Saturday night, I had a show in lower New Jersey. The organization was holding their annual fund raising banquet and I was hired to close the show with a 45 minute comedy set. There was a lot of great talent on the bill, excellent singing, piano playing, guitars and even a saxophone quartet. I did what I usually do before a show, went into my shell and watched the audience to determine the best method of connecting with them.
Comedy can be a subjective creature. What is funny to one audience can fall flat on the next. It is important to be able to read the crowd and adjust the show to them. This was a very mixed audience, from young teen to senior citizen - about 200 in all. That makes the job even more difficult since you have a wide variety of humor levels to contend with. Younger audiences want the hipper comedy they see on TV - the older crowd tends to revel in the style of great comedians of the past.
To make a long story short - the evening ended with a standing ovation. I was truly honored. They have already scheduled my show for 2010 - so I have some huge expectations to meet on a completely different program. This morning, I received an e-mail from a member of the board:
"I am still hearing (and probably will continue to do so for a while) how great your show was!
When we spoke back stage (in reality – back kitchen), I told you how I had hyped up the act to ticket buyers because I was so impressed by what I had seen on the internet and you said you hoped you could live up to my words (modest for a performer, I like that). Oh my gosh, everything that you did was funny, entertaining and amazing all rolled into one! You “WOWED” the audience!
Thanks so much for making it one of the best shows ever! Selling tickets for next year’s show will be a cake walk thanks to you."
Rhonda Gage
Board of Directors
In truth, I want to thank them and every organization, individual and corporation that has ever hired me. Because of you, I get to earn a living doing something I love - making people laugh!
THANKS!
Showing posts with label show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label show. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Crafty Owl?
I've always considered myself an artist. When not performing, I still have the need to create. Between shows I used to carve - and for those of you not familiar with that aspect of my life, please feel free to visit CRafty OWL.
During my shift from magic to vent, there was a time I seriously considered giving up performance to concentrate on carving. I could be at home with the family, not have to deal with non-appreciative audiences, there were a lot of benefits. But I couldn't do it - I needed the fix of being in front of a laughing crowd.
Crafty Owl became a significant sideline for me, but due to the number of shows this year, I haven't had time to carve. I have been planning on scaling back my art shows, and life was made much simpler on Friday. Which brings me to the point of this blog:
The second weekend in October has traditionally been held for Colorfest in Thurmont, MD. It is one of my biggest arts & crafts shows of each year. I go out, set up a booth and meet with people who collect my carvings. Every year I add a few new collectors to my list. The income is usually substantial - but this year, as Colorfest runs, I am sitting here in my office typing.
When I went to set up my booth Friday, I found the organizers had laid out the lot out of order. After years of being established in an area - they wanted me to set up in an area that was not thought out - pedestrian traffic would have been minimal. Because the booth numbers were completely removed from the regular flow - my collectors would have had trouble finding me - if they could at all. I tried to appeal to the lot coordinator - but her response was indignant - she could or would do nothing for me. I was a client and their customer service was severely lacking. At that point, I walked away.
What did I loose? My booth fee. What did I gain? Knowledge, valuable time and my dignity.
First - on a personal level, my time is too valuable to deal with the idiocy of people who have no respect for artistry. It was empowering to take a stand and say - "No, you will not treat me in that manner."
On a broader level, I realize I will still sell works through my web site - and I will still have people seeking out my creations. I also realize that I can not forget how it feels to be a client, and that as a performer and a businessman, I must always go the extra mile to keep that client happy. Even if it means I am not the act they need.
I am not the first artist that has walked away from Colorfest - and I will not be the last. They will always find new "artists" to fill their spots - but just as they don't "need" me - I do not "need" them. And when you reach that realization - you become free to create.
http://www.crafty-owl.com/
During my shift from magic to vent, there was a time I seriously considered giving up performance to concentrate on carving. I could be at home with the family, not have to deal with non-appreciative audiences, there were a lot of benefits. But I couldn't do it - I needed the fix of being in front of a laughing crowd.
Crafty Owl became a significant sideline for me, but due to the number of shows this year, I haven't had time to carve. I have been planning on scaling back my art shows, and life was made much simpler on Friday. Which brings me to the point of this blog:
The second weekend in October has traditionally been held for Colorfest in Thurmont, MD. It is one of my biggest arts & crafts shows of each year. I go out, set up a booth and meet with people who collect my carvings. Every year I add a few new collectors to my list. The income is usually substantial - but this year, as Colorfest runs, I am sitting here in my office typing.
When I went to set up my booth Friday, I found the organizers had laid out the lot out of order. After years of being established in an area - they wanted me to set up in an area that was not thought out - pedestrian traffic would have been minimal. Because the booth numbers were completely removed from the regular flow - my collectors would have had trouble finding me - if they could at all. I tried to appeal to the lot coordinator - but her response was indignant - she could or would do nothing for me. I was a client and their customer service was severely lacking. At that point, I walked away.
What did I loose? My booth fee. What did I gain? Knowledge, valuable time and my dignity.
First - on a personal level, my time is too valuable to deal with the idiocy of people who have no respect for artistry. It was empowering to take a stand and say - "No, you will not treat me in that manner."
On a broader level, I realize I will still sell works through my web site - and I will still have people seeking out my creations. I also realize that I can not forget how it feels to be a client, and that as a performer and a businessman, I must always go the extra mile to keep that client happy. Even if it means I am not the act they need.
I am not the first artist that has walked away from Colorfest - and I will not be the last. They will always find new "artists" to fill their spots - but just as they don't "need" me - I do not "need" them. And when you reach that realization - you become free to create.
http://www.crafty-owl.com/
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