Welcome to Pam Bruno's Comedy Website
Comedians, Etc!
Interviews below, in our Archives of Comedians(in alphabetical order by first name) --
Chello Davis
Daniel Reskin
Dominic Perenzin
Lisa Corrao
Richy Lala
R-Jay
Sisqo Duran & Gene Harding
Chello Davis
PB - How long have you been doing comedy? When did you start hosting open mics/booked shows?
Chello - Been doing Comedy 8 years
Just Went Full time Comedy a little over a Year ago...
Just Went Full time Comedy a little over a Year ago...
PB - What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
Chello - I was Class Clown in High School so they asked me & a friend to Host the School talent show and I fell in Love with it...
PB - What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Chello - Too many to list but being able to meet and shake hands with Big Name Comedians whom I have aways admired (Steve Harvey,Ced the Entertainer,Sommore, Mike Epps, Rickey Smiley & Bruce Bruce)
PB - Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
Chello - What has helped me the most is just staying on stage! I think u should grow a little after every show...My Comedy Career has been like raising a baby! Having to feed, nuture and protect it etc..
PB - Any other comments you would like to add?
Chello - To anyone who is in the Comedy Rat Race KEEP PUSHING YOUR TIME IS COMING!!
PB - Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
Chello- Blue Magic, every Tuesday, located at Gaby's lounge, at Hiatus and Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL, doors open 8 pm, Free before 9:00
Thank you, Chello! All success to you in your career!
Daniel Reskin!!
PB- How long have you been doing comedy? When did you start hosting open mics/booked shows?
Daniel- Three years, since early 2007. I started hosting my room, Casa de Ha-ha, in September 2008.
PB- What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
Daniel- Before I moved back home to Miami, I started comedy in Tampa. I was getting up once or twice a month, and even as a newbie you know that's not nearly enough. So I got a job working lights and sound at the local comedy club, Side Splitters. Now I was the guy who welcomed the crowd, told them to shut off their phones, made a lousy joke like - please no sex in the bathrooms... unless it's *current day*... and then introduce the emcee. Which kind of made me the TRUE host, right? It was two minutes from a dark spot in the back of the room and I was nervous as hell.
A year later in Miami, I'd heard enough “comic talk” to know hosting your own room is delicious kibble for a hungry, growing comic. The final kick in the tuchus was from my sister Lauren, the entrepreneur of Sweat Records, where it all goes down. It's a perfect venue plus I get a family discount.
PB- What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Daniel- Having a room is like having a comedy home base. I get guaranteed stage time every month, I get to experiment and tweak any aspect of the show, and I get to know some amazing comedians. And this goes double now that I'm getting the hang of things and not looking towards the night with hellish crippling dread.
PB- Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
Daniel- Hosting is cool, but it's different than the freedom of going out to another night and just doing your set. I feel like my sets at Casa de Ha-ha are some of my most challenging, which is a nice way to say sucky. I can't just prepare my material and go, there's a lot more to handle, I can over think things. I'm not complaining! It's like training with weighted clothing, which is a badass kung fu thing to do. It makes me a stronger comic.
PB- Any other comments you would like to add?
Daniel- Casa de Ha-ha's line-ups have been getting obese, it's lame to tell somebody they can have a spot in 2 or 3 months. If all goes well I'm going to start another Casa every 4th Tuesday, but instead of a booked showcase this one will be an open-mic sign-up. Yay stage time.
PB- Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out! Thanks so much for doing what you are doing for the South Florida scene!
Daniel- Casa de Ha-ha is the 2nd Tuesday of every month, at 8:30(ish). It's at Sweat Records 5505 Ne 2nd Ave.
Daniel- Three years, since early 2007. I started hosting my room, Casa de Ha-ha, in September 2008.
PB- What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
Daniel- Before I moved back home to Miami, I started comedy in Tampa. I was getting up once or twice a month, and even as a newbie you know that's not nearly enough. So I got a job working lights and sound at the local comedy club, Side Splitters. Now I was the guy who welcomed the crowd, told them to shut off their phones, made a lousy joke like - please no sex in the bathrooms... unless it's *current day*... and then introduce the emcee. Which kind of made me the TRUE host, right? It was two minutes from a dark spot in the back of the room and I was nervous as hell.
A year later in Miami, I'd heard enough “comic talk” to know hosting your own room is delicious kibble for a hungry, growing comic. The final kick in the tuchus was from my sister Lauren, the entrepreneur of Sweat Records, where it all goes down. It's a perfect venue plus I get a family discount.
