MISSION IMPROVable
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HOT COMEDY CHOICES
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25 YEARS OF CAMPuS ACTIVITIES
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AGENT PROFILE
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They are on the move, creating more product for not only the campus market but mainstream America! Eight full pages of great possiblities for your campus including pricing, contact info and video links.
Meet a few of the friends we have brought you along the way.
TREVOR NOAH 10
If You Haven’t Heard of Him Yet, Don’t Worry, You Will. The New “Daily Show” Star Is Getting A “Thumbs up”!
Meet Rachel Wolfson who started as an intern and found a career.
IT’S ALL INSIDE
From the Publisher .....................4 Real Life........................................6 Spanky...........................................8
Feature Story.............................. 10 Hot Comedy Buys..................... 24 Inside the Industry......................34 AEP Rising Star.......................... 36
RANDOM THOUGHTS & OTHER MINDLESS DRIBBLE
A Tribute To Tracey
Most of you know already that I have raised 10 kids who were trapped in the social services system. Most of them were hard cases in that nobody else would give them a chance. But after having what I would call a semi-success with the first boy (who was 15 going on 16), I started getting requests from agencies who wanted me to consider helping out with other youngsters. I became president of The South Carolin Council on Adoptable Children (COAC) and served for two years. This was something I was dedicated to and it kept me young and strong (at least for a while). After I had taken my last social services case
I was approached by the then current leadership of COAC asking me to consider a private adoption. So I decided to consider it and met with the mother and grandmother of the young man who was ten years old along with his current foster parents. The parents described the kid as “hell warmed over.”
The fool that I am, I took a shot. and Ian Johnson was placed with me by his mother. I must admit that Ian had his moments- actually lots of moments, but he knew I wasn’t giving up. But this is not about Ian. Tracey, his mom became very controlling in my parenting, possibly to the point of being antagonistic. His visits to his mom and grandmother went well but Tracey wanted to control Ian’s behavior from
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afar (100 miles away). For a while I felt she was almost resentful that Ian was making progress. She had so many problems with Ian that eventually she sought help by putting him in a live-in wilderness program. Because I already had worked with one older child that had come from this same camp, I worried that his stay there had done more damage than good. The point is, that for a few years my parenting skills came under much scrutiny with her, so much that she gave me recommendations that I would never have followed. Next you have to know that Tracey had dealt with some awful health problem that were compounded when after a few years, nobody really knew what was wrong with her. She was first treated for Lupus and then some
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crazy disease where her organs had begun to solidify, so she had some real life medical problems and disabilities.
I came to know Ian’s grandmother, Nancy and we became pals. This old lady was a trip. She actually built house for Tracey on her property (they lived in the mountains of SC) and actually hung dry wall and helped put in the floor and roof while in her late 60s.
As my relationship with Nancy blossomed, Tracey started coming around too. But Tracey was addicted to surgery. Every year there was another operation to fix this or that and while I believe that most of them helped her motivate and move better, some were things she convinced the doctors that she needed done. If there was ever a biotic woman, Tracey was it.
Don’t get me wrong, she had real disabilities and for a long time she had to use a walker or wheel chair to get around. Finally because of problems with her spine that made her lean forward slightly, she underwent surgery at Emory in Atlanta to put an aluminum rod in her spine. She underwent this without even giving it another thought even though there was only a 50/50 chance it would be successful. But it was successful and chaged her life. After that, she was finally able to get around a good bit of the time with just a cane and finally was able to regain some of her old life. She had a support group that she dearly loved going to and she got her driver’s license back and actually started driving again.
As her abilities increased, so did her mood and while she still had some control issues, she became more pleasant and quite friendly. Ian would bring his girls to see her periodically and they actually enjoyed spending time with her. Because Nancy had almost devoted her
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entire life to assisting Tracey, now she was able to back off and live her life and do some things on her own.
But the driving part bothered all of us and I wondered what doctor would have had the nerve to suggest it was okay for her to drive. Even sitting in the car as a passenger, she would nod off, possibly from her meds but more than likely as a result of her medical condition... and I never would ride with her. But Tracey had become a more active person and actually volunteered to do proofing for this magazine. She was a smart woman and an exceptional proofer. She had worked as an engineer prior to her medical situation. She wanted something to do and volunteered to help and honestly I saw a huge change in her attitude and demeanor.
A few months ago, Nancy got sick with something that could have been life threatening. You have to know Nancy to understand her. She is the nicest lady you will ever want to meet but she comes from the Granny Clampet mentality. She didn’t like doctors, so she always diagnosed herself. She has a massive supply of various medicines, most fo which were out of date, over-the counter remedies and vitamins to cure anything. Except this time it did not happen. She too went through a rough patch before finding a doctor that could come with a diagnosis that gave her some relief. The point here is that then Tracey became Nancy’s caregiver because Nancy’s husband had passed away more than a decade ago.
Tracey smothered Nancy with attention and volunteered to drive her anywhere or pick up anything from Costco that Nancy needed. The problem was that even though Nancy is older, she is still pretty independent and while she
loved Tracey, the smothering had to stop. Nancy became nervous when riding with Tracey because she felt her driving was a little erratic. Only a couple of weeks ago, Tracy had managed to run into a stop sign trying to answer her iPhone while driving.
When the call came from Nancy to me yesterday I was shocked but not totally surprised. Tracey had swerved across the center line while driving to the grocery store and hit a truck with a camper head-on. She died instantly. Even though I knew an accident was a possibility, I never dreamed it would be something this serious. Unfortunately, Tracey has left Nancy unexpectedly at a time when Nancy really needed her, probably because of one phone call or text. Of course there are a lot of complications here that Tracey would have never wanted Nancy to bare but those are side -issues.
I make it a habit of not reading or responding to texts while driving. I have bluetooth in my car so all calls come to me hands free but even that can be a distraction and I have found times where I have taken my eyes off the road trying to figure out why iTunes is not connecting with Bluetooth properly. Please, if answering your phone or trying to find a playlist takes your eyes off the road, STOP, PULLOVER and deal with the issue you are facing before getting back on the highway. This simple procedure can save your life and perhaps the lives of others who may be unexpectedly involved in your decision. There is always going to be someone who will miss you if you are gone, even if you don’t realize it. So wise up!
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BY ELAINE PASQuA
Tipping The Scales: Weighing In On Obesity
Do you often hear the term Freshmen 15? How common is it for students to put on weight when they enter college? The picture of health painted by epidemiologists for younger people in this country is not so rosy. Nationwide, campus administrators and faculty have observed an increase in overweight students. There’s a significant increase of obesity related disorders in teens and people in their twenties. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol typically seen in middle age are now affecting younger people. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. is 190 billion dollars. Experts believe that these younger people will be a greater health burden at 50 than their parents are. I see the impact of obesity around me on a daily basis. People can’t walk as easily so they are using canes at younger ages. Many request to pre-board planes because they can’t walk as fast.
