Perhaps there's no one explanation for why Florida has become a comedy hot spot. Vicki Roussman, of VIR, Inc., who books talent for several Florida clubs and teaches college-level classes on comedy as a career, says stand-up is growing because of the increase in Florida's population, the influx of Northern transplants, the popularity of cable television, and changing cultural attitudes. Whatever the reason, stand-up comedy in Florida is undeniably hot.
Florida Comedy Material
Yes, tourists in Florida keep their turn signals on; older drivers are short and wear straw hats; Shamu the killer whale of Sea World is a silly name; the admission prices to the theme parks are outrageous; and it’s humid outside most of the time. Floridians know that already. They live there.
While touring Florida, comedians should focus on less obvious subjects. One comic performing at a Central Florida club recently used only a small chunk of locally oriented material when he opened at a popular club. He said that people everywhere are the same, and there’s really no difference between Florida clubs and other clubs around the country. Even so, he made sure to localize a small portion of his material to win favor with the crowd before moving on to more general subjects.
Understanding Florida Audiences
Of course, a good act is a good act anywhere. But it's even better when you know your Florida audiences.
- Ft. Pierce/Ft. Myers/Fort Lauderdale/Daytona Beach/Panama City: Fun-loving beach crowd, lots of tourists. Bring: Suntan lotion (SPF 30 or higher).
- Gainesville: College town (University of Florida). Bring: A gator pennant.
- Jacksonville: Large northern city, industrial atmosphere, big business, pollution, paper mills. More seasonal climate than Central and South Florida. Bring: Warm clothes.
- Miami: Big city, northern transplants, international flavor, film, television, and fashion photography industries, lots of former New Yorkers and non-English speaking groups. Well-established comedy and entertainment community. Bring: Foreign language dictionaries.
- Orlando: Broad base of people (including tourists and transplants) from all over the world. A huge variety of theme parks. Movie studios. No coastal towns as beaches are 45 minutes or more away. Bring: The kids.
- Sarasota: Ocean-oriented, often wealthy and retired. Beautiful scenery, Ringling Museum and college. Bring: A swim suit.
- Tallahassee: Capital city, college town (Florida State), less tropical in appearance and climate. Bring: A Seminole pennant.
- Tampa: Big city with growing comedy activities. Established arts community. Bring: Friends and fans.
