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015 - Grab Bag! - Stories by Greg Triggs, Martika, Tom Ameen, & Shawn McMaster

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

Release Date: 04/12/2021

026 - Don Bursell - Professional Goofball show art 026 - Don Bursell - Professional Goofball

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

In this episode, I sit down with professional goofball, Don Bursell. He shares some stories about a mortifying road trip adventure, getting a unicycle through security, bowling ball juggling mishaps, his experience with Barnum & Bailey, celebrity encounters, and embarrassing audience member reactions. Save 10% off an order from his online magic book store by using coupon code "performer" at checkout! Code valid through 12/31/22.  Don Bursell's Website: Don's Magic Book Shop:    

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025 - The Great Demonio - Bizarre Magician show art 025 - The Great Demonio - Bizarre Magician

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

Javier Montelongo, AKA The "Great" Demonio, is a magician unlike you've ever seen before. Bearing an unsettling visage that combines a luchidor mask, a rabbit, and your nightmares, this entertainer performs silent bizarre magical presentations that leave people amazed and asking the question, "why?"

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024 - Jimmy Rook: Magician Cop show art 024 - Jimmy Rook: Magician Cop

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

Jimmy Rook is a magician from Orlando, FL. He's performed magic for over fifteen years and recently traveled to perform at The Chicago Magic Lounge in Chicago. You can frequently catch his act at the award winning “Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show” in Orlando. You may have also seen his appearances on America's Got Talent. In addition to this, he also serves as a police officer where he teaches what he's learned about deception from magic to other officers in order to help inform and protect them out in the field.

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023 - Nightmare Experiences - Stories by Kimberly JaJuan, Zia Quill Kay, Kayla Drescher, and Daniel Greenwolf show art 023 - Nightmare Experiences - Stories by Kimberly JaJuan, Zia Quill Kay, Kayla Drescher, and Daniel Greenwolf

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's storytellers are Broadway Actor/Singer Kimberly JaJuan, Magician, Ballonist, and Sideshow Performer Zia Quill Kay, Magician and Podcast Host Kayla Drescher, and Celtic Magician Daniel Greenwolf. All the stories in this episode have to do with nightmares unfolding at and during performances. Kimberly talks about missing an entrance cue, Zia tells about a gig that was raided by SWAT, Kayla talks about exiting an illusion too early, and Daniel talks about a fireworks stunt gone wrong.   Kimberly JaJuan The first story is told by Kimberly JaJuan, a singer and actor both on and off...

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022 - Stories for Juneteenth - Stories by Kimberly JaJuan, E Clayton Cornelious, Ran'D Shine, and Stanley Wayne Mathis show art 022 - Stories for Juneteenth - Stories by Kimberly JaJuan, E Clayton Cornelious, Ran'D Shine, and Stanley Wayne Mathis

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's storytellers are broadway actor and singer Kimberly JaJuan, broadway actor E Clayton Cornelious, magician Ran'D Shine, and broadway actor Stanley Wayne Mathis. This week, in observance of Juneteenth coming up this Saturday, I'm featuring stories all from Black entertainers. If you're unaware of what Juneteenth is, having only glanced past it as a seemingly obscure holiday on your calender, Juneteenth, observed on June 19th is a day in which we celebrate the day that the slaves in Texas found out that the Emancipation Proclimation was happening. In short, it declared that "all...

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021 - Pullin' at Heart Strings - Stories by Martika, Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, & Jonathan Pritchard show art 021 - Pullin' at Heart Strings - Stories by Martika, Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, & Jonathan Pritchard

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's storytellers are One-woman stunt show Martika, Sketch Improv Comedian Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, and mentalist Jonathan Pritchard. Here's what you'll hear this episode. Martika shares some touching experiences doing driveway shows during the pandemic, Greg shares a heartwarming moment with a 90 year old woman while performing at Disney World, Mario shares about a child juggler who opened his show and a special moment that meant so much to Mario, and Jonathan shares a couple fond memories having worked with The Amazing Randi.   Martika: Heartwarming experiences...

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020 - Fool Us Post Pandemic - Nathaniel Segal show art 020 - Fool Us Post Pandemic - Nathaniel Segal

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's This week there's one story and our storyteller is Nathaniel Segal. In his story, Nathaniel talks about his experience on Penn & Teller's Fool Us and being the first guest to perform live coming back from the pandemic.   Nathaniel Segal: Fool Us Post Pandemic Nathaniel Segal is an award winning magician and magic inventor based out of the Los Angeles area. He has a degree from UC Berkeley in applied math and theater and was a past president of the Oakland Magic Circle, teacher of the credit based magic class at Cal, and has been invited to speak at the prestigious Gathering 4...

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019 - Trade Shows, Fairs, & Broken Glass - Stories by Danny Orleans, Dennis Forel show art 019 - Trade Shows, Fairs, & Broken Glass - Stories by Danny Orleans, Dennis Forel

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's storytellers are Corporate Magician Danny Orleans, Balloon Sculpter Dennis Forel, and actor Marcus Vowel. Here's what you'll hear this episode. Danny recalls various things he's experienced while working on the trade show floor from missing booths and a fire, to a broken rolex, Dennis tells about some fun and heartwarming experiences he's had while performing at county fairs, and Marcus talks about setting his knee down on broken glass during a stage production and how that played out.   Danny Orleans: Crazy Stories from the Trade Show Floor The first story is told by Danny...