Not only is obesity a public health issue but research shows that when students gain weight they lose self-confidence as they become selfconscious of their changing bodies. Depression and anxiety can set in, which leads to feeling of a loss of self-control and eating more to selfmedicate. The eating and depression cycle becomes unmanageable as the lack of physical activity increases. Weight gain can then spiral out of control in a few years.
The life style of a typical college student makes it easy to gain weight. You come into a cafeteria
where there is an abundance of food and desserts. We live in a super-size society where bigger portions are the norm. Junk food and snacks are abundant. Consuming a few more calories per day and per week is cumulative. It’s easy to gradually put on a few pounds every year and before you know it, the weight is on and it’s hard to shed.
The following tips will help prevent weight gain. This should be about your health, not body image. Value your health and your well-being. Make food choices because they are good for you and you’ll feel better. First, don’t skip meals. Food is your fuel source for a healthy immune system and provides brain
feel full. Choose a variety of food for your diet, this way it will be more balanced. Students who linger in the dining hall after a meal will graze and eat more. I am not saying that you should eat fast, but if you leave the food area as soon as you have finished you will reduce temptation to eat more.
Watch the carbs and sugar laden foods which easily convert into fat. If you drink alcohol, decrease the amount that you are consuming. The body recognizes the sugars in alcohol as fat and converts it to fatty tissue. Read the ingredients on the labels of your food and avoid high fructose corn syrup. HFCS is easily converted to fat by the body. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and high quality protein. Be aware of the quality of the snacks you are consuming. Replace sugary snacks with nuts, popcorn, sun flower seeds, or fruit. All have essential nutrients and fewer calories. Watch fat intake, especially trans and saturated fats; fried foods contain both. Limit where you can, without totally eliminating fats. You need some fats to be healthy, so look for monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats.
power. You need food for energy; without it you can develop headaches and become lethargic. Studies show that those who skip breakfast gain more weight. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You are breaking that 5 to 10 hour fast. Avoid fast food sandwiches that are laden with fat and salt. Instead eat yogurt, eggs, or fruit.
Watch portions. Don’t feel like you need to fill your plate and stomach. I often look at a serving of food and try to determine if it will fit comfortably in my stomach. Rule of thumb, don’t eat a portion of a particular food that is larger than the palm of your hand and stop eating before you
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Avoid soda and other sugary drinks. It is important to stay hydrated; water best satisfies our thirst and is much healthier. It helps to flush the toxins from the body.
Don’t eat right before you go to bed. Gravity helps to move your food through your digestive tract. When you go to bed on a full stomach that process shows down and you absorb more calories. If you live on a large campus that offers shuttles, walk to class. The average person should be walking 10,000 steps a day but most don’t. Take advantage of the recreation facilities. Carving out time to exercise each day not only benefits your physical health but it improves your emotional well-being.
Questions on college life? Email me at elaine@elainepasqua.com
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773.481.2600 (PH) 773.481.2601 (FX)
2014 BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE 2013 ENTERTAINERS OF THE YEAR Campus Activities Magazine
INFO@BASS-SCHULER.COM www.MissionIMPROVable.com
Going without a car in NYC is the norm, and not necessarily an inconvenience, because their public transportation system is great and taxis are everywhere. In fact, long time NYC resident, Woody Allen, has driven a car only once, while filming a scene in the movie “Annie Hall.” I got so accustomed to not having a car I thought I could go without one in Austin. Wrong.
By Steven Kent McFarlin (AKA Spanky)
CARPE CAR
In my last column I wrote about getting a place in Austin, Texas, after almost three decades of living in New York City. This month I will continue sharing the experience of that transition with a confession you may find surprising.
I just got my first car in seventeen years. How could I go so long without one you ask?
Because when you live in Manhattan owning a car is an unnecessary expense. “Unnecessary” because anywhere you are going in NYC there will almost certainly not be any legal street parking available (and parking illegally results in a $115.00 ticket). And the word “expense” is a vast understatement, because private parking spaces go for jaw dropping prices; the daily rate at a parking garage can cost $60.00! The monthly rate in my first apartment building for a parking space was $450.00, and that was in 1986 dollars! If you want to actually own a parking space, well, as they say in NYC, “Fuggedaboutit!” A 12” X 23” space recently went for a cool million dollars, six times more than a typical family home! To put this cost in perspective, for that price you could get the $115.00 ticket everyday for over 24 years! True story. 8 CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE®,
Austin prides itself in being a “green” city and has a much better than average bus system, however walking to the bus stop and waiting for a bus to arrive in 100+ degree temperatures is miserable. When you reach your destination you are a sweaty mess. Unfortunately, finding a taxi in Austin is as easy as finding a Rabbi in Afghanistan. Uber and Lyft have helped, but their services are usually tied up by the almost 20 million tourists that visit Austin each year (almost three times as many as the Eifel Tower). So now I own a car.
This is not my first car; that was a wreck that was pieced together with different colored hood, quarter panels, and doors, that cost me a grand total of $70, and was probably overpriced. But I was 16, and it got me from point A to point B...most of the time.
I, unlike most men, was not born with the Automobile Gene, that common male obsession with all things cars. I did not take Auto Shop in school, because after being forced to help my father work on his car, working on a car seemed like, well, work. I would rather watch someone mow their yard than watch NASCAR. I’ll admit to a morbid interest in the few seconds of collisions they show on SportsCenter, but that is just a dark side of human nature. (I once drove by a bar that had a sign out front advertising “Turtle Races On Tuesday!” when my friend turned to me and said “People just go
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to those to watch them crash.” True story.) The only time I’ve enjoyed the motoring experience was in high school, when my best friend (whose parents owned the local funeral home) would sneak out the hearse and drive around while I hung my leg out the back window. True story.
I have buddies that are such Gearheads they drool when the look under the hood of a car, but I am much more superficial. I could care less about how much horsepower a car has; to me more horsepower just means more stops for gas. I only care about my date thinking my car looks sexy, and because Austin is so “green” (i.e. “hippies”) most women here think the sexiest car on the road is a Prius Hybrid. But because I was not planning on buying a car in the first place, a Prius Hybrid was beyond my budget. However, I could afford a Hyundai Accent and a car emblem that says “Hybrid” that I found online that is used on the Hyundai Sonata (the only hybrid model Hyundai sells). So far I've shown my new ride to three different girls and all responded with "Oh, it's a Hybrid! How cool!" True story.