PB- What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Daniel- Having a room is like having a comedy home base. I get guaranteed stage time every month, I get to experiment and tweak any aspect of the show, and I get to know some amazing comedians. And this goes double now that I'm getting the hang of things and not looking towards the night with hellish crippling dread.
PB- Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
Daniel- Hosting is cool, but it's different than the freedom of going out to another night and just doing your set. I feel like my sets at Casa de Ha-ha are some of my most challenging, which is a nice way to say sucky. I can't just prepare my material and go, there's a lot more to handle, I can over think things. I'm not complaining! It's like training with weighted clothing, which is a badass kung fu thing to do. It makes me a stronger comic.
PB- Any other comments you would like to add?
Daniel- Casa de Ha-ha's line-ups have been getting obese, it's lame to tell somebody they can have a spot in 2 or 3 months. If all goes well I'm going to start another Casa every 4th Tuesday, but instead of a booked showcase this one will be an open-mic sign-up. Yay stage time.
PB- Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out! Thanks so much for doing what you are doing for the South Florida scene!
Daniel- Casa de Ha-ha is the 2nd Tuesday of every month, at 8:30(ish). It's at Sweat Records 5505 Ne 2nd Ave.
Dominic Perenzin!
PB-How long have you been doing comedy? When did you start hosting open mics/booked shows?
Dominic- I been doing comedy for a little over a year and been hosting rooms for a year now.
PB- What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
Dominic -I found a need for rooms to develop new comics. Decided with the help of some of my friends to set rooms up.
PB- What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Dominic- I really enjoy giving back to the community and seeing comics develop.
PB- Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
Dominic- I think that there is no other way to get better as a comic than stage time. I have been able to go on stage much more and think that it has really helped me with stage confort and working out material. Another perk is that you learn the business side of comedy which is equaly as important as the performace part.
PB- Any other comments you would like to add?
Dominic- I think that south Florida Comics community is exeptional and have made lifetime friends. I hope that in some years it grows and becomes one of the most respected scenes in country
PB- Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
Dominic- I been doing comedy for a little over a year and been hosting rooms for a year now.
PB- What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
Dominic -I found a need for rooms to develop new comics. Decided with the help of some of my friends to set rooms up.
PB- What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Dominic- I really enjoy giving back to the community and seeing comics develop.
PB- Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
Dominic- I think that there is no other way to get better as a comic than stage time. I have been able to go on stage much more and think that it has really helped me with stage confort and working out material. Another perk is that you learn the business side of comedy which is equaly as important as the performace part.
PB- Any other comments you would like to add?
Dominic- I think that south Florida Comics community is exeptional and have made lifetime friends. I hope that in some years it grows and becomes one of the most respected scenes in country
PB- Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
Dominic- I run the Have Nots Comedy Showcase which runs weekly at Buck 15. Every Friday at 9pm. I can be reached on Facebook or for booking at hncsbooking@gmail.com.
Also, I have a weekly room called The Comedy Inn at The Quality Inn in Miami, 14501 S Dixie Hwy. Every Friday at 9 pm.
Just started a Saturday night show at Jokeys and Grumpys, at 157th and 72nd. And once a month at Champions Sports Bar, 1201 NW LeJeune Road, Miami.
PB-You have been a comic for about 5 years. When did you start hosting open mics?
Lisa- I started hosting within the first few months of starting comedy simply because I worked so hard and really wanted the experience (aka money…even if it’s a little bit, you feel so cool when you first start getting some money for telling jokes). There is always a demand for enthusiastic hosts. I’ll admit that I really sucked at it when I started. I mean, sucked big-time. In the beginning, I even thought that maybe I didn’t have the right act, persona, or energy on stage to be a good host. Luckily, I kept getting work and was able to figure it all out. That being said, when you suck in a nice club, they aren’t going to want you back for awhile…so be careful where you learn your skills (which means “where you bomb”). I suggest hosting shows in small venues when you’re new at it, or even better, start your own room.
PB- What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
I started going to as many open mics as I could. Eventually, the venues started to notice me…even when I wasn’t getting the biggest crowd response, I always tried to have original material. Writing is very important to me, and people within the business respect that. Clubs started asking me to host, and I began hosting open mics which led to paid positions. It’s just like advancing in any other business…you work hard and work your way up the ladder one step at a time. I wanted to emcee because I felt it was necessary to learn how to become good at hosting to get to the next level in comedy. I realized that my friends who were featuring were also strong emcees.
