Behind the bar at the #NCCAF Standup Afterparty. #itsjustwhatido #partyhustle (@ DSI Comedy Theater) http://t.co/CrqcpmMf 1 hr agoFollow Zach on Twitter

Posts Tagged ‘Boston’

May
12

Next stop, Boston!

On May 5th I accepted my new job as Managing Director of ImprovBoston. The week since has been a whirlwind of packing and planning for myself and Jessica, considering options for DSI Comedy Theater, and OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS! Wait, before I continue, you should read THE ANNOUNCEMENT!

DSI Comedy Fans can rest assured, North Carolina will enjoy the same quality comedy classes and weekly performances that they have come to expect from DSI. My #Hustle and our local company wouldn’t have it any other way. I will stay Executive Producer, but the theater will be under new management starting this Summer. And Lord knows NCCAF (@nccomedyarts) can’t stop and won’t stop, So get ready for 2012!

We’ve already confirmed Second City and are partnering with Carolina Theatre to present Mike Birbiglia!

My publicist Carrie Gorn released the Boston news to press while I recorded a surprise curtain speech.

I know, I could have slowed down. I just didn’t have an audience and I was excited about THE ANNOUNCEMENT!

I am offline for most of the weekend, but I wanted to thank everyone for being so supportive and for all the congratulations. YES! AND! Accepting the job as Managing Director is an incredible career opening for me and a great challenge for the ZW #Hustle, it’s a critical growth move for an already successful organization like ImprovBoston and it’s a real opportunity for my company of performers, teachers and directors at DSI Comedy Theater to step up and grab leadership positions, to defy logic, exceed expectations and continue to make a significant impact on the community, audiences, students and each other.

I ended my official ImprovBoston job announcement news to DSI Company Members earlier this week with this next paragraph, and I think, if you’re from a different improv community, or maybe even a company that just operates like a family, you could change a few details and it might still be appropriate for you.

There is a world-famous comedy theater open for business on a loading dock, behind a diner and near some sketchy railroad tracks, in a small town where you would least expect it. Let’s work hard to keep it that way. For a lot of people, myself included, that place has become a second home.

I would “officially” like to thank coffee, @garyvee and #vampiremode for making this possible.

I would actually like to thank the Board of Directors and Staff at ImprovBoston, you know, for the job.

But, most of all, I would really like to thank my future wife Jessica, not only for agreeing to marry me, but for packing up her life and agreeing to move with me to Boston, so I could do what I love to do.

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Posted in improv, leadership, personal | 1 Comment »

Mar
11

Women in Comedy Festival

I landed in Boston on Thursday for the Women in Comedy Festival (quick easy jetBlue flight despite the woman with the baby who cried constantly while throwing up violently right behind me).

Ahhhh, Motherhood! Female Comedy, Right? (jokes)

I’m no stranger to ImprovBoston; I’m here on a regular basis for improv workshops and comedy events like the Boston Improv Festival, but I cannot say enough about this festival. Incredible lineups and such a WARM reception. Everything the WICF Team has been able to accomplish in just a few years (did you see the Headliner lineup above?) should be recognized and celebrated.

I’ll go on record and say my entire trip was worth it just to see Somebody’s in the Doghouse. Leah Gotcsik and Marty Johnson are one of the most incredible female comedy duos I’ve ever seen perform — Smart, Twisted, and Extremely Committed — just a blast to watch. I was laughing (LOUDLY) for the entirety of their show. I also enjoyed Delilah Dix (Amy Albert) and was excited to see old friend Micah Sherman perform with both Myq Kaplan and Zach Sherwin (MC Mr Napkins).

I’m looking forward to another night of shows.

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Posted in Comedy, festival production | 1 Comment »

Sep
13

Do You Guarantee Quality

I am writing to officially declare WAR on the excuses amateur performers often give after off shows and the way theater critics often describe improv comedy either to explain why they are NOT going to send someone out or to preface negative OR positive coverage — “Well, some improv shows just don’t hit” … “Everybody has an off night” or the most sad comment “IMPROV CAN BE GOOD OR BAD. You never know.”

No, No, NO. Improv is rarely good OR bad. Bad improv is BAD, Good improv is often good, rarely bad. Great improv is ALWAYS good, and often Amazing. So stop selling the magic trick. The death-defying theater without-a-net analogy cheapens the work we do on stage. Sell the payoff. Laughter. EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I was at the Boston Improv Festival this weekend and on Friday night I was asked to help a group of three people at the bar with my recommendation on a show. I looked at the schedule and immediately knew where to point them. They wanted a 9 or 930 — But I suggested 10pm because Junior Varsity was performing and I knew I could guarantee quality. JV are Great improv. I promised my new friends that I would personally refund the price paid for the tickets. Junior Varsity was Amazing. READ: I was able to keep my money.

I have guaranteed quality at DSI for years.

My duo SENIOR PGA warms up outside, and when people ask what’s going on I gladly stop and explain. If they seem even slightly interested I offer them a money back guarantee. “Go see the show. Trust me. WE ARE HILARIOUS! And if you don’t like the show I’ll personally refund your tickets.” I follow-up with a ‘you know where to find me’ joke and 90% of people take me up on the recommendation.

I have never had to refund any tickets.

For sales in business, a guarantee makes for low risk and when your customer makes the buying decision they actually WANT to enjoy themselves and be satisfied by the product so the psychology of the guarantee works in our favor as soon as we hit the stage to “deliver our goods” — What do you think?

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Posted in business, improv | No Comments »