Look out hippy girls, there is a new hybrid in town..
Steven Kent McFarlin (AKA “Spanky”) has been described by the press as a “campus entertainment icon.” He has been voted “Campus Comic of the Year” and the “Campus Performer of the Year” (LaffGuru.com). His credits include over fifty TV appearances, including: Showtime, Good Morning America, and The Late Show. You may contact him at standupcomic@live.com.
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Fame is a funny thing, in that there are many degrees of it, and any particular act is only famous to you once you’ve heard of them.
Trevor Noah is a name that the masses may not recognize, but they soon will, as he steps into place as the host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. When you talk about big shoes to fill, those of Jon Stewart must seem especially daunting, especially for a performer who’s light on primetime experience, but Trevor is no stranger to overcoming challenges. He is full of surprises and the fact that he came from where he did (in a place where comedy itself was almost non-existent) is a testament to both his talent and resolve.
Hailing from South Africa, learning the world in the time of Apartheid, there weren’t exactly talent agents hanging around every corner, or performance venues to practice a performance craft. Trevor is what most of the old hat in the comedy world would consider a late bloomer; in fact Trevor didn’t even grace a stage until he was well into adulthood. “Being interested in the art of making people laugh as a profession was something I only discovered at the age of 22. I really didn’t know about it, comedy wasn’t a big thing in South Africa, so there wasn’t really anything on my radar.”
Despite his lack of an outlet for the talent, Trevor knew he had a bit of a knack. “I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh, it has always been an intrinsic part of who I am. It was never something I had to consciously think of, you know? It was more an innate ability I had that I never thought to develop and utilize in a serious way in my life until much later.” There is little doubt that someday the story of Trevor’s life will make a great biography, but unfortunately our medium and purposes don’t allow us to delve into nearly the level of detail this writer would prefer. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t gorge ourselves in as much background as we have time for, so long as we save a little room for what makes this fellow a great choice for campus talent buyers.
Trevor grew up in Soweto and Johannesburg, a challenging place for a family and young man, especially given Trevor’s ethnic background. “I was from a mixed family, my mother black and native to SA and father white from Switzerland. I grew up as a pretty average kid doing my thing, to be honest. I was lucky enough that when I was 10, democracy really started to take hold there, so I had a decent life I would say. I started doing stand-up and just started grinding through. Stand-up was just a hobby for a while; I had a series of odd jobs I ran through just trying to figure things out but I was incredibly fortunate in realizing that I had a calling.” Eventually he became a big fish in a small comedy pond and opportunity began knocking. “To have the chance to start traveling to other countries to do shows was amazing. Eventually there was an American fellow I met who had come to South Africa working on a documentary on comedy. He invited me to the States and I took him up on it and have continued to return ever since.”
Like many folks who come from less privileged backgrounds than the average American, Trevor seems to take his home situation in stride. Trevor’s family background made it much more difficult to have a normal family life, especially early on when Apartheid was still in place. Most folks probably don’t realize just how nontraditionally many families there were organized, at least to our social norms. “My dad was sort of a world traveler, he had lived everywhere, Canada, New York, Germany, Switzerland…South Africa was just one of his destinations. But, I grew up in my mother’s home. In Apartheid, you couldn’t have mixed homes, so there was no opportunity to be raised by my father. If you were black in South Africa, it was likely that you lived with your entire family, grandmother, grandfather, cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone stayed in one little house together.” One often wonders what sort of parents raise successful entertainers; it’s easy to imagine a musician’s child becoming a musician themselves. “In terms of vocations, all black people worked in factories or in menial labor. There was no higher learning or higher level job to attain. My grandmother worked in a factory, my mother didn’t work, my aunt was studying to be a nurse. My dad was a manager for a company that produced processed meat. There is no entertainment legacy here (laughs).” Getting a comedy career going in a place where luxuries like going out for a night on the town and a show are not that common is no easy feat. While economically things have improved in South Africa since Apartheid, the median income of the country as of 2013 was
still only $6,800, compared to over $50,000 in the u.S. “I had just moved in with a couple friends of mine and I was working odd jobs. I was helping out at a radio station late at night, and one day one of my housemates told me I should tag along to a comedy show he went to every week. I had never been to a comedy show, so I went. I had no idea what to expect. It was just a little bar with the comedy happening in the corner. One of the guys asked me if I wanted to come on stage and my friend said I should so I just did it.” Just do it. “It took either balls or stupidity, one of the two (laughs). I suppose most bold action is a combination of the two at some point. I didn’t know what to talk about at first, then my friends started shouting from the audience to tell them this story or that. I just told people stories from my life, and they laughed. That is how I approached my comedy from then on. I would tell people stories about things that had happened to me or things that I’d seen.”
Very few true storyteller comics have risen through the ranks to achieve true fame, but to a fault they are most often the most distinctive and unique comics around, unpolluted by the study of one-liners, or come backs or worst of all, purloined material (intentional or not). Think of George Carlin, Richard Pryor and of course, he who shall not be named. Ok, I’ll whisper it:
Bill Cosby. Say what you want about any of these legends, but the fact remains they are great comics and unique completely to themselves. It’s a very hard quality to find, but because of the very sparse comedy atmosphere that presented speed bumps to Trevor early in his career, he was blessedly untainted by the larger comedy world. It’s like a musician learning to play an instrument themselves, without ever having been stamped by any genre. This isn’t to say Trevor never ran into any influences once he started the path to comedy, but they came once he was already well on his way, not inspiring him initially to enter the fray and therefore greatly reducing the chance for any imitation. “When I was starting comedy, I had no comedic influences. I had never watched comedy, I grew up in an extremely religious home so it’s not like my mom was going to bring home any comedy VHS cassettes or anything like that, and broadcast coverage was nonexistent. It wasn’t something I was familiar with, I just did it the way I did it. I told stories more than jokes, I knew nothing about structure nor did I know any of the science behind it.” This is what art snobs refer to as a true primitive. The word may carry negative connotations of someone being undeveloped on its face, but what it really means is that a well
has been tapped that is connected to no other water table. What you draw out, while potentially unrefined, is completely pure. “I just worked within the realm of telling people about things I knew and then they laughed or they didn’t. That’s all I knew.”