PB- What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Lisa- The relationships and contacts that you make are invaluable. If you’re a great host, the clubs will want you because you will make the show look professional and in-turn, help to make everyone look good. As a competent host, you’re eventually going to get to work with the top people in the business. If they really like you and your act, there is a good chance that they will request you next time, bring you on the road, or recommend you to clubs, bookers, and agents. Thanks to hosting, I’ve gotten to work with some of my favorite comedians like Greg Fitzsimmons, Tom Rhodes, Doug Benson, Jim Breuer, Christopher Titus and so many more.
PB- Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate
Lisa- Absolutely! First, you learn crowd control. You’re the one in charge of getting everyone to listen and focus on the performers, and you’ll be the first one dealing with hecklers or rowdy parties. You essentially have to learn creative ways to tell people to shut-up and yet still be likable! It’s so important to be likable as a host…you’re the one welcoming everyone to the show.
Next, you’ll get to polish both your crowd work and improv skills. It is often necessary to be able to respond to things off-the-cuff right up front to either settle people down or comment on something obvious in the room. I once did a charity show that began after a tearful story about a boy who died that day. The comedians were shaking in their boots, because the crowd was in the mood to cry instead of laugh. I went up and got a round of applause for the women who told the sad story, and as the clapping died down, I said, “Worst opening act ever!” Everyone laughed, and it completely broke the tension in the room making it a launching pad for joke-telling. The show was great for everyone and the rest of the comedians thanked me for saving what could have been an awkward night. Before I was a good host, I would have gone up and not mentioned the awkwardness, hoping it would just go away. Believe me, it would have been awful…I’ve been there before!
Also, you’ll be surprised at how much it will strengthen your material. You’re going to need your best jokes to get their attention right off the bat, so it forces you to find those hard-hitting punchlines. Remember, the host is getting the crowd when they’re cold. You’re the one who has to get them laughing first!
Finally, you’ll learn the importance of running a show on time. Audiences, no matter how good, get tired and it will often be your job to manage the time in a show…make sure you wear a good watch because you may even be in charge of lighting the other acts, so that the headliner is up there when the energy in the room is peaking. It’s his/her show and you want to do whatever you can to help them have a great one. You’ll appreciate a good host when you’re headlining!
PB-Any other comments you would like to add?
Lisa- Get good at hosting if you want to be a comedian! You will learn how to control an audience, get good at crowd work, and meet lots of great contacts in the industry. I first thought I’d never be good at it, but with a positive attitude, I’ve become great at it over the years and it has only helped my career. A great book with hosting basics is “How Not To Suck as an Emcee” by Dan Rosenberg. I highly recommend it.
PB- Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out! Thanks so much for doing what you are doing for the South Florida scene!
Lisa- The next show that I’m excited about is “Bad Movie Night” at the Ft. Lauderdale Improv on Thursday, July 22nd. As a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000, I’ve always wanted to have a night like this. We are going to watch a crappy movie on the big screen and enjoy popcorn while 3 comedians (myself, Forrest Shaw, and Casey Peruski) make LIVE running commentary on the movie. Think of it as controlled, professional heckling. It should be a lot of fun!
Otherwise, you can always see my schedule at www.LisaCorrao.com.
PB -- Lisa!! Thanks so much for your helpful and illuminating comments. AND for what you are doing for the South Florida Comedy Scene!!
Richy Lala!!
PB: You have been a comic for 5 years. When did you start hosting open mics?
Richy: I've been in entertainment since I was 7 yrs old. I began hosting Open Mics and Comedy shows about 2 months into my comedy career, speciffically because there werent enough places for me to get up and practice.
PB: Why did you decide to be a host?
PB: Why did you decide to be a host?
Richy: Look at response for number 1....Besides starting my own shows which ive hosted, owners often approach me to host their shows because I reach a wide variety of topics...most people can relate to the material i discuss.
PB: What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
PB: What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Richy: I'd have to say the most rewarding part of hosting is the other opportunities that come my way...ive been fortunate enough to be in a handful of tv shows from random producers seeing me host. Also, being able to see new comics and other performance artists grow.
PB: Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic?
PB: Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic?
