Today, we’re excited to introduce the world to the band’s newest robot: Toast!
Toast will be joining fellow robots Zer0 and The Spine, backing musicians Lacey Johnson and Astrud Aurelia, and Walter Workers Chelsea, Camille, and Gabi on stage for the remainder of the band’s 2026 performances, throughout 2027, and into the foreseeable future.
Toast is performed Eliana Payne (they/them), a professional clown and movement artist with additional experience in musical theater who has worked all over the country for circus companies, professional theaters, and theme parks.
They have a degree in theatre from San Diego State university and graduated from the Pro-Track program at the San Diego Circus Center in clowning, under the tutelage of Jean-Luc Martin. Eliana also studied under the mime Jerry Hager in San Diego at Grossmont College, taking Mr. Hager’s very last mime class before he retired. Fans of the band may recognize Jerry Hager’s name, as Steam Powered Giraffe members David Bennett (The Spine), Isabella Bennett (Rabbit), Bryan Barbarin (Zer0), Erin Burke (Upgrade), and Jon Sprague (The Jon) all studied mime under him as well.
While in San Diego they originated the female roll of Biffy, a physical comedian and clown previously performed by men, in Sea World San Diego’s various Sea Lion and Otter shows.
Now based in Chicago, Eliana continues to seek out work that challenges both their physical abilities and emotional range. As their mime teacher, Jerry Hager, once said: “As you grow, your art must change with you.”
Steam Powered Giraffe is thrilled to have Toast join the band and we can’t wait to share their amazing talents with you all at our upcoming concerts AND in our new songs and music videos!
Eliana Payne premieres as our new robot Toast for the remainder of this year’s shows! Special thanks to Sam Luke for bringing Hatchworth back to the stage and filling in after Isabella Bennett stepped down as Rabbit while we got our newest robot up to speed! To read more about Isabella Bennett’s departure please see our public post over on our Patreon here.
Toast’s first shows with the band will be:
September 30th, 2026 – City Winery Boston | Boston, MA (SOLD OUT)
October 1st, 2026 – The Webster | Hartford, CT
October 3rd, 2026 – City Winery Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA (SOLD OUT)
October 23rd, 2026 – Herbst Theatre | San Francisco, CA
November 21st, 2026 – Center Theater (CCAE)| Escondido, CA
Watch our new music video, a cover by Steam Powered Giraffe of the song “Pink Pony Club” written by Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (Chappell Roan) and Daniel Nigro and originally performed by Chappell Roan!
