Hey friend! 👋 It’s Rob. Thanks so much for dropping by my page.

By contributing to this campaign, you’re helping make Impostor, my interactive touring comedy show, as successful as it can be. To keep the funds raised, at least 80% of the goal must be reached, and every dollar goes directly toward the show, as outlined in the "Wishlist" tab. I’m incredibly grateful you’re here and for your support! ❤️

“Tonight, I’m inviting you to step inside my mind.” 🧠

Impostor is where the voices shaped by anxiety, self-doubt, and fear finally get to take the stage and discover they’re not impostors at all. Through a unique blend of comedic characters, music, and mind reading, this show transforms anxiety and self-doubt into something we can finally laugh at together.

The stage becomes a shared inner world where different parts of me show up, perform, and try to make sense of things in the only ways they know how.

Impostor is about facing and embracing the different parts of me that show up when it doesn’t feel safe to be fully myself, shaped by anxiety, self-doubt, and impostor syndrome.

Each of the four characters you’ll meet represents a real way I’ve experienced the world. Some try to be perfect. Some try to be experts. Some try to prove their worth by doing bigger and bolder things.

Over the course of the show, each of these characters takes turns stepping forward. Each one brings their own perspective, comedic voice, and way of interacting with the audience, creating a one-of-a-kind experience where the audience isn’t just watching the show. They’re part of it.

Through an extraordinary blend of comedic characters, original songs, and interactive mind reading magic (mentalism), the show explores what happens when all of those parts of me are finally given the spotlight.

By sharing this journey, I hope to give others a new way to laugh at what they carry and feel more permission to show up fully as themselves.

We’ve all heard of impostor syndrome. But did you know there are actually five different types?

1. The Natural Genius believes that if something doesn’t come easily, they must be a fraud.
2. The Expert believes they have to know everything before they’re allowed to act.
3. The Superhuman pushes themselves to work harder than others so they won't be exposed.
4. The Perfectionist believes any failure to meet their own high standards means they're a fraud
5. The Soloist believes only frauds ask for or accept help.

In Impostor, each of these types is embodied by one of the characters you’ll meet in the show.

So let me introduce them to you now!

Zephyr

The Natural Genius

Zephyr is the serious mentalist. Calm, confident, and seemingly effortless. He believes that if something doesn’t come easily, you don’t belong doing it. Certainty is his shield. Mystery is his language. Zephyr never appears to struggle, because struggle would mean weakness.

Shepard

The Expert

Shepard is an anxiety educator who sings original songs about anxiety. He believes that if you understand something deeply enough, it can’t hurt you. Knowledge gives him comfort. Preparation gives him control. His music is how he helps people navigate anxiety and self-doubt so they can fully show up and thrive.

Lyle

The Superhuman

Lyle is a Gen Z vlogger who constantly throws himself into bold, uncomfortable, and sometimes reckless situations he calls The Lyle Zone. He believes his worth has to be proven through extreme action. If he’s moving, pushing, and escalating, he’s winning. Standing still feels like the most dangerous thing of all.

Ferguson

The Perfectionist

Ferguson is the producer of the show, making sure everything runs on time and exactly as planned. He’s organized, earnest, and quietly overwhelmed. If everything stays perfectly under control, nothing can go wrong. Structure is safety. Order is protection. Mistakes feel catastrophic.

Rob

The Soloist

Rob is the one holding it all together. He’s the one putting on the (solo) show. He believes that asking for help means you’ve already failed. If he can just carry everything himself, no one will see how unsure he feels.

For over 15 years, I worked in the corporate world. I was lucky enough to work at places like Google, Amazon, and Disney. I cared deeply about those jobs. I worked hard and showed up. I really tried to do everything right.

Underneath all of that though, I was carrying a constant sense of anxiety, impostor syndrome, and self-doubt. I didn’t really know it or understand that at the time. I just knew I never quite felt like I belonged.

