A Fourth Alternative to Comedy Club “Pay to Play” and “Bringer” Shows
Greetings, my fellow stand-up comedians, improvisation performers, comedy magicians and other persons of infinite jest. Wow! Where in the world have I been? My last post was eight days ago. The past week has been (Never say, “has been” to someone my age) an insanely busy one. More about that later. I do remember that our recent theme has been looking for alternatives to comedy club owners and managers who employ “pay to play” (i. e. five bucks to get on stage) and “bringer shows” (bring at least five friends for three to five minutes of stage time). The options I have offered so far include: (1) Performing at retirement centers and senior centers where you can get thirty to sixty minutes of stage time per gig (and, possibly, getting paid rather than paying to perform), Renting your own venues and putting on your own shows, and using atmosphere performing (also known as “table hopping” or “strolling entertainment”) as a means of getting paid to showcase your ability and availability to perform on stage.
Today, Let’s focus on the comedy clubs who do not charge a fee for stage time or expect you to pimp out five or six of your friends (So the club owner or manager doesn’t have to pay for advertising) in order to get a few minutes of stage time. In a recent email from Dave Schwensen, Author of several very helpful books including “How To Be A Working Comic” (I have a signed copy – More on that later), I learned of a very benevolent individual, named Slava Yaryshkin (I think he might be Irish – lol), who is trying to help us all get more stage time. Slava is endeavoring to list all open mics, both music and comedy, in the United States, on his web site at www.badslava.com. This free tool is a definite “must use” for any comedian, singer, or band seeking an audience to perform for. I have already found eleven “open mic” opportunities (and spoken to six people to confirm days and times), in Columbus, Ohio, that was not aware of. Thank you, Slava, for your willingness to share the results of your hard work. And, thank you, Dave for passing on this wonderful resource. Please note, this effort of Slava’s is a work in progress. You should check the site, www.badslava.com, at least weekly for updates in your area. By my count, we now have least four alternatives (and numerous options within each alternative)
to the “pay to play” and “bringer show” comedy clubs. So, if you’re not out there performing your comedy routines on a regular basis, whose fault is it?
Now, for the reason (One of them, anyway) I have been too busy to write a blog post since last Wednesday. I spent last Saturday attending a Stand-up Comedy Workshop (always keep learning) at the Improv Comedy Club in Cleveland, Ohio (A 140 mile drive from Columbus, but, well worth the trip). The instructor, Dave Schwensen, an author, comedian, speaker, and a long-time comedy club manager (Dave is the only person who has managed the Los Angeles Improv, the New York Improv, and now, the Cleveland Improv) is able to approach the business both the comic’s and the comedy booker’s points of view. For someone who has worked with many of the comedy greats of our generation (Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Ray Ramano, etc), Dave is very down to earth and approachable (He even signed my copy of “How To Be A Working Comic”).
Dave limits size of the twelve hour (Noon to 4:00 p.m. for three Saturdays) workshop to ten people, in order to provide the perfect mix of individual and collective instruction. My classmates include a magistrate, a truck driver, a college student, a former college activities director, a snow removal specialist, and a former stripper turned born-again Christian (The Lord really does work in mysterious ways).
Last Saturday, we were each paired with another group member for some onstage improvisation a la “Whose Line is it Anyway?” It was a lot of fun and a fantastic way for the beginners (not the grizzly, old dudes, such as yours truly) to ease into their first time on stage. Then we each had about ten minutes on stage to try out some of our original comedy material in front of Dave and the group. I don’t know why, but, I’m always more nervous with a small group than with a large crowd. But, once I got past the first couples of jokes, it was like shaking hands with an old friend. There is nothing, in the world, like making people laugh. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The next two Saturdays will consist of more time, on stage, trying out material before a captive audience of Dave and the other comedians. Then, the Wednesday after the last Saturday (January 25th at 7:30 p.pm.), we’ll be performing our routines in front of a live audience (I wanted a “dead audience” but we weren’t able to dig one up) at the Cleveland Improv. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll come out and see us. While I have given numerous performances at private, corporate, and civic events, I’m a bit new to the comedy club scene. I’m really looking forward it. But, for now, our homework is to write new stand-up comedy material and, then, to write, write, and write some more. Hence, the reason it has been eight days since my last post.
Read MoreAtmosphere Performing – Getting Paid While Promoting Your Entertainment Business
Greetings my fellow entertainers. I have been wondering, for some time, what kind of New Year’s resolutions performers make (and how well they keep them). Do comics resolve to be even more hysterical? Do jugglers resolve to keep more objects in the air? Do prop comedians resolve to develop more unusual props? Do comedy magicians resolve to be more amazing and more amusing? Do other jesters and buskers resolve to be more assertive in marketing their entertainment services? Do still others resolve to broaden their horizons – Perhaps attempt to attract additional client bases, or add new comedic elements to their artistic repertoire?
