Disappearing acts

A look inside Pop- Up Magazine’s Escape Issue with Producer/ Host, Marin Cogan

Have you ever had that sense of pleasure and privilege after stumbling upon a unique experience you- without a doubt- have to be present for? Well, that’s exactly how I felt when I came across an Ad on Instagram for Pop- Up Magazine. My first thought was, “How in the world have I missed out on this?”. Satisfyingly relieved, my second thought was, “I can’t wait to go!”. It didn’t take much for me to get hooked on the idea of a magazine issue adapted for a stage and live audience. Even better: art, graphics, live performance, and an original score accompany the stories told on stage. This year, Pop- Up Magazine is doing its first themed tour with its Escape Issue. What better way to be introduced to Pop- Up Magazine!?

After seeing the Ad, I knew I needed more and this was a must share with you all. I quickly sent an email. Victoria Chow, Pop- Up Magazine and The California Sunday Magazine’s Communications Director responded. Talk about an unexpected surprise! Not only did she respond, but she graciously offered me the opportunity to ask DC- based Producer/Host, Marin Cogan, a few questions.

Marin Cogan, is an award- winning journalist based in DC. She has been a Contributing Editor for New York Magazine and has written for several publications including The Washington Post, Politico, and Esquire. Needless to say, it was an honor to have my child-like curiosities entertained.

Check out her responses to a few of my burning questions. Cogan shares her thoughts on the enticing topic of Escape, the talented storytellers featured in the DC Pop- Up, and more!

1.  As an experienced journalist, what attracted you most about the opportunity to produce/host Pop-Up Magazine?

I was a performer in Pop-Up Magazine in 2017. It was right after Trump was inaugurated, and I was thinking a lot about how I wanted to tell stories in the Trump era. It was so thrilling to me to see how the show mixed music, art, and journalism. I also loved that Pop-Up featured voices and perspectives you often don’t hear elsewhere in the media. It felt new, and vital, and fun. After going on tour with them the first time, I wanted in.

2.  What do you think are the most important elements of a compelling story?  What makes the stories of the Escape issue so compelling? Without spilling all the beans, can you share a few things the DC audience can look forward to seeing, hearing, and/or feeling?

I think the most surprising stories feature interesting characters, teach the audience something new, and make them feel something. Since Pop-Up Magazine stories are told on stage in front of a live audience, we want to make sure they're informative. Like a general-interest magazine, most of our stories are reported, visually interesting (behind the storyteller is a large screen that plays original photography, artwork, animation, or film), and surprising. 

Normally, our shows cover a range of different topics, but The Escape Issue is our first themed tour. The Escape theme feels relevant to today's world–we're all looking for a way to escape, from politics, from the Internet, from negativity, maybe even from ourselves. The stories in this show will be funny, and heartbreaking, and will tackle everything from memes and animal escapes to the criminal justice system. 

The storytellers in our D.C. show are a special group, and include the wonderful comedians Jo Firestone (who was recently in Hulu's Shrill), Jordan Carlos (writer for HBO's Divorce and the host of WNYC's podcast Adulting), and Chris Duffy (writer for Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas). We'll also hear stories from musician Left at London, poet Sarah Kay (founder of Project VOICE), writers Clio Chang (frequent writer for Jezebel and The New Republic), Waymond Hall, and Keri Blakinger (Houston Chronicle), plus prepare for a couple of stunning photo essays from photographers Lucas Foglia and Lisette Poole.

3.  Why was DC chosen as a stop on the Pop-Up Magazine tour?  What makes bringing Pop-Up Magazine to DC different from other cities?

We tour the country three times a year and go to a lot of different places, but there are four places we go on every single tour: DC, NYC, LA, and the Bay. DC matters a lot to us! It’s my home city, and it has such vibrant arts, theater, and music scenes. It’s a city of engaged and passionate people. It’s kind of a perfect match for Pop-Up.

 While we don’t always have local contributors, we’ll have a local host! In the past we’ve had some great contributors who live in DC, including The Washington Post’s Alexandra Petri and The Atlantic’s Vann Newkirk, and Marc Bamuthi Joseph, of the Kennedy Center. We’re looking for great, untold stories that can come alive on stage. And I’m always looking to get more DC people in the show, so if anyone sees the show and has an idea, they should get in touch!

4.  How does your background and your style as a journalist contribute to production of the Pop Up Magazine?

Writing magazine features really helped me develop a sense of how to structure a story. But I’ve learned so much from working with people who are amazingly talented and have other skill sets: art directors and musicians and filmmakers and audio pros and lighting experts and technicians. They’re the people who really make Pop-Up magical, and different from other live shows.

5. What is your favorite part about being able to work on this project in the city you're based in?

As someone who’s lived here for over a decade, and knows how the city gets a bad rap from people who don’t live here, I always feel so much love for this city when I step out on stage at The Lincoln or The Warner. The people that live here are what make this city great, and I always feel so lucky to share what we work on with them.

6.  What connects you most to the city of Washington, DC?

The people, 100%. Also: good food, free museums, and the best rooftops in America.

7. On a day off, with perfect weather, and limitless spending, describe how you'd spend a day in the city?

All-day rooftop pool party, followed by dinner somewhere extravagant. Drinks at The Green Zone in Adams Morgan.