Mark Angelo - Comedy in High Definition®

Mission: Team-Building Workshop

2025-01-04T10:31:00.003-05:00

Sometimes Marlo and I are asked,"what’s the most interesting gig you’ve done?" While some people might cite a television appearances or cruise ship contracts, for us it was working for the government. No, no, we weren’t given a secret mission or a license to kill (well, except maybe with laughter). It all started with an email:

Life on the Road - Literally

2016-12-06T20:37:00.000-05:00

Marlo and I have been keeping a secret from all but a select few. For the rest of you, here it is: we're now full-time RVers. Crazy, right? Maybe not so much...

Defending my Guinness World Record in China - a.k.a. My Ticket to the Middle Kingdom...Part 2

2015-03-08T13:10:00.001-04:00

So what's it like to travel 10,000 miles over the continental U.S. and the Pacific Ocean in one day? If you didn't catch the leadup to the big competition that comes to a head in this article, you can read about it here.

Culture Class

So here we are, in a totally foreign land, without any Mandarin beyond "ni-hao". Thankfully, Guinness is a class-act, and provided Marlo and myself with Frank (I don't think that was his real name). He was very friendly, and his English was excellent, as you'd expect from one that studied in the States - which a very large number of those in China's tourist industry do.

Guinness World Record 60th Anniversary Broadcast - a.k.a. My Ticket to the Middle Kingdom

2015-01-26T12:46:00.001-05:00

Creating opportunities doesn't have to be rocket science...but being focused in your efforts can lead to success far faster than just finding things to keep yourself "busy". My wife suggested going for a Guinness World Record. It's a huge brand with universal recognition, and if nothing else it'd be a great addition to the ol' resume. You can read about the actual attempt here.

How My Guinness World Record Got Me on a Game Show

2014-12-16T22:47:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a contestant on a game show? What would it be like once you were under those bright lights? Would seemingly simple questions become harder to figure out than a college-level calculus equation? And most importantly... are the host's teeth really that white in person?

Amping Up Your Festival's Entertainment

2014-08-09T14:43:00.000-04:00

No matter where you are in the country, there is a season (or seasons) of festivals. Music festivals, Oktoberfests, State Fairs ...the list goes on and on. Most of the time, the entertainment that you find on the stages of these events are exclusively musical acts. While there are certainly merits that go along with this strategy (a convivial atmosphere being foremost), it is often beneficial to provide another offering...a palate cleanser, if you will.

The Journey to Late Night Stardom

2013-11-12T21:28:00.001-05:00

Have you ever watched a program on TV, and wondered just what it looked like on the other side of the lens? Of course you have. I remember watching several of my comedy idols on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Comic Strip Live, and Conan O'Brien, imagining what it would feel like to actually shake the host's hand. As a 15-year old kid, little did I know that it I would do the same thing one day.

When you hire a comedian, you may be getting only half the show

2013-08-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

There are all kinds of comedians - dry, slapstick, surreal, dirty, g-rated - but they generally share one trait - they are up there with nothing but a microphone. It's their brain and body and the audience.

Marketing For Providers of Entertainment

2013-06-04T12:46:00.000-04:00

You are, naturally, the person most familiar with your product. You know all of the ways it can benefit a potential client.
It doesn't matter how great that product is, though, if nobody knows about it. As P.T. Barnum said, "Without promotion, something terrible happens... nothing!"

A Different Way to View Your Entertainment Budget

2013-04-22T13:53:00.000-04:00

You're planning a big awards dinner banquet. You've secured the caterer with the fabulous 5-course meal, a sizzling-hot band, and the best photographers money can buy - it's shaping up to be a terrific event.

Be An Original

2013-03-11T14:59:00.001-04:00

What is it to be an original? Inherently, we all are original when we come into this world (no matter what your identical twin says). We become even more so as we take that world in, analyze it, and interact with it according to how it's been filtered through our perspective.

But, there are powerful societal forces that can cause you to lose your individuality...to "conform". The trick is to strike a balance between the two.
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Why Entertainers and Event Planners Need Contracts

2013-02-04T14:00:00.000-05:00

When it comes to event planning, there can be a million and one contracts to get signed before the big day (depending upon the size of your bash) - catering, venue rental, a/v equipment...did you get one from your headline entertainer?
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Connecting With Your Fellow Man

2012-12-29T18:37:00.001-05:00

Look Outside the Bubble

As individuals, we get so wrapped up in our own life. Bills to pay, children to feed. Sometimes you forget that there is more to life than your own personal agenda.

Networking is an essential skill in any profession, and it's a skill that isn't too hard to master. A willingness to take interest in others is the most important requirement.

Rediscovering St. Lucia

2012-12-08T20:20:00.000-05:00

Traveling, traveling, traveling. After fifteen years on the road, it's easy to take the lifestyle for granted. And often Marlo and I do, which is a shame. But not last week...it was time to rediscover St. Lucia!!

Cruise to Bermuda (That Wasn't)...the Remainder

2012-11-19T12:29:00.003-05:00

So, we all woke up the next day to ever-strengthening winds, and sheets of rain that obscured the shoreline just a quarter-mile away. You'd think that everyone would be in a foul mood. Personally, it felt like a typical late-autumn day in Ohio to me...in other words - miserable weather that makes you happy just to be able to stay warm and dry inside.

