There are more and more event producers seeking variety performers for their shows. Many of them have produced burlesque exclusively but are expanding the kind of entertainment in their shows. This is good for everyone; however, what they consider variety usually involves circus or vaudeville type acts. They of course do not define what they mean by vaudeville acts. VaudVil hopes define what this means. A vaudeville act could be any kind of performance art. It could be standup comedy, an actor reciting a monologue, someone who juggles and uses the balls to play the piano while he juggles…anything!
What these producers are likely searching for is something that has not been seen or done before. It is very easy to find a standup comedian but how often do you find a comedy duo? What about comedians who also play guitars during their act? Where are the Abbott & Costello type comedians? Where are the Smothers Brothers type comedians/musicians? Where are any ventriloquists? These are not likely found in Tucson and probably not in Phoenix either. How does one nurture this kind of performance art? Where are the people who are interested in learning these kinds of performance art?
VaudVil is going through a rough year but we hope to find ways to help would-be performance artists learn new trades and crafts. There are few magicians in southern Arizona (I am only aware of four and only know of three who actually get work). But again the question is how does one nurture this kind of performance art? We at VaudVil are currently researching all the things we need to have buskers in Tucson. Busker is a fancy word for street performers. This will hopefully encourage more variety performers to crawl out of the woodwork and enhance the entertainment of Tucson and southern Arizona.
James Pack 