Over time, as he really immersed himself in this newfound passion, he began to expose himself to the wider pool of talent, not because he was looking for direction or ideas, but because he simply enjoyed watching the craft done well. “A friend asked me one day, ‘Have you ever heard of Eddie Murphy?’ and I said ‘Oh yes, of course I have heard of Eddie Murphy, he was The Nutty Professor.’ (Laughs) I had no idea he did stand-up, I just loved his movies. Then, someone showed me ‘RAW.’ I lost my mind. I remember thinking it had to be the most difficult act to follow ever. I couldn’t believe that this was the level this could be done at. It was utterly incredible; I didn’t understand how he did it so well, how he structured it so cleanly and smoothly. It was mind-blowing. From then on I definitely looked at the art and craft of comedy in a different way. I could not believe someone could be that good at doing the same thing I was doing.”
As a side note, if you’re reading this, this writer is going to
assume you are at least remotely interested in booking comedy on a college campus. If you haven't seen at least one special from every comedian named in this story, do yourself a favor and go do that now. You’ll know a lot more when you get back. It’s ok, go ahead. The great thing about text is that we can wait.
Now, go watch some Trevor Noah. Here, I’ll make it easy for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=GgzYCj39M38. As a side note, if you look down a few in the list of recommended videos you will see Carlin (R.I.P).
Ok so now that we are all caught up, you can see what this guy is working with. If you read the stories that have headlines with Trevor Noah’s name in them, a common phrase keeps popping up. He seems to have been branded as an “out of nowhere” choice as a replacement for the amazing Jon Stewart, who has carried the torch of Comedy Central’s youth-demographically successful “The Daily Show” for the last 15 years. If your inference applies to Trevor’s level of household fame, this statement may hold true, but when it comes to Trevor as a comic it couldn’t be further from fact. His experience is a decade deep and, perhaps mak-
ing up for lost time, he has packed as much performing into that ten years as possible. “Because I love comedy so much, when I started it was a hobby, I wasn’t getting paid. I became notorious as that guy anyone could call if they needed a comedian for ANY spot. I would go to any gig no matter the size or the place, and I would do comedy. It didn’t matter who the audience was or what the restrictions were. I would do it any time I could, which was pretty difficult since in South Africa we didn’t have comedy clubs (at least back then).” Crossing paths with the owner of a jazz club, Trevor was able to find a more regular outlet to practice in. “The owner would have me come in and warm up the audiences before the main events and so that became my weekly thing. It became my regular gig and because the audiences were made up of a lot of regulars, I had to keep coming up with fresh material all the time. It put a bit of pressure on me, but it was a great environment to learn in, constantly working and working and putting in a lot of time behind a mic.”
Over time, he gained access to a few South African comedy festivals, where some International acts were featured. “I got to meet some great comedians at those shows and a lot of them told me if I ever came to their country, I should hit them up. I had never considered that, but over time I began taking those opportunities. I bought myself a plane ticket to England and did some spots in London and around the uK. I did well and had a good time and eventually made my way to the uS. I did some work in southern California and worked my way up, performing at as many
clubs and international comedy festivals as I could.”
Someone took notice, and now Trevor is about to slide into one of the most coveted spots in comedy. Being on “The Daily Show” even as a correspondent has made careers, and now Trevor is about to be sitting in the captain’s chair. Don’t think he just fell into it though. “The process was a lot longer than most people seem to think,” he says. “Jon Stewart and I started speaking about two years ago. He called me out of the blue really, we had never met in person. I was doing a tour in London and he reached out and said he would like me to come on the show just to chat about things. At the time I was really lucky in that my touring schedule had really picked up, but unlucky because I had to turn him down. It was a bittersweet moment. It was Jon Stewart on one hand, but I couldn’t desert what I had worked so hard for or my obligations on the other.”
A year or so later, “The Daily Show” team reached out again. “They said ‘Hey, Jon still wants you to come by. Even if you’re just in New York, pop in and come hang out at the show and see how we do things and let everyone meet you.’ So I did, as soon as I had the chance. I had some shows in New York and once I was in there I loved the environment. Jon and I just connected so quickly and easily that he invited me to come talk on the show. I did my first piece and we had such a great time he asked me to come back on the regular any time I wanted. We had a very flexible schedule and it was working great with my tours. Just before the announcement, I was thinking about moving to New York
to be able to spend more time with the show, hanging out with the writers and seeing the process from start to finish. Jon made the announcement and the whirlwind began.”
It continues, and Trevor is riding the updrafts. Trevor is excited and nervous at the same time and ready for the end of September to come. “It is a little bit daunting. Just like being on stage and following a great comedian, this is five-fold the same pressure. I am following a person who has in many respects mastered the craft of what he does. I have to take it one day at a time and put as much hard work into it as possible, but I also have to trust that I can get there. I guess the only things that helps me is oftentimes watching reels of ‘The Daily Show.’ When I go back and look at Jon’s earlier stuff, it makes him appear a bit more human. You realize that he didn’t become the polished machine he is over night. His Rome wasn’t built in a day, he worked very hard for it, and I plan to as well.” Hard work has gotten Trevor this far, and he will work hard on your campus to ensure a satisfied audience at the end of every performance. Join the whirlwind that has become Trevor Noah’s career and bring him to your campus now while he’s becoming one of the most talked about names in the business by calling Matt Blake at CAA at (424) 288-2000 or mblake@caa.com
If you ask anyone that knows comedy, Mission IIMPROVable is one of the first options that will come to their lips...especially since the MI concept is so interactive...Over the last ten years, the MI name plate has the reputation of delivering a clear winning show with students almost anywhere. But Aaron Krebs and crew are not standing still and resting on their laurels. They took social issues on campus and developed amusing yet teaching moments with them and these too have earned high marks. Look at “A Shot Of Reality” their alcohol awareness show. 20, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE®, COMEDY ISSUE 2015
www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
Then they took an older format that was originally developed for the campus market years ago by the Repertory Theater of America and enhanced it into a full production and “The Comedy Murder Mysteries” show became the new “whodunit” opportunity for campuses across America. The real niche in all these shows that truly makes them unique and appealing is the interactive nature. Not only do campuses love the laughs but they learn and have fun in a truly creative way that they don’t get from simply having a comedian on campus. www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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The Next New Thing(s)
Aaron Krebs and his partners are moving in many new directions to expand the Mission IMPROvable franchise.
“The biggest expansion has been The Westside Comedy Theater in the Los Angeles/ Santa Monica area. In actuality it is like a huge tree with Mission IMPROVable at the base and a brach left and a branch right. The comedy Club is the is branch left with stand up and improv out there seven nights a week. It has been impressive because we have had headliners pop in. Dave Chappelle came by and and Bob Saget was there just the other night. We still do the Mission IMPROVable show there every Friday and Saturday night. In addition to that we have started a development wing and are in the midst of coming up with several television pilots. These are all basic comedy situations because that is what we do. “We have one show that is kind of unique. It is a comedy roast of dead celebrities done buy other dead celebrities and we also have a kid’s show in production.