During that time, I learned how to be prepared, stay busy, and appear confident even when I wasn’t. Those strategies helped me function to a certain degree, but they also pulled me further away from myself.

Choosing a Different Path

About a year ago, I made the difficult decision to leave my dream full-time job at Disney behind. I didn’t have a clear roadmap (don’t tell my mom). What I did have was a pull toward performing, creating, and finally giving space to the parts of myself I’d kept in the background for years.

That decision wasn’t about running away from something (or someone… Mickey Mouse). It was about moving toward something that felt more honest and more me.

Leaning Fully Into Comedy and Performance

Since then, I’ve been deep in the advanced levels of The Groundlings Theatre program, developing characters, performing regularly at the school, and continuing to train with the goal of being invited to join The Sunday Company, where performers write and perform a brand-new sketch show every Sunday on The Groundlings’ main stage.

Groundlings has been a place where I’ve been able to explore comedy as both craft and community. It’s where many of the characters you’ll meet in Imposter began to take shape.

This part of my journey matters to me because I’m not just building a show. I’m building a career as a comedy performer, and I want people who support this campaign to feel like they’re investing in that longer journey too.

Letting Hidden Parts Step Forward

This past year, I also premiered my first comedy mind reading show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. It was my first time performing mentalism onstage, a part of myself I’d kept hidden for many years. I’m now preparing for an audition to become a Magician Member at the world-famous Magic Castle. It’s another stage I hope to bring these characters to one day. 🤞🏻

Why This Show Exists

Impostor brings all of these pieces together. By blending comedic characters, original music, and mind reading, the show turns something that once felt isolating into something shared, playful, and human.

At its heart, Impostor is a love letter to anxiety, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt. Not to get rid of them, but to meet them with humor, curiosity, and compassion. By bringing lightness to something that often feels heavy, the show is meant to spark joy, foster connection, and help people feel more equipped to show up and thrive.

Why Now

We’re living in a moment where anxiety and imposter syndrome are talked about more openly than ever, yet so many people still carry them quietly. Impostor exists now because people are craving connection, honesty, and experiences that let us laugh at what we’re holding instead of hiding it. This show is my way of meeting this moment with humor, humanity, and a reminder that we’re not alone.

Impostor has a confirmed preview performance date!

📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026

📍 The Cat’s Crawl, Los Angeles

I’m incredibly grateful to The Cat’s Crawl for awarding me an encore performance following my sold-out Hollywood Fringe run of Becoming in June 2025. As part of that award, the theater is being provided at no cost through a 50/50 ticket split, giving me the chance to bring this newly evolved show to a larger stage and take a real next step forward.

This campaign is about building the infrastructure to make Impostor tour-ready. The preview isn’t the finish line. It’s the moment where everything comes together so the show can keep going. So really, it's the starting line! 🏁

I’ve already booked a three-camera shoot with a director and videographer (which this campaign will help pay for), along with a photographer who shot my Fringe run. Capturing strong video and photo assets is a huge part of being able to continue performing this show, submit it to festivals, comedy venues, magic venues, and colleges, and ultimately take it on the road.

Impostor is written and actively in development. Right now, I’m workshopping new material around Los Angeles, refining sections of the show, gathering updated costumes, and continuing to build out the characters and mentalism routines.

Music is a huge part of this show. I’m actively writing and rehearsing original songs that live inside Imposter that help move the story forward. They explore anxiety and self-doubt through humor and play.

I’m working with a super talented arranger and producer to bring the music of Impostor to life. One of those songs, “Shiny Object,” was produced this year by the same collaborator and is featured in the show. That partnership has been a big part of shaping the sound and emotional arc of the piece.

One thing that’s been especially helpful in developing this show is taking the characters out into the real world and interacting with actual people. This has been invaluable not just for testing material, but for learning who these characters really are.

Most of what this campaign supports are one-time investments that unlock the ability to perform Imposter again and again. This isn’t about funding a single night. It’s about building the foundation that allows the show to tour, evolve, and keep reaching new audiences.

