared in:
"Tooth and Nail" (Cinema Syndicate), 2006 Grand Prize Winner of the 48 Hour Film Festival, and "Love and Sappiness," (Cinema Syndicate) 2007 Portland City Winner for the 48 Hour Film Festival; "Time Bike," (John Breen, Dir.)
Albums
Shelley WISHES she could have somehow appeared on following albums:
Gaucho by Steely Dan
Night and Day by Joe Jackson
Skylarking by XTC
Whammy by The B52’s