“i still run and produce the college shows on our end. We have the Mission IMPROVable show and then there is another show we call MI2, which is a two-person show. We have the Comedy Murder Mysteries Show which is going great and we have a show called “Icebreakers,” an orientation program which is very interactive and “get to know you” show. This show can kind of be customized to the campus we are taking it to, plus there are prizes. It helps break down barriers and let the students get to know each other from the beginning. “We also have “A Shot of Reality,” an alcohol program that is going strong. That show has really evolved in the last few seasons. Basically it addresses alcohol issues as they effect college campuses and students. So the main topics are alcoholism itself,
DUI, binge drinking, and alcohol based sexual assault issues that schools are dealing with now. It is basically a program that revolves around factors associated with alcohol and campus life. This was a show that we really cared a lot about and it was the second show that we introduced to the campus market. “The next show we will be introducing will be called “Nerdology.” I am excited about this show because I am a nerd. This is a pop-culture, trivia game show. There are prizes as well but it is not just question and answer, it is interactive and involves the audience. Students can put a team together and play with their buddies and there will be mock movie themes, so the team might be involved in a re-enactment of a scene from “Titanic” or “Mission Impossible” as an example. So what you get is a cross between a game show, reenactments and trivia all rolled into one with total audience participation and prizes.”
“The answer to that is ‘yes.” That is why we are in development mode and reaching out to other possibilities. But that doesn’t mean we will ever forsake the campus market. We have invested in this market and it has been good to us. Students and their reactions are a good measuring stick as to what we need to pursue – whether on campus or a different type of venue. Our goal is not to create every show that the college market needs. Actually our goals are very simple: A) To create shows that colleges are excited about. B) Give them shows that involve comedy. C) Give them shows that are interactive.
“Those three element play into every show we create. That’s our recipe.”
Okay, the obvious question is how do the shows from MI compare to
Aaron admits, “I write all the shows and we have another guy here in the office that does all the research and that is Judd. It takes hours of research, innovation and fact checking to produce and develop these shows, but that is what we do.
“Nerdology just finished the alpha testing . We are doing a beta test of it in our comedy club at the end of September. We have one show booked at a college as a test experience this fall and if everything works, our plans are to start regularly booking it in 2016.”
If you talk to any artist, the college market is their launching point to something bigger and better. For some it is corporate shows, casino performances and even theater circuit work that will help them reach the masses and become household names. My question to Aaron is “Is that your goal with the MI franchise and the other tangent projects?”
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other game shows that have been in the college market for over a decade?
“Rather than bringing the interactive experience to selected students, we want to totally involve the audience. Our goal is not only to immerse that student or students but the entire audience in what is going on. And the show is developed and produced to do just that. We do some military shows and we also have some cruise line work, so those situations require a little bit of tweaking to make them fit the mold that they require. Doing a cruise line, you are faced with not all passengers speaking the same language, so you tweak the show to become more visual. Magicians work so well on cruise ships because it is all visual whereas stand-ups may not work out as well. With the military there is a defined shorthand and rules and regulations that will supercede the state laws. Therefore there is a lot more going on with a
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military show that is not necessary for a campus or general audience show. “ One of the things we have learned over the years is how to adapt to the audience you are going to be facing. We are prepped so we don’t go out there uninformed. That is a crucial mistake for any performer. You must do your homework and know the people you will be working with when you approach the audience. There is no one show that works for every audience without making some adaptations.” Aaron speaks highly of his agency, Bass-Schuler Entertainment. “It was a serendipitous thing. We are starting out about the same time they were starting out and we had a friend introduce us to those guys and it has been magic. We still run Mission IMPROVable out of Chicago, but all the other shows are developed and produced out of LA. It is so fortunate
that technology has developed to the point that the distance is not a barrier in our relationship with them because they are the best.
We have been very fortunate to have Bass Schuler represent us and that all the partners here are invested in the show. That way the responsibilities get spread out and the weight is not on one person’s shoulders. All of us are invested in making Mission IMROVable a success and all the tangent projects come from feedback from everyone. My only job is to create and produce new shows because that is where my experience lies.”
BOOK IT: To Book any of the shows from Mission IMPROVable including the new Nerdology show: Bass/Schuler Entertainment (773) 481-2600 • bass-schuler.com
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XCLUSIVE This multi-talented and multi- dimensional performer utilizes physicality, inventive artistry, and pop culture to FLAT OUT entertain an audience.
Xclusive has developed and seamlessly executes a one- man, three-ring circus of which he is the RING MASTER. Through hip-hop/anime dance, audience interaction, and stand up comedy, Xclusive DELIVERS and keeps his fans wanting more! PRICE RANGE: $1501-$2500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Nationwide but scattered avails left for Fall 2015 LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/uyXxR8_Wq9s AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Joyce Jiawan • joyce@metropolismanagement.com 877-536-5374 MIA JACKSON Mia Jackson always wondered what would happen if she took her sense of humor to the stage. She tried it and people laughed! Mia has appeared on Oxygen, TLC and is a Semi-Finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Smart and versatile, Mia entertains all types of crowds. PRICE RANGE: $2000-$5000 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Northeast & Southeast Oct-Nov 2015 and Mar-Apr 2016 LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/A93ozD-AieA AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Lee Mayer, Houla Entertainment 865-414-9266 leemayer@houlaentertainment.com
DYLAN MANDLSOHN Hitting his mark at Montréal’s world famous Just For Laughs and also The Boston Comedy Festivals catapulted Dylan into being selected to perform for The Comcast Network which spread his wings into new television and film territory. Additionally Dylan recently starred in his own Comedy Now Special for The Comedy Network and CTV. Inspired by the great Jim Carrey, legendary Johnny Carson and Rich Little, Dylan Mandlsohn uses his own brilliant comedy to entertain and challenge social norms by pushing boundaries that promote forward thinking to his Stand-up audiences across this globe. PRICE RANGE: $1900-$2500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Anywhere in the uSA and abroad LINK TO VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/130152987 AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Rob Jockel, Cutting Edge Entertainment •rjockel@cuttingedgeentertain.com • (860) 693-9116