Maybe you would like the opportunity to perform more often, and at new and different venues. Have you thought of adding atmosphere entertainment to your entertainment bag of tricks? I hear you silently asking me, “What in the world is atmosphere entertainment?” You may know this old, yet reliable art form by another name. Have you heard other jesters or buskers talking about “table hopping” or “strolling entertainment”. While a stage performance is presented while in front of the audience, atmosphere entertainment is performed from within the audience. This energetic style of performance art involves greeting and entertaining (by either amazing and/or amusing them) members of a crowd “one on one” or in small groups. Then, you move on to your next mini-audience (or someone new approaches you). It’s opening night every two minutes.
You may be able to adapt some of your current entertainment skills for use in atmosphere performing. Many stage magicians earn some very nice dollars doing “close-up magic” in restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos, or on cruise ships, or at large corporate and civic events. Physical comedians pick up extra money doing their stuff while strolling among large crowds at malls, supermarkets, and large department stores, as well as fairs and festivals. Musicians are well-paid to play their wood winds or strum or pluck their stringed instruments while strolling amid crowds in restaurants and at fairs and festivals. These all also great venues for networking. Always brings a supply of give away items which contain
your name and contact information. Work the giveaways into your mini-performances (the little bits of business you do for one or two, or a few people). As with any business, “point of sale” advertising is an an extremely important part of your overall marketing strategy. The best time to promote yourself is while people are able to see and enjoy what you do.
Maybe you will choose to develop new artistic elements to utilize at your atmosphere gigs. Once, while attending an entertainers’ conference outside of Syracuse, New York, I witness a young man walking his pet blue jay (a wooden letter “j” painted blue). He didn’t have to approach anyone. People came up and started the conversation for him. I have an old Polaroid camera (My wife says I never throw anything away) that I use. I insert a picture postcard of myself (with my contact information) where the film cartridge used to go. Then I take someone’s picture. Then, while handing them my picture, I exhibit surprise at how much we look alike. That way, the giveaway is part of the trick. It’s fun, seamless way to get my contact information into the hands of as many people as possible. Adding atmosphere entertainment to your entertainment repertoire is a great way to get paid to advertise your own business. Remember, every person you meet is a potential client.
If you’re adept at visual arts (Sadly, I am not) you could add face/hand painting to the list of entertainment skills you offer. There are great books about it in every bookstore and, in most libraries. Perhaps, you would like to learn balloon twisting (if, like me, you are full of hot air and don’t fancy a career in politics) and use this profitable art form as a way to supplement your income and promote other parts of your entertainment package. Kids (and many adults) will flock to you. And, where there are kids, there are parents. And parent is just another name for potential client. Have giveaways ready for the kids. Color pages rolled up like magic wands (with your performance schedule and contact information included), coloring books, “autographed” picture post cards, mini frisbees, stickers, ball point pens, etc. Kids love these little items and they show them to their parents (who, in turn, see your contact information).
Now, how to get paid? Over the years, I have performed atmosphere entertainment for cash, for barter (see recent posts), for tips, for cash and barter, for cash and tips, for barter and tips, and for for all three. Whatever works for you and your client. Quite often, you can negotiate long-term (weekly, monthly, etc.) atmosphere gigs with venues such as malls, restaurants, and department stores. Then you become a fixture in the minds of your clients, their staff and their patrons. And when they, or someone they know need entertainment, you are the first entertainer they think of.
Well, I know that’s a lot of information. I hope you find it helpful. I firmly believe every building is a potential venue and every person is a potential client. And the person most qualified to market your business is you. Who else has invested as much time, money, and creative and both physical energy as you have?
If you have questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
P.S: On Wednesday, January 25, 2012 (of course) I will be performing, along with a few new comedy friends, onstage (not atmosphere entertainment) at the Improv Comedy Club in Cleveland, Ohio. If you live, work, or are going to be in the area,
come out and see us. We would love to meet you.
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Read MoreUnique opportunities for stand-up comedians, comedy magicians, comedy sketch writers/ performers, and other persons of infinite jest.
I would like to wish a Happy New Year to my fellow entertainers, all you stand-up comedians, comedy magicians, ventriloquists, puppeteers, jugglers, dancers, singers, hypnotists, clowns, balloon artists, comedy sketch writers/ performers, improvisation artists, and other women and men of infinite jest.
My last post was in response to yet another complaint about comedy club owners and managers who who employ “pay to play” (a fee to get onstage) and “bringer show” (bring five to ten friends to get stage time) open mic policies. Today, I will talk about another alternative to the policies as well as how to get gigs during a time when prospective clients aren’t hiring entertainers due to the “sluggish” economy.
The alternative I wish to offer is using barter (accepting goods or services in lieu of cash for your performance) in order to get more opportunities to perform. During my entertainment career, I have negotiated barter arrangements with numerous clients. I have performed for many retail clients (Grocery, Department, Jewelry, Athletic), restaurants (fast food and sit down dining), gyms, and other clients in the Central Ohio area, for cash, barter or a combination of the two.