The Voyage to Bermuda (That Wasn't)

2012-11-06T09:18:00.002-05:00

Day One

So, there we were, getting ready to depart on a 6-day cruise to Bermuda. Walk up to the counter; get the Seapass card that “dings” you onto the ship, then grab your first of many meals aboard a luxury liner. What could go wrong? Well, as many Americans found out last week, one thing…one very big, windy, POWERFUL thing. Yes, Hurricane Sandy was coming.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

2012-10-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

I didn’t start out providing corporate entertainment to Fortune 500 companies. No one ever does. There were a lot of steps between my first performance at the Cochocton County Fair and the clients I work for today. But with each performance came invaluable knowledge that helped with every step that followed.

Learn to Communicate With Your Audience

Every time you step in front of an audience, it’s an opportunity to learn about people. You can have anywhere between 2 and 2,000 in a crowd – that’s a lot of chances to learn about how people think, react, and INTERACT with one another! I consider the theater to be the world’s most exciting social laboratory, with a chance to change the variables each time…sometimes adding an extra moment’s pause after a joke, or getting two audience members to work together onstage…in order to reach my goal of maximizing everyone’s enjoyment of the show.

Different Strokes

There’s a reason the phrase “Know Your Audience” exists…because if you have that knowledge, you can “plug in” to the necessary wavelength instantaneously. If you are doing a show for a State Fair, the demographic you design a show for can be quite different than one for a cancer fundraiser. Deciding on what kind of messaging and style will be easy if you know what the tastes and attitudes of those in the audience are. The only way to know the differences, though, is through experience. Speaking of which…

Party On!

Whether it be a corporate event, or just a holiday gathering at your house, if there’s a party, get in there! No, I’m not suggesting you pull a “Wedding Crashers” (though I am guilty of doing that once), but I am saying that you should put yourself in front of all kinds of crowds. It’s the quickest, most rewarding, and FUN way to shake things up. As an entertainer/speaker/presenter, you get to do what you love to do, so SHARE IT! It’s the greatest gift you can give to the world, while satisfying your own passion at the same time.

How to Travel Worry-Free

2012-10-02T22:54:00.001-04:00

Traveling can be a blast. In fact, it’s one of the biggest reasons I got into performing. New places, new faces, and getting out of the daily routine at home make hitting the road a great experience.

There are those days, though, where all of your travel plans go awry. Keeping sane in some cases can be more than a mortal can do, but like with so many things in life, it’s all about making the best of a bad situation. Coming back from the last gig falls into this category.

How to Plan the Best Holiday or Christmas Party Ever

2012-09-07T15:53:00.003-04:00

When it comes to Christmas parties, it's never too early to start planning.

So, it's September, and you've just put away your camping gear for another year. Walking through your local shopping center, you hear the first Christmas carol of 2012 over the PA system. What? Isn't it waaaaaaay too early to be thinking of the Holidays? Not really, no...especially if you are going to be (or already have been) tapped to plan a celebration this year.

Six Travel Tips That Save Time, Money, and Headaches

2012-08-17T20:44:00.000-04:00

Traveling today, more than ever, can be a real nightmare. Baggage fees, delayed flights, and lines longer than the Nile can contribute to a day that can't be saved... even with the usual two martinis. However, as with anything painful, you can always do SOME things to make the best of an unpleasant situation.

Why Entertainers Should Get Return On Their Investment

2012-07-25T16:49:00.002-04:00

Performers have a passion...a passion for their art. PROFESSIONAL performers need to get paid for their art and the time they've invested in order to acquire their level of expertise. Sure, both put in a ton of time to learn their craft, but if one expects more than just self-satisfaction for their efforts, there are things that need to be done to get there.

Travel Out of Your Comfort Zone

2012-07-11T14:58:00.000-04:00

In talking with various folks of my nation, I’ve noticed something that a great many have in common; namely, an aversion to traveling outside of their own country. Yes, there are numerous places to see and things to do within our own 50 states, but there are some great reasons to get a passport, and step over the international border -

The Professional Mindset and Success That Follows

2012-07-02T09:15:00.001-04:00

Being a Professional... What is a "professional"? Often, the term is thought of as just "someone who gets paid for what he does". But I see it as being a bit deeper than that.

Being a professional is a state of mind.

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Tips on Preparing for an Effective Training Session

2012-06-20T20:15:00.000-04:00

Have you heard ads for those "5 minute workouts", where you'll look like you spent HOURS in the gym, without actually having to make that kind of time investment? Sure you have. Do you believe them? Of course not! You know that in order accomplish anything of value, it takes actual effort - there's no shortcut. But, you CAN make the most of the time you do spend conditioning your body, learning the perfect golf swing, or even writing your first screenplay! Here are the steps that I've found to help keep me focused and productive from beginning to end.

Bridging the Gap

2012-06-12T13:15:00.001-04:00

I've had a couple of conversations recently with fellow professional performers that might interest the aspiring performer greatly. The subject was showmanship. When it's not there, it shows.

When you are practicing, there's no pressure to perform. You can spend entire days immersed in your art. Trust me, I know the feeling, and it's terrific! It's great that when you get into your groove, everything else melts away - it's just you and your passion. But, if you have an audience to entertain, you need to "open the bay doors", and let them in to your fortress of fun.

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