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FUNNIEST HOUSEWIVES "next breakout star". Cindy has pulled together the best and the brightest in this all headliner cast of hilarious women AKA the FUNNIEST HOUSEWIVES! Their distinctly different personas stand strong on their own but together they are a force of nature.This show brings together the best and the brightest. Their resumes read like a "Who's Who" of comedy and they have appeared on Oprah, The Tonight Show, David Letterman, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, The View...and that's just the short list! It is the most fun you can have with your pants on! PRICE RANGE: $3500 for 2 comics, $5500 for 3 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Possible AREAS SOuGHT: Tours nationwide from LA LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Cmr4-IDzjV0 AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Gerri Abrahamsen, DCA Productions (800)659-2063 gerri@dcaproductions.com NEEL NANDA • IFC’s Garfunkel and Oates Show • Performed Stand-Up on Oxygen’s “Funny Girls” • Placed Second in the Westside Comedy Showdown in 2015 • Featured at Bridgetown Comedy Festival and Laughing Skull Festival
PRICE RANGE: $1500-$2000 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Nationwide LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/2FQqkbaqcCA AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Bass/Schuler Entertainment • (773) -481-2600 bass-schuler.com
PETE LEE Pete Lee has packed venues at over 500 colleges and universities across the country. Pete has also been a standout on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and played a doctor on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns. He is a regular on the Bob and Tom radio show, and has a 30 minute special on Comedy Central. Most recently, he was a cast member on VH1’s Best Week Ever. PRICE RANGE: $2500-$2800 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Nationawide fill-in dates Nov 2015-2016 LINK TO VIDEO: http://www.thecollegeagency.com/artists/pete_lee.cfm AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Sue Boxrud, The College Agency • booking@thecollegeagency.com • (651) 222-9669
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LANDRY Landry is best recognized for his likeable hair, sprouting from charismatic follicles. He is a Canadian born interracial love child whose hybrid existence, when mixed with a little dysfunction, makes for a fantastic recipe of comedy goulash. He is the winner of both the Boston Comedy Festival and the World Series of Comedy but none of that matters so long as his mom thinks he's funny. With a smile that lights up a room and a personality to match, there is no telling what great things this young performer will achieve. PRICE RANGE: $2000-$5000 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE:Yes AREAS SOuGHT:Midwest, Southeast, Northeast September and October LINK TO VIDEO:: https://youtu.be/asE61V1oY0g AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Lee Mayer, Houla Entertainment 865-414-9266 leemayer@houlaentertainment.com BRIAN O’SULLIVAN Armed with an acoustic guitar and an unwavering comedic wit, Brian O’Sullivan has performed at colleges and clubs across the country including Second City, The Ice House Comedy Club, The Comedy Store and has been seen and heard on many TV and Radio Stations along the way. Brian has a natural connection with the young-adult crowd as his musical comedy explores pop culture and observations about the everyday life in a hilariously entertaining way. PRICE RANGE: $1400-$1800 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Nationwide October 2015-2016 LINK TO VIDEO:: http://www.thecollegeagency.com/artists/brian_osullivan.cfm AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Sue Boxrud, The College Agency • booking@thecollegeagency.com • (651) 222-9669 PRASHANTH VENKATARAMANUJAM With material covering an expansive range of his suburban roots, quick-witted banter about social conventions, the political atmosphere, racial tensions, with an added pinch of adolescent sarcasm, Prashanth Venkataramanujam or PKat is able to strike a chord that resonates with all audience members during his show. There’s no question that Prashanth comedy is raucous, it’s rabble-rousing, it’s the comedic equivalent of yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theater – except legal and hilarious. After years of performing at colleges and clubs for audiences as large as thirty- five hundred, Prashanth’s act is something you don’t want to miss! PRICE RANGE: $1501-$2500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Scattered dates Fall 2015 Nationwide but emphasis on West LINK TO VIDEO:: https://youtu.be/Xobdz9uhBfI AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Joyce Jiawan • joyce@metropolismanagement.com 877-536-5374
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DAPHNIQUE SPRINGS Daphnique Springs is a LA-based Comedienne who burst onto the comedy scene with wit and versatility. Ranging from personal experiences/subjects to social commentary, her material has a unique blend of witty and pointed sarcasm making her an audience favorite. From the stage, Daphnique conveys ease and a confidence that engages audiences and leads to an unpredictable, unprecedentedly hilarious show. Daphnique has opened For Martin Lawrence and toured with Katt Williams on his “Born Again...Again Tour”. PRICE RANGE: $1501-$2500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Fall 2015 Scattered Avails nationawide. Seeking dates in the West LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/embed/-uLnJ1NuPJu AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Joyce Jiawan • joyce@metropolismanagement.com 877-536-5374 ANDY ERIKSON Andy Erikson’s love of squirrels and unicorns is only surpassed by her love of performing standup comedy. She intertwines silly one liners with whimsical stories in a playful but thought provoking way. In 2009 Andy won the Aspen Rooftop College Comedy Festival and that same year she was a semi-finalist for the Andy Kaufman Award. In 2010 she took first place in the Funniest Person with a Day Job contest, AND first place in the Duluth’s funniest person competition. This Summer you saw her as a finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing. PRICE RANGE: $2000-$2500 + lodging CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Nationwide LINK TO VIDEO: https://player.vimeo.com/video/136023391 AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Chuck Johnson, Melissa Beer at Summit Comedy 800-947-0651 x1 SummitComedy.com ESTABAN GAST Esteban Gast is a Colombian-American comedian currently living in Illinois. After winning the University of Illinois stand-up comedy competition numerous times, he was hired by the University to open up for visiting comedians. After graduating, Esteban has featured in comedy clubs, performed in two comedy festivals and started touring colleges. He’s worked with Colin Jost (SNL) among many other comedians. Esteban is also a teacher, writer, speaker and actor who have has given a TEDx talk. PRICE RANGE: uP TO $1500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT:JAN OR APRIL 2016 MIDWEST LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/JbVqzflq-BA AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Wally's World of Entertainment 800-476-0442 www.houseofwally.com www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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DEREK HUGHES Fresh off of the 10th season of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT this summer, Derek Hughes is the entertainer who does it all! His show is eaqual parts comedy, magic and mentalism and 100% incredible! The New York Times called Derek Hughes “Thoroughly Entertaining!” and he has consulted for magician David Blaine, has been seen on CSI:NY, and has been seen in countless TV commercials for companies like Subaru and Taco Bell. PRICE RANGE: $2800-$3500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Anywhere on the country . Looking to fill Nov and into 2016 LINK TO VIDEO: AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Sue Boxrud, The College Agency • booking@thecollegeagency.com • (651) 222-9669 LUCAS BOHN LuCAS BOHN is energetic with an edge. The perfect blend of schoolboy charm and bad-boy charisma, his comedy is both smart and audacious. Lucas’ high-energy shows and hilarious impersonations make him an instant hit. With a supersize stage presence and the swagger of guys twice his size, Lucas is a comedic force to be reckoned with. PRICE RANGE: $1800 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: 3 of 5 $1500 5 of 7 $1250 AREAS SOuGHT: 9/15 Midwest; 10-12/15 Northeast; Special flat rate of $1250 for any school or theater in VA thru June 2016 LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmuEay6L5zu AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Rob Jockel, Cutting Edge Entertainment •rjockel@cuttingedgeentertain.com • (860) 693-9116 LORI PALMINTERI Lori Palminteri has been featured on FX’s “Louie,” “Live at Gotham” on AXS TV, Comedy Time TV, Elite Daily’s GenWhY, Sirius XM, and many festivals including Laugh Your Asheville Off, She-Devil, Laughing Skull, Laughing Devil, Boston Comedy Festival, and she was a finalist in Trail By Laughter in Indianapolis. Her wholesome “girl next door” looks and charm belie her quirky, often edgy style, which allows her to take audiences completely by surprise. Lori’s written work includes an animated sitcom pilot developed and written with SNL alumni, Jim Breuer. Lori is also a contributor and writer for Full Frontal Radio. PRICE RANGE: $900-$#1400 + travel and hotel CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Fill in for October 2015 and December 2015-March 2016 LINK TO VIDEO: http://youtu.be/G631YelD7zk AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Rob Jockel, Cutting Edge Entertainment •rjockel@cuttingedgeentertain.com • (860) 693-9116 28, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE®, COMEDY ISSUE 2015
