Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Geo Wagner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Geo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Being a smart a*s most of my life lent itself to stand up comedy. It was a small step to the stage. The biggest obstacle was, and still is, my ability to just lose all inhibitions and let go on stage. I still haven’t completely overcome that challenge. You just have to commit to the grind. Hit the stage over and over, listening to the audience and adapting. If I could go back, I would expand my area of performing sooner. Going outside my local area was really eye opening. A new audience reacting to your comedy tells you so much. When you are performing over and over, the local community, the laughs will fall off because they have heard the jokes. A new area brings you a completely new audience hearing you for the first time, and you get to see what works. The most important thing a comedian needs is a thick skin. Not everyone will be a positive influence, sometimes you need to let it go and move on or it can be a drag on you.
Geo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve been a geek as far back as I can remember, an early adopter in the personal computer world and started a computer software store at the age of 18. That laid the groundwork for the work I do today. My father brought me up with the belief that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. I often say that if it weren’t for food, shelter, and clothing, I’d do what I do for free. The vast majority of my business is word of mouth, which is probably the best testament to my work. My day job is a technology trainer, tech support, and developer. I have been in the creative field in one way or another for over 30 years. Adding stand up comedy really sort of makes sense. Just another avenue to explore my creative side. As much as my personal success means, I also am a firm believer in idea that “a rising tide lifts all boats”. In business, I surrounded myself with others who I felt embodied similar traits. People who put others first, knowing that personal success does NOT depend on others’ failure. We can all succeed, we can all share in opportunities. When I started in stand up, I came across comedians who just had it. They made it look effortless. And I won’t say I was not envious, but I definitely was not jealous. I found myself talking them up because I wanted to see them succeed. Chris Wilson, who introduced us, is one such comedian. I have a production company, Button Down Comedy, that produces shows. I try to provide opportunities for local comedians to get to perform and, most importantly, get paid a decent fee for their craft. All too often, comedians are viewed and insignificant and are misused because they are made to believe we are replaceable. Comedy is a necessity of life, crucial to surviving the trials and tribulations. We should not abuse or diminish it
If people only remember one thing about me, it’s not my work or my humor that I want them to remember, it is my heart. The more we help one another, the more we help ourselves.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Whether talking about my business or my comedy, it’s all about the reaction of the audience. In my work, it’s the knowledge that when my clients pay me, they do so gladly. It’s not a bill, it’s an investment in their business or personal growth. Getting paid with a smile on a client’s face is the best part.
In comedy, my best night was not when the big audience laughed, although that is wonderful, it’s when someone comes up to me, out of the blue, when I’m on the street, or at karaoke. When they walk up and ask, aren’t you that comedian? You were great. When there is no expectation for a compliment, you didn’t just walk off stage, they didn’t have to say a word, but they do, That is a shot of adrenaline. That is what makes it all worthwhile
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Two of the high points of my comedy career happened just after two of my lowest points. One night I got into an argument with one of the producers of an open mic. I was consistently put up at the end of the night, after virtually everyone had left, sometimes to an empty room. Even though I had been told that should not always be the case, it had been. I was told I needed to “work on my shit”. I asked how to do that without an audience. I almost chucked it all that night. The next day, I went to watch a friend’s show and skipped that night’s open mic. After the show, I decided to swing over to the mic. It was closing out, and the host caught my eye and asked if I wanted to perform. So I decided to take the stage. As I walked up, 4 of the 6 audience members left. But I have performed to an empty room, so it didn’t change anything for me. But, as fate would have it, about a minute in, 8 people came in from the other part of the bar. They were in the mood for comedy. Normally, the host give us 6-8 minutes, but since I was last, he let me go for almost 12 minutes. At this stage of my comedy career, I didn’t even think I had 12 minutes. So, the set came to an end and he announced that was the end. But this crowd was not ready for it to end and wanted more. The host asked me if I could do more. I said I could probably do a little more. I was pulling out every joke I could think of, even premises that had not been fully fleshed out. Managed another 11 minutes. After I got off stage, I was surrounded by several from the audience who wanted to buy me a drink, shoved a $5 bill in my pocket and thanked me for the great show. This night, regardless of any future success I have, will be my best night in comedy. It will also be a testament to not giving up and not letting others dictate your success
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/geowagner
- Instagram: ComedyGeo
- Facebook: @Geo.BD.Comedy
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/george-wagner-56350833
- Twitter: @gwagner555
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComedyGeoW
- Other: IG ButtondownComedy
FB @ButtonDownComedy
[email protected]
TikTok @comedygeow
[email protected]
