NACA

[MarcusM]

Anyone out there submitting to the NACA showcases this year? I think I am going to submit with my agency but i was wondering if anyone out there can tell me if as a variety act if it's worth it? It seems like a lot of money (around $475) to submit..just wondering if it's worth it. Thanks
~Marcus

[Butterfly Man]

if it's Tuesday it must be Stormlake, Iowa

If you are serious about touring ... go for it ... imho Far East Regional & South Central Regional get you the most forms (they like novelty acts) ... forget the national (prestigious but no $) ... forget the west too ... is your agent well liked? ... it helps.

Only mainstage ... and early on ... try to get the emcee (compare) spot ... cha ching!

I hope somebody is there is who loves you when you return home twice a year.

[MarcusM]

nacnancanca

I think my agency is pretty well liked, The College Agency...although I have a stage act, they are trying to talk me into becoming a roving entertainer. I am not to happy with this, not because I have anything against them, but i have built my show on stage and would perfer for it to stay that way.
~marcus

[pablo]

NACA Agencies

I was at a NACA regional conference in Peoria last year with one of my agents. Depending on the agreement you have with your agency, THEY should pay the submission fee; YOU shouldn't. The artist (you) usually pays for your hotel room, transportation & meals, and your agency usually pays for any NACA fees.

Beware of an agency that expects you to pay for everything, or tries to talk you into doing something you don't want to do.

[le pire]

once they see you as a rover... you stay a rover.

etienne

[pablo]

Roving vs. stage

I perform a stage show and a roving artist act at schools, colleges, fairs & festivals, and I think they both have their benefits.

A stage show usually pays more money for less time actually performing, but a roving act can be more intimate, versatile & challenging. One is not always preferable to the other.

[MarcusM]

true.

Yeah i see both of your points, the way i see it, if i am paying all this money to submit and to perform, i should be able to decide if i want to be a stage act or a rover. What if I do get more jobs as a rover? My name wouldnt be out there as much if i were performing as a stage act, i wouldnt think. The more i get my name out there, word of mouth and the more jobs i would get. It's a struggle either way.

[le pire]

When I began performing it was as a rover at corporate events for a variety of agencies who also book stage acts. Two years later I had developed a stage show that I had toured at festivals & holiday parks.

I created (very nice) promo for the show and took it to those agencies and they said how nice it was and this is great and yadda yadda hey hey hey. They continued to book me as a rover and continued to send the stage jobs to the people they were used to sending them to.

In the short term you can make more $$$ with roving. If you see NACA as a short term stepping stone (your big dream is apparently to be a pop-star) then maybe roving would not be so bad.

etienne

[firegirl]

Re: NACA Agencies

Originally posted by pablo
Beware of an agency that expects you to pay for everything, or tries to talk you into doing something you don't want to do.

excellent advice. applies to all areas of the arts.

by rover do y'all mean walk-around magic or something of the like?

you should consult with thom britian of the flying cat circus re: naca... they have an extremely high opinion of naca & have enjoyed the results they've had with naca as a stage act.

[pablo]

Flying Cat Thom

Thom & I are represented by the same agent, and I met him at the NACA conference in Peoria where we debated the merits of David Blaine and the physical attributes of the women who walked by our booth. Thom's a nice smart guy, and he's posted on this forum. I haven't seen his show, but I'm sure any advice he has about the NACA is valid.

[firegirl]

i worked with both thom & kevin in new orleans. i am also in negotiations w/beth voigt (former member of flying cat) to appear in my improv show this summer... she is quite a good friend.

thom is an amazing performer - he can do a TON of odd stuff. kevin is... kevin... uncanny. and, beth is the most naturally talented actor-ish person i've ever met.

enough me waxing eloquent about my friends. they've had a good booking experiance w/naca & everytime i see them they point out that i should really register w/naca... but, alas - i'm more into theatre stuff (now) than traipsing about the country performing at colleges & stuff... already did my time on the ren-faire circut. good enough for me...

ANYHOW.

thom... yah, he's a swell guy.