A Chicago Comedian for Your Company Party

Paul Frisbie

Company Parties and Special Events
Everybody has different tastes in things like music, art and theater. We can help and advise you, but we suggest that consider your audience and the purpose of the show before you make an entertainment decision. What appeals to you personally -- say, rap music -- may not be everyone's cup of tea.

As a general rule, a clean and clever comedian or magician appeals to just about everyone. Whether you're planning to reward your employees with a company party or building relationships with clients at a special event, that's the way to play it safe.

In addition to straight ahead entertainment, we get many inquiries about motivational speakers. Be aware that most motivational speaking is a flim-flam artist's game. Lots of platitudes; no original thought. We'll gladly refer you to whomever you like. But we'd prefer you steer you towards unique and rewarding experiences.

Life is short. Whether your needs are in entertainment, information or motivation, make your event a memory that your audience won't soon forget.

When in doubt, of course, hire a comedian.

Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: Points to Consider
1. Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: Small Audiences are OK
Experienced entertainers don't care how big your audience is. In the same month a comic like Paul Frisbie may apear at a county fair for an audience of 5000 and an office party with an audience of 40. Every show is different, and and any comedian will tell you that's half the fun. If your audience will be small, there's no need to worry about it. The comedian won't care.

2. Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: Travel Expenses
Travel is part of the comedy business, and entertainers don't mind doing it. But if you're hiring a comedian for your company party, and you're not located in a major city with professional local acts, you can expect to budget for travel expenses and a hotel room.

3. Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: Costs
In any business experience and skill command a higher price. Most people want to hire a comedian who can be very funny without using potty humor. Sadly, many entertainers can't do that. The one who who can are in high demand.

You'll get a better price if you're hiring a comedian for a weekday show, or if the entertainer finds your location to be convenient travel routing for another show that's already on the books.

4. Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: Personalizing the Show
Audiences like it when a comedian tosses out a few jokes that were clearly written for that evening's event. A comedian will welcome it if you call in advance to talk about your group.

5. Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: The Material
It's a large country, and some of us have strongly-held religious beliefs that aren't quite in line with mainstream culture. If you have special needs -- perhaps you're offended by the Harry Potter books, for example, or you think that it's sinful to celebrate Christmas -- you'll want to choose an entertainer who shares your views and specializes in that market niche. If necessary, we can refer you to one of them.

6. Hiring Your Company Party Comedian: Common Pitfalls
-- Comedy is theater. It works if people are paying attention. It's not a good investesment if there areb other things going on at the same time. If people are still having dinner they won't focus. Do not hire a comedian to entertain during dinner. A comedy show should only begin after dinner is cleared away.
-- Provide a microphone stand. Many of the inexperienced acts you see performing on Comedy Central grasp the microphone like it's a life preserver. But experienced professionals like to have their hands free.
3. If the only thing available is a wireless microphone, you'll want to change the battery before the show.