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born in the wagon of a travellin´show...
actually,born to canadian, suburbia, middle class white trash...i think i was about 11 or 12 yrs old when i first verbalized i wanted to be a comic....i worked and watched and jumped into the fray.this was about the time when comedy was peakin in the late 80´s,seinfeld got a series and every actor with hopes of sitcomdom suddenly had 5 minutes.a huge glut in the market allowed clubowners to really joke us into slavery.i just wanted to make people laugh...and i thought that was something i was good enough at, that i should be able to make a good livin doing it.Around that time i started working with loose moose improv, then started doing improvisational murder mysteries and special event work.(i still have half a dozen santa suits stored somewhere,"yes virginia,i pimped santa claus...wanna see the north pole...".i did my first balloon gig about 11 yrs ago,i had no idea how to make anything....(pieces of driftwood were my favorite)but i realized it was a great way to get paid to be funny, workin for myself. playing with people.i found the medium fascinating becuase of its allure and temporal nature. Quickly, i started devising my own designs,and began developing an act that appealled to adults,as well as kids(about half the balloons i do now,are for adults)today i do 100´s of original large scale figures...(everything from elvis to homer,bob marly to krusty the clown)using NOTHING but balloons.i wrap it up with snappy patter, crazy stunts,improvisation,interaction and plenty of structured anarchy.
i´ve been collecting quotes from my peers and employers(if you´d like to add one... please.)for my new promo pack...yeah,i´ve performed in dozenz of festivals over the last 8-9 years with a terriffic response,in too many cities/countries to mention, and i'm still excited by all the wonderfull people i've yet to meet,and see again.so i´ll leave you with a quote from alex lepingwell,the high street manager,edinbourgh fringe festival 2001.
"When mike first contacted us about his show, our first reaction was"Oh shit,not another balloon guy.".But after seeing mikes act,balloonguy doesnt come close to encompass the enormity of the man and his art.He has one of the most unique and original performances we´ve ever had.A pleasure to work with,and to watch.".
well...to sum it up,its been a great ride,i´ve met incredible people,done incredible things,and saw incredible places, all doing something i love,and leaving behind a better place.i´ve been truly blessed.
thanks
mike
theballoonman
"stuck on the cul-de-sac less travelled."
<img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />
[ 02-26-2002: Message edited by: theballoonman ]</p>
i´ve been collecting quotes from my peers and employers(if you´d like to add one... please.)for my new promo pack...yeah,i´ve performed in dozenz of festivals over the last 8-9 years with a terriffic response,in too many cities/countries to mention, and i'm still excited by all the wonderfull people i've yet to meet,and see again.so i´ll leave you with a quote from alex lepingwell,the high street manager,edinbourgh fringe festival 2001.
"When mike first contacted us about his show, our first reaction was"Oh shit,not another balloon guy.".But after seeing mikes act,balloonguy doesnt come close to encompass the enormity of the man and his art.He has one of the most unique and original performances we´ve ever had.A pleasure to work with,and to watch.".
well...to sum it up,its been a great ride,i´ve met incredible people,done incredible things,and saw incredible places, all doing something i love,and leaving behind a better place.i´ve been truly blessed.
thanks
mike
theballoonman
"stuck on the cul-de-sac less travelled."
<img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />
[ 02-26-2002: Message edited by: theballoonman ]</p>
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