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ALEX STONE • Appearing on the 2015 season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing • One of the New Faces at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in 2015 • Selected for the Best of the Midwest competition at the 2013 Gilda’s Laugh Fest and the 2014 Limestone Comedy Festival. PRICE RANGE:$1500-$2000 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE:Yes AREAS SOuGHT:Nationwide LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/GaDwYwbvIxM AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Bass/Schuler Entertainment • (773) -481-2600 bass-schuler.com
ANTHONY KAPFER Anthony Kapfer is a NYC comedian/musician. He has been seen on the FOX comedy TV show, Laughs. His comedy has also been featured on Sirius XM Radio, channel 99 Raw Dog Comedy. He has appeared on Naked News, in Canada. Anthony’s comedy can also be seen on Comedy Time TV on HULU, as well as the first episode of the PopcornFlix original series “Live at New York Comedy Club.” Anthony Kapfer released a stand up comedy E.P. with Comedy Records, March 10, 2015. It is available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and everywhere else digital music is sold. PRICE RANGE: $1500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: September, October, November, December 2015, and January February, March, April, and May 2016. inany part of the country LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/VvJpvh-hit0 AGENCY REPRESENTATION:Rob Jockel, Cutting Edge Entertainment •rjockel@cuttingedgeentertain.com • (860) 693-9116 JORDAN CARLOS Jordan starred in MTV’s hit show, I Just Want My Pants Back and was seen on MTV’s monster hits Guy Code, Girl Code and Guy Court. He can be seen on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. He tours the country doing what he loves, stand up comedy. The show was just picked up for a second season. PRICE RANGE: $2501-$5,000 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: YES AREAS SOuGHT: NATIONWIDE LINK TO VIDEO: <http://www.paradigmagency.com/promo-videos/JordanCarlosOFFTHECHAIN.mov> See it at campusactivitiesmagazine.com AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Sophie K Entertainment, Kate Magill kate@sophiek.com • toll free 877-664-8559
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KEVIN YEE Kevin Yee and his original comedy songs have been making people laugh across America and beyond! He is a recovering Broadway chorus boy (MARY POPPINS, WICKED, and MAMMA MIA), and a former member of Quincy Jones’ boy band YOUTH ASYLUM. He has several viral youtube music videos, and shares his sassy coming out story in the official IT GETS BETTER book published by Penguin books. http://www.kevinyee.com PRICE RANGE:$1500+ travel CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: $1350 + travel, $1250 + travel AREAS SOuGHT: touring nationwide LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jwr24r0a3yruflz/KevLiveReel2015.mov?dl=0%3E AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Sophie K Entertainment, Kate Magill kate@sophiek.com • toll free 877-664-8559 JEFF SCHEEN • Featured in Laughs TV series • Finalist at the 2015 Laughing Skull Fest • A regular at the Chicago Laugh Factory, zanies, and several independent come dian run shows including his own “This Weeks Show” in Wrigleyville • Showcased at The Cleveland Comedy Festival, Laugh your Asheville Off in North Carolina, and Laughfest in Grand Rapids Michigan PRICE RANGE:$1500-$2000 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: Yes AREAS SOuGHT: Available in all areas of the country LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/embed/MmGIRusc-fg" fr AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Bass/Schuler Entertainment • (773) -481-2600 bass-schuler.com SHENG WANG Sheng Wang is a Taiwanese Texan who appeared on his own half hour on Comedy Central and can be seen on this season of “Last Comic Standing”. Sheng is currently writing for ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat”. Recent TV appearances include “Totally Biased” and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”. PRICE RANGE: Negotiable CO OP RATES AVAILABLE:Yes AREAS SOuGHT:Nationwide LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/gCvBVX6CCpk AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Sophie K Entertainment, Kate Magill kate@sophiek.com • toll free 877-664-8559
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IVAN PECEL "Making Juggling Tolerable..." As funny as a stand up comic, and as skilled as a chinese acrobat, Ivan has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, America’s Got Talent, and the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” This is why he is a favorite among college campuses. Ivan’s show is guaranteed to change your mind about juggling. His comedy will have you rolling and his skills will have you amazed. If you didn’t love this art form before his show, you will after… or at least tolerate it… PRICE RANGE: $2000-$2500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: $1600-$1800 + Hotel & travel ANYWHERE AREAS SOuGHT: Open To All Dates LINK TO VIDEO: www.youtube.com/IvanPecel AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Fresh Variety/ Ivan Pecel.com Laura Gilman (603) 518=6783 • info@freshvariety.com GINA BRILLON This Bronx born Latina has no trouble connecting with her male or female fans with her raw honesty about everything from what it’s like being an “Ethnic” to a brutal breakdown of the female mind. Gina Brillon has her own one hour stand-up special, Pacifically Speaking and has been featured on E’s Chelsea Lately, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and Stand Up Revolution. Brillon was also seen in the Gabriel Iglesias movie, The Fluffy Movie. PRICE RANGE: $2500 + travel CO OP RATES AVAILABLE: $2200 + travel, 2000 + travel for routed dates AREAS SOuGHT: upstate new York in October LINK TO VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/95782735 AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Sophie K Entertainment, Kate Magill kate@sophiek.com • toll free 877-664-8559 FRANCISCO RAMOS Francisco Ramos is a bicultural and bilingual comedian, having performed in both English and Spanish. Francisco was been chosen to be part of NBC's current season of "Last Comic Standing" where he made it as a top 10 Semi-finalist. He’s also in Steve Carrel’s new show “Tribeca,” airing this fall on TBS. Francisco has also appeared in the Byron Allen show "First Family,” as well as been on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has also used his voice to create memorable characters in animation as the voice of the King Marmoset in the movie "RIO" as well as for the film Marmaduke. PRICE RANGE: $2000-$2500 CO OP RATES AVAILABLE:Yes AREAS SOuGHT:Nationwide LINK TO VIDEO: https://player.vimeo.com/video/136930439 AGENCY REPRESENTATION: Chuck Johnson, Melissa Beer at Summit Comedy 800-947-0651 x1 SummitComedy.com
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If you have ever called the offices of Bass/Schuler Entertainment, you know two things: first, that the agency does not believe in automated answering systems during office hours, and second, that Rachel Wolfson is your best resource for just about anything you need. If she can’t answer your question or get you the materials you seek, she can get you right to the person who can. Part of that is just who she is, a dedicated professional who wants to help, and another part of that is experience. This month we celebrate Rachel’s ten-year anniversary with Bass/Schuler.