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018 - Origin Stories - Stories by Martika, Edie, Kimberly JaJuan, and Rudy Coby show art 018 - Origin Stories - Stories by Martika, Edie, Kimberly JaJuan, and Rudy Coby

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's storytellers are one-woman stunt show Martika, drag performer Edie, Broadway actor & singer Kimberly JaJuan, and magician Rudy Coby. In this episode all the stories are tied together with a theme of "Origin Stories."   Martika: How She Went From Working in Veterinary Science to Performing Full Time The first story is told by Martika, an international variety entertainer based in Kansas City, MO. and is the C.E.O. of KC Entertainment Services, LLC. Having left a career as a veterinary technician more than ten years ago, she's toured the world solo, performing fire art stunts,...

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017 - Grab Bag! - Stories by Yehaa Bob, Jason Canapp, E Clayton Cornelius, & Stanley Wayne Mathis show art 017 - Grab Bag! - Stories by Yehaa Bob, Jason Canapp, E Clayton Cornelius, & Stanley Wayne Mathis

Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers

This week's storytellers are Boogie Woogie Pianist & Comedy Performer Yehaa Bob Jackson, Internet Live Show Host Jason Canapp, Broadway Actors E Clayton Cornelius and Stanley Wayne Mathis. This episode is a "grab bag" of stories, meaning that there is no central theme tying the stories together.   Yehaa Bob Jackson: Performing for a Well-known Disney/Pixar Exec The first story is told by Yehaa Bob Jackson, one of America's funniest entertainers who's music has literally taken him around the world. For over 23 years, Bob was resident performer at the River Roost at Disney's Port...

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More Episodes

This week's storytellers are improv comedian, writer, and show director Greg Triggs, One Woman Stunt Show Martika, Billboard topping pianist Tom Ameen, and Comedy Magician Shawn McMaster.

This episode is a "grab bag" of stories, meaning that there's no central theme tying the stories together.

 

Greg Triggs: Reminicing About Adventurers Club & Streetmosphere Performing at Disney World

The first story is told by Greg Triggs, a show director, writer, and improv sketch artist who's appeared with top sketch comedy troupes like The Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis and the Who, What, and Warehouse at Disney's Comedy Warehouse at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

In this story, Greg reminices about his times performing at the world famous Adventurer's Club and as a streetmosphere character both at Walt Disney World.

Here's where you can find out more about Greg: 

Greg's Website http://www.gregtriggs.com/
Broadway's Next Hit Musical http://www.broadwaysnexthitmusical.com/ 
Strategic Entertainment NYC http://www.strategicentertainmentnyc.com/

 

Martika: Busking Encounter with a Parentless Kid

The second story is told by Martika, an international variety entertainer based in Kansas City, MO. and the C.E.O. of KC Entertainment Services, LLC. Having left a career as a veterinary technician more than ten years ago, she's toured the world solo, performing fire art stunts, escapes, and other sideshow danger acts. In fact, she's Kansas City's only woman sword swallower, and the only one woman show of this kind in the Midwest! She also teaches a variety of workshops in these disciplines establishing her even further as an expert.

In her story, Martika tells about a time she was busking and encountered a young child that appeared to be without his parents. This story also leads to a short discussion about some of the things she's had to deal with as a black woman in the variety entertainment space. 

Here's where you can find out more info about Martika:

Martika's Website https://themartikashow.com/
Instagram @themartikashow 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/martikamd

 

Tom Ameen: Becoming JJ Abrams' "Go To" Pianist

The third story is told by Tom Ameen, a Billboard Topping Pianist who's collaborated with top names in the industry like Jim Brickman and has frequently performed at many of JJ Abrams' private events. He's well-known among the Disney fan community having arranged and performed wonderful renditions of Disney classics from the theme parks and the movies. His most recent album is Stories From The Sea (Inspired by “The Outlaw Ocean” a book by Ian Urbina which is out now and can be purchased and streamed wherever you listen to your music.

In his story, Tom talks about how he ended up becoming JJ Abram's "go to" pianist for his private events.

Here's where you can find out more about Tom:

Tom's Website http://tomameenmusic.com/

 

Shawn McMaster: A Card Trick that went Completely Awry aka "Penny's Story"

The fourth story is told by Shawn McMaster, a comedy magician who's unequaled blend of sophisticated magic and hilarious comedy has made him a highly sought-after act all over the world. His ability to blend the astonishing with the absurd has delighted countless audiences both here and abroad.

Shawn tells about the time one of his signature performance pieces went completely awry on stage, in a story we like to lovingly refer to as "Penny's Story."

Here's where you can find out more about Shawn:

Shawn's Website http://shawnmcmaster.com/

 

Share Your Own Stories! 

Do you have comments, suggestions, or want to share your own stories? Drop me a line! performerstories@gmail.com

 

Exclusive Content! 

Would you like exclusive content nobody else will hear? Consider supporting the shown on Patreon. You'll get the full interviews with each performer as I record them that includes all their stories all in one place with all the chat in between!

 

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