Tweet
Names
When building a successful street performance, how does one go about naming one's self? I've never been good with naming things, least of all myself. I've been racking my brains for an amusing stage name or at least a memorable one. Talondark X is my internet name only, and I'm not sure whether calling myself something like that would sound stupid or not in real life. On the other hand, The Amazing Juggling Nathan Murray doesn't sound very interesting either, does it? Any suggestions?
-
-
y'know - every stage name i've come up with myself has fallen flat by the wayside... i'm not good at the naming thing either... the funny names i liked (and that the audiance liked) were always given to me by other performers... i've done something like four different shows over the course of my variety performing career... a singing show at ren faires, a variety comedy duo (singing, fire, escapes and the general abuse of the male species... ha, ha, ha.) and my solo fire show... respectively those names were - mollie malcontent, loosie lassie and firegirl... and, all those names were given to me by performers i worked and traveled with... if i'd had my druthers i'd just called myself "her kateness, she who must be obeyed" or "kate da great..." hmmmm....
but that aside -- let's see, you're a juggler? okay - here's two suggestions:
THE AMAZING JUGGLE MONKEY (anything with monkey in it is a sure hit... just ask anyone... )
-or-
THE MYSTERIOUS JUGGLER X (that mystique will lend u cartoon hero status... sort of...)
hope that helps...
firegirl -
Hmm. The amazing juggler X kinda sounds like something that you'd find in the Simpsons if Homer decided to become a street performer. But the Juggle Monkey . . . that's too great of a name to not be trademarked. I'll have to check on the net to make sure that it's not stealing- beyond, of course, the fact that I stole it from you. Thanks a bunch, and maybe we'll see the Juggle Monkey performing on the streets of Montreal. [img]cool.gif[/img]Comment
-
Like nicknames I think that the best stage names are given to you, Before A rockabilly gave me the name Donny Vomit I was billed as The Combustable Monkey...I like Vomit much better.Comment
-
Strictly silly.. Sir Toss Alot.
It is different in different performance circles.
For fire performing a friend named me based on the Volcano she grew up near (Mt. Pele) and the temperment of the volcano matching mine (will get worked up create and earthquake and never blow it's top! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] ).
In Interactive Improv I name my own depending on their personalities/occupations. For example, my courtesan is Aiphelia Moore, punny and the audience tends to like that.
Bellydance, that is a passed down type thing. Teachers to students, time honored tradition, yadda...yadda...yadda. However, I didn't feel comfortable in any name that could me chosen for me so I still go by Pele even there.
Whatever you choose, it has to be comfortable for you. If every time someone announces you, you cringe, it is not worth it.Comment
-
How about "Juggler #97154"
Or "Same Old" curator of "The Same Old Juggling Show"
or "the Jugglator" (great for procrastinators and former action stars)Comment
-
while i think scot's are very phunny... i still maintain that you cannot fail to make money/get bookings with any show title or character name which possesses the word MONKEY in it...
monkeys are just damn good comedy, that's why.
hurumph & a wink,
kate [img]cool.gif[/img]Comment
-
Hey Scot do you mind if I use Brendan The Jugglater.Comment
-
"Whatever you choose, it has to be comfortable for you. If every time someone announces you, you cringe, it is not worth it."
This is way too true, trust me!Comment
-
You say tomato...
This is one of my favorite questions for performers I know & meet at events: Do you keep you own name or invent a stage name?
Everyone finds their own answer, but the key considerations are:
1) If your own name is easy to spell & pronounce, either keep it or modify it just slightly. Jimmy Hendrix changed his first name to Jimi.
2) If you invent a stage name for whatever reason, it should be: Easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and original - don't call yourself Elvis, Sting, Prince, Cher or Madonna. Find a name or word that suits you and adopt it.
3) Disregard the previous considerations if you think of a name that's unique, bizarre & unforgettable. Iggy Pop and Alice Cooper are two good examples.Last edited by pablo; Jun-03-2005, 01:15 AM.Comment
-
or not
Personally, I vote against mokey. It's that "fall back" kind of a laugh. Some people will laugh at monkey, but 90% of them would laugh harder with out it. It just gets kind of old, like Chris Rock dropping f-bombs. This is just me, and I am that uptight improv/comedy snob kind of guy that picks apart everything. Like Dr. Eric, but less sassy.
-----Spike
P.S. However, if you wear a monkey suit and juggle bannanas I would hail you as some sort of super genius and would have no problem with the name.Comment
-
Vernon Vortex
Terrance the Artistic Amoeba
Earnest Endeavor
Smiley Moonface
Rex Visable
Victor Deadpan
Dank Greasebottom ('Please don't make fun of my name")
Sid AmicableComment
Comment