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| Nutt Street Comedy Room Owner and Cape Fear Comedy Festival Co-Founder Timmy Sherrill |
Q: What do you look for when picking comics for The Cape Fear Comedy Festival?
A: When booking comedians for the Nutt St Comedy Room, or for the Cape Fear Comedy Festival, it is important to me that I am choosing comedians that will not only benefit the venue, but also bring a unique experience to the audiences. I approach each submission with an open mind. I can tell almost immediately, within the first few jokes, if the comic fits my venue, or has a very unique style. If I am on the fence with a comic, I will watch the video three or four times during different times of the day. That way, I feel that I am giving them a fair shot, and it's not based on the mood that I was in when I originally watched it.
I look for a unique style, smart comedy, and audience reactions. I also don't just watch the original demo, but I will watch other sets on their site, or YouTube. This gives me a better idea of how a comedian handles different audiences and/or venues. My audiences have come to trust me enough to know that when they come to my club, that I will provide them with great comedy. I don't book my club based on credentials, time in the business, or how it benefits me. I book my club/festival, based on a gut feeling that you are, for that weekend, or that showcase, on my stage for all the right reasons.
Not every comedian fits the Festival, or the club. But, that has nothing to do with the comics ability. It has everything to do with the audiences that support us. I've had comics get upset that they are headlining across the country, but I don't book them. That's the hardest part of booking. Trying to tell someone that they don't fit the venue. We give everyone the same opportunity, and this Festival, and the Nutt St Comedy Club are successful because we are open minded to everyone's talents.
-Timmy Sherrill