A native of Highland Park, Illinois, Rachel served an internship with BSE in the fall of 2005 as she was wrapping up coursework for a degree in Recreation & Park Management at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Learning that a permanent position in the agency was opening up, she wasted no time in expressing an interest and took the job of Assistant to the Office Manager. Within three years, Rachel was a co-manager and for the past nearly four years, she has been the sole office manager. In that capacity, she has become the glue that holds it all together. Rachel said once that part of the reason she wanted to remain at Bass/Schuler all those years ago was because she liked the fact that she could come into work with pink hair. Her hair has been a variety of colors since then; she likes to mix things up. Outside of the office, she loves to cook and play softball (usually not at the same time, though you never know with Rachel). She has been known to play Mahjong on a fairly regular basis as well. However, it is her big heart and her incredible memory that have made her a standout at BSE. Chris Schuler, agent and vice-president of Bass/Schuler, says “Who needs Siri when you have Rachel around?! Her encyclopedic knowledge of not only our roster, but of thousands of clients we work with is astounding. She has the ability to make everyone that calls the office feel right at home and she’s mastered the intricate contracting processes that so many colleges are required to use. The challenging work she tackles daily with speed and precision is unprecedented. “ For example, when the State of Georgia (Schuler’s territory) made changes to its contracting system some time ago, Rachel spent an entire evening at home taking an online seminar to learn the procedure and requirements for doing business with that state’s schools.
Scott Bass, agent and president of Bass/Schuler, chimes in “I don't know of another person, other than Rachel, that could possibly handle the absurd amount of bureaucratic paperwork we must process for the markets we work in. We generate thousands of dates each year and Rachel oversees each and every contract, rider, tax form, etc. No one can do this like she can. Rachel takes care of crossing all the t’s and dotting all the i’s so that the agents can focus on booking. I do not believe our competitors have this kind of luxury. At the same time, she has built relationships with so many of our contacts. When our clients have a question in regards to a contract, they often call Rachel. And so many have told me how much they appreciate the friendly service they receive from her. When they need something "yesterday," Rachel has it for them immediately...and always with a kind note attached. She is simply invaluable to Bass/Schuler. We love her, and are so happy and grateful to be celebrating her ten years with us.” Thank you, Rachel, for all that you do for BSE, its artists and clients. Congratulations on this anniversary and here’s looking to another ten years!
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CAMPuS ACTIVITIES MAGAzINE®, COMEDY ISSuE 2015, 35
2015/16 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE NACA SOUTH OCT 1-4 Chattanooga TN NACA CENTRAL OCT 5-8 Tulso OK
NACA MID ATLANTIC October 22-25 NACA MID AMERICA Oct 29-Nov 4 NACA NE NOV 5-8 Hartford CT
NACA WEST Nov 12-15 Spokane WA
NACA NATIONALS FEB 20-24 LOUISVILLE KY
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AGENCY: CUTTING EDGE ENTERTAINMENT AGENT: ROB JOCKEL
AEP NATIONAL CONFERENCE JUNE 2016 Dates TBA LAS VEGAS NV SOUTH POINT CASINO
36, CAMPuS ACTIVITIES MAGAzINE速, COMEDY ISSuE 2015
www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
Burns Gets High Marks For AEP Showcase
If you have been lucky enough to see Jonathan Burns showcase at a college conference, you know what he does is unusual to stay the least.
had gotten traction on shows like “The Voice” , “America’s Got Talent” and others.
Campus Activities Magazine® sponsored the first Young Artist Showcase ever at AEP which featured seven of the top campus performers but other campus talent was offered up throughout the other showcases.
Jonathan’s showcase at the 2015 AEP conference had all the buyers talking - many were trying to find a way to use his unusual skills.
Contortionist is not exactly the right word to describe his show but it will do in a pinch and both he and Daniel Martin had the audience in awe. Campus acts have done very well with AEP buyers of late and this year there were a number of top college agencies looking to propel their acts into different markets to get them more national recognition.
Agencies on board this year were Cutting Edge Entertainment, who walked home with the Rising Star deal for Lindsay Bentley but showcased other exceptional acts. Then Houla Entertainment got the most showcases for a number of impressive musical acts who
Ran ‘d Shine picked up a date at The Newberry Opera House, and GP Entertainment offered up the Dinner showcase for the Moon Family Psychic Experience.
Bass-Schuler Entertainment had Daniel Martin on tap to wow the buyers and Sophie K Entertainment, who struck gold at the 2014 conference with John Cassidy, showcased Erin Jackson who was well received.
OOPS!
It has come to our attention that MICHAEL KENT was not included in the Dean’s List 2015 for the Best Artist Report Cards due to a glitch in the system. Michael actually scored a 34.70 average out of a possible 35.00. This means he would have placed SEVENTH on the Dean’s List which would have qualified him for GOLD status for 2014/15 Michael is represented by Fresh Variety. Please consider him when you are booking shows for the coming year, because his show is truly outstanding.
Other Sponsors this year included: • Carnival Cruise Lines • George Lopez’ Punchliner Comedy Clubs • American Entertainment Magazine • EastCoast Entertainment • The Higa Group • Banta Creative • TalentPlus Universal • Cameo Publishing Group • Miss-n-Scene Productions
AEP is scheduled to be back at South Point again next year because artists and agents really enjoyed the classy facility and the affordable price. The exact dates will be confirmed in the fall.
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE® Comedy issue 2015 A CAMEO PUBLICATION PO BOX 509 PROSPERITY SC 29127-0509 Change Service Requested
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