Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)

[Stephen Bent]

Hello,
I`m an American spending a year abroad as an exchange student in the Dominican Republic, and I`d really like to get into street performing here. So I have two questions: 1) Has anyone performed here, and if so, where`s a good place to do a show? 2) How important is fluency in the language in terms of being able to perform? My Spanish is pretty good, but it`s not perfect. In the one show I`ve tried doing so far, I actually used my lack of spanish as a source for comedic material, but I think overall it`s probably hurting my show. What do you people do when you`re performing in a country where they don`t speak *insert your language here*? Thanks,
-Stephen

[Butterfly Man]

don't touch my moustache

This is a great question ... and currently apropos for the "Handsome Little Devils" as well (they are get ready for their first shows in Japan).


First, if you already have a show and need to convey a set-up for a trick then by all means get a translation from a native and memorize it phonetically.

However, if you are just starting out as a performer, then you are probably better off learning as you go what works with your audience ... remember, every culture has a different sense of humor ... so, it actually helps starting out from scratch.

Please don't do what I've seen others do and try to do a literal translation of your act ... I watched a guy die in Japan doing just that (he wouldn't adapt to his new environment and kept trying to use the expression "I'll give you the shirt off my back" in his show ... they didn't get it and it was pitiful.

I think one of the reasons I've done so well around the world is because I don't give a rat's ass and love to fuck with people ... oh sure, I dig learning expressions but words are hardly the best way to communicate.

People love you because of your vulnerability ... not your strengths.

[worldwidese]

Gringo Lingo

Butterfly Man is absolutely right on with his advice.

I would just like to add that I have found it doesn't matter if you're not perfectly fluent. People respect the fact and are quite flattered that you're making the effort. They even like your mistakes, as long of course that you don't accidentally gross out your public! It gives them something to talk about and remember you by, just like we think it's funny when a little kid makes a mistake.

Oh, by the way, if you hang out at the tourist spots, you can do your show in English till you get the hang of it in Spanish. Suerte!