Richy:
Hosting helps me as a comic greatly...im confident that I can handle any situation and/or crowd that may cross my path due to the amount of shows that ive performed in...only 5 yrs into it and im proud to say that ive got just about 1500 shows under my belt.
PB: Any other comments you would like to add?
Richy: No matter how big a star you get, there is always room to get bigger and better, and open mics are a perfect way to work out new, and old material.
PB: Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
PB: Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
Richy: You can check out my ever changing schedule @ www.facebook.com/Richylala , or catch me every single wed night at the Funky Buddha in Boca, hosting their Charity All Arts Open Mic...which ive been hosting coming up on 2 yrs
PB: Thank you, Richy!! Richy's facebook link:
R-Jay!!!
PB: You have been a comic for 3 years. When did you start hosting open mics?
R-Jay: About 7 months into my career as a comic.
PB: Why did you decide to be a host? or What circumstances led to your becoming a host if it wasn't a conscious decision?
PB: Why did you decide to be a host? or What circumstances led to your becoming a host if it wasn't a conscious decision?
R-Jay: I was approached by club owners.
PB: What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
PB: What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
R-Jay: To see new up & coming comics grow, which I've been very blessed to have seen with my very own eyes.
PB: Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
PB: Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
R-Jay: Hosting has tremendously helped me. It's next to impossible to use the same jokes every week infront of the same audience. So coming up with new jokes & acts helps me grow as a comic.
PB: Any other comments you would like to add?
PB: Any other comments you would like to add?
R-Jay: Laughter Is Good For The Soul :-)
PB: Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
PB: Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
R-Jay: Each & every Friday inside of The Comedy Room 1401 South State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.
R-Jay thanks so much for doing what you are doing for the South Florida scene!
Sisqo Duran and Gene Harding
Questions for both Gene and Sisqo:
PB - How long have you been a comic?
When did you start hosting open mics/shows?
Gene- I have been a comic for 2 1/2 yrs and started hosting open mics at the Hardrock Improv about a year after starting comedy
Sisqo - I've been a comic for 1 year.. I started hosting when I was 6 months into the Game..
PB- What circumstances led to your becoming a host?
Gene -Hosting is just part of the hierarchy of comedy. Hosting allows u to try new things which helps add time to your set. Then u graduate to featuring, then headlining.
Gene -Hosting is just part of the hierarchy of comedy. Hosting allows u to try new things which helps add time to your set. Then u graduate to featuring, then headlining.
Sisqo-I am a perfectionist so I try constantly to get better at what I do, and I felt that I needed as much stage time as possible and traveling so much for only 5 minutes was not going to cut it.
PB- What has been the most rewarding experience you have had as a result of hosting?
Gene- The greatest thing about hosting is getting another hosting job :)
Sisqo- Man... My fans are awesome, I had shows that I thought people would not show up, but then I'd have a packed house with people ready to explode laughing! Money couldn't amount to see people enjoy what we do...
PB- Would you say it has helped your skills as a comic? If so, please elaborate.
Gene- F'sho hosting helps. The burden of being the funniest is less as a host but the burden of keeping the show together is greatest. It's a catch 22 but hosting defninitely builds your show.
Gene- F'sho hosting helps. The burden of being the funniest is less as a host but the burden of keeping the show together is greatest. It's a catch 22 but hosting defninitely builds your show.
Sisqo- HELL YEA.. Theres no better growth that strengthen your hosting abilities cause I believe the host has the hardest job, Headlining is the second hardest.
PB- Any other comments you would like to add?
Gene- Viva la Florida Comedy!!! And good lookin' out, Sisqo!!! And Pam, this is awesome! Mad love!!
Gene- Viva la Florida Comedy!!! And good lookin' out, Sisqo!!! And Pam, this is awesome! Mad love!!
Sisqo- I hope that south Florida's comics can come together and make this a great place for comedy, the only way to do that is supporting and growing. I would like to thank and appreciate some ppl, Monte Benjamin, because he inspired me into the right direction comedic wise, Theresa Carisimi for always believing in me, and Gene Harding for always having my back he is like a brother to me...
PB- Please tell us where and when you have shows, so we can get the word out!
Gene- Sisqo and I have a room on every Sunday at Stage 84 in Davie. We're hoping to get it EVERY Sunday. And I will start hosting open mics real soon in Miami. Stay tuned on my facebook page: Gene Harding!!!
Sisqo-For future shows visit:
Thanks so much to Gene Harding and Sisqo Duran for your contributions to the South Florida comedy scene!