You can also negotiate barter arrangements with bars (drinks and food), casinos (food, drinks, rooms, gambling chips), hotels, and resorts (food, drinks, sleeping rooms, meeting/event rooms). You may even be able to strike a deal with a comedy club to perform for food and drinks.
Is performing for barter really worth it, I hear you asking yourself? Consider this. You can negotiate for goods and services you would, otherwise, have to purchase for cash. And the amount you get can be more than you would get in cash.
One public pool/gym gave me a year long, family membership for one performance.
There’s an old show business saying, “Work begets work”. Not only does entertaining for barter keep your performing skills sharp, it also exposes your skills to the entertainment buying public. In other words, barter gigs lead to cash gigs. All of these barter gigs are places to schmooze with customers and hand out your business cards and other Point of Sale devices. A word of caution, though. Also explain, to your barter clients, that the arrangement is to be kept in the strictest of confidence. Otherwise, the customers will want to pay you in barter as well.
Just to restate my case for accepting good and services from some clients in exchange for your entertainment skills. Performing barter will increase your seasoning (performing experience) and your opportunities to work for cash. And, after all, if your prospective has already refused to hire you for money, you have nothing to lose by offering to perform for barter. And you may be delightedly surprised by their response. They may even hire you on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, etc.). One more idea springs to mind. Pass on this advice to all of your friends in the entertainment business and you can all get together and trade coupons in your very own barter coupon swap meet.
My next post will be about New Year’s Resolutions. Again, Happy New Year! And may using barter as a negotiating tool in the year 2012 keep you and your artistic skills as busy as you have always wanted to be.
Read MoreShe who laughs last – - Is, apparently the deepest
As I have mentioned before, I belong to several Linkedin discussion groups which cater to live stage entertainers. Some of these groups deal specifically with comedic performers (comics, ventriloquists, comedy magicians, physical comedians, pantomime artists, comedy jugglers, comedy writers, sketch comedians, etc.) while others are open to members of the entertainment community at large.
The question of the week, from a group for stand-up comedians and humorous speakers, is whether men or women are a better comedy audience. I would have to say, it really depends on two rather obvious variables: The particular genre of the comedy material and how it is presented.
In both my personal and professional experience, it’s easier to get men to laugh. Men respond more easily to hack jokes and sight gags (remember, men are more prone to react to visual stimulation). As a comedy variety artist who has been married twice (each time to a different woman), I have observed that women, having a more sophisticated comedy palate, will barely roll their eyes at the aforementioned light effort type of comedy that seems to elicit belly laughs and knee slaps from their male counterparts. They will, however, laugh harder and longer at the more deep structure type of comedy (relationship scenarios, storytelling with a decent plot and well developed characters, etc.). One might say that women respond to comedy in much the same way they respond to sex. It may take some time and effort to get women going. But, once you do, they will laugh much, much longer and much, much harder than men.
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Free Agency – - The Art of Creating Your Own Performance and Recording Opportunities
Greetings! My talented colleagues in the live entertainment business: during this week’s blog posts, I have offered two alternatives to paying comedy (and music, poetry, etc.) clubs for stage time (and pimping out your friends to pack the house for the club owner/managers) and/or waiting for bookers (for cruise ships, night clubs, lounges, hotels, casinos, etc.) to respond to your promotional packet and, maybe, give you an opportunity to perform and earn some money. So far, I have suggested 1) Performing at retirement centers (for free or for a small fee) in order to get plenty of stage time (to work on your material and timing), and 2) Getting together with other entertainers and offering to perform comedy showcases or variety shows for restaurants, bars, etc. on their slow nights.
Today, I have a third alternative to share with you. I call this option “Free agency.” This option involves working together with your fellow performers (stand-up comedians, jugglers, Illusionists, stage hypnotists, mimes, comedy magicians, ventriloquists, singers, musicians, pantomime artists, etc.) to rent out venues and produce your own live, stage shows. A lot of fraternal/service organizations have halls which are available for rent, often at a reasonable rate. The halls have decent acoustics (they’re often rented by country and rock bands). If the lodge has a bar and the organization is willing to help advertise the show, you will probably get some of the lodge “regulars” to attend the performance. If the lodge has a kitchen and a ladies’ auxiliary (forgive my sexism), you may also be able to offer dinner and a show to your audience and share the proceeds with the lodge.
You and your fellow entertainers will need to be willing to share expenses (hall rental, advertising), setting up (chairs, tables, etc.) and putting away down chores, and the proceeds. As I mentioned in yesterdays blog post, you can also take turns being the opening act, master of ceremonies, middle act, and feature act. You could also rotate set-up and tear down assignments. This way, the same people aren’t always lumbered with the most difficult and most boring grunt work.
Once you and your friends have made some money, you can rent an actual theater and record a live performance. Then you will have a CD or DVD to sell at future performances and on your respective web sites.
I will be implementing this plan in the Columbus, Ohio area along with several performers I have met through meetup.org. Anyone else who would like to join us, please contact me by telephone at 614-891-7393 or send me an email via this web site.
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