Your support helps make the show repeatable, sustainable, and shareable long after the preview.

Here’s what you’re helping build:

🎥 Video & Photography — $1,000

High-quality documentation of the preview performance. These assets are essential for submitting the show to festivals, theaters, comedy venues, magic venues, colleges, and universities, and for pitching the show as a touring piece.

🎬 Video Production (Show Interstitials) — $500

In-show video elements that are part of the storytelling.

• Studio rental
• Camera rental
• Camera operator
• Post-Production

These interstitials are a one-time production cost that becomes part of every future performance.

🎶 Music Production — $600

Arranging and producing the original songs featured in Impostor, including continued collaboration with my arranger and producer. The music is a core storytelling element of the show and is designed to live far beyond the preview.

🎭 Character Costumes & Wigs — $300

Wigs from Lili’s Wig Shop and thrifted character costumes from around LA to bring each character to life onstage.

🎩 Mentalism Props & Performance Gear — $350

Wigs from Lili’s Wig Shop and thrifted character costumes from around LA to bring each character to life onstage.

🧠 Rehearsal, Development & Prep — $250

Rehearsal space, continued development, and preparation leading up to the preview to make sure the show is fully ready for an audience and future bookings.

My $3,000 goal is the absolute bare minimum to present the preview performance.

If the campaign goes beyond that (and yes, I would be freaking out in the best way), here’s how additional support helps make Impostor even more tour-ready:

If I get to $3,500, I can put more resources into the video production for the in-show interstitials. This means higher production value, stronger visual storytelling, and better assets that live both inside the show and beyond it. These visuals become part of the world of Imposter and help elevate the experience for the audience.

If I get to $4,000, I can invest more deeply in music production. This allows me to work further with my arranger and producer to create release-ready versions of the songs from the show. It opens the door to distributing the music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and potentially releasing an EP connected to Imposter, so the music can live beyond the stage.

If I get to $4,500, I can invest in higher-quality costumes and mentalism props built to last. This includes upgrading effects, props, and practical tools like a headset microphone. These are the kinds of investments that make the show easier to perform, more adaptable to different venues, and more sustainable as a touring piece.

If I get to $6,000, I can bring in design support to create a stronger visual identity for Imposter. That means brand guidelines, graphics, and layouts that can be used across marketing, festival submissions, ticketing pages, and future tours. This helps the show present itself clearly and consistently wherever it goes next.

You can find more details about these items in the "Wishlist" tab.

There are a few simple ways you can support Imposter, and every single one of them makes a huge difference.

1. CONTRIBUTE & PLEDGE

You’ve already done half the work just by being here and reading this. Truly, thank you. If you’re able to contribute, even just a few dollars, it really helps move this show forward and build the foundation for what comes next.

2. FOLLOW & STAY CONNECTED

Following the campaign here and connecting with me on social media helps a ton. I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates, rehearsal clips, and moments from the development process as I work toward the preview performance.

https://www.instagram.com/robpolonsky

3. SHARE THE CAMPAIGN

Sharing this page is huge. It helps the show reach people who love supporting live theater and independent creators (I’m guessing that might be you 😎)

You can do this by:

• Hitting the Follow button on this campaign
• Sharing the link
• Posting, reposting, commenting, or tagging
• Or sending it directly to a friend who you think might connect with this work

Old-fashioned word of mouth counts too.

4. COME SEE THE SHOW

If you’re in Los Angeles, I would love nothing more than to share this show with you in person.

📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026

📍 The Cat’s Crawl, Los Angeles

🎟️ Grab Your Tickets Here! 🎟️

If you’re interested in joining the campaign, be sure to check out the Incentives tab. I’ve put together some fun, show-themed rewards at different pledge levels, so there’s something for everyone and every budget.

And if joining isn’t possible right now, I totally understand. Sharing the campaign is just as meaningful.

Thank you so much for being here, for taking the time to read this, and for supporting my journey. It truly means so much to have you in my corner.

Let’s do this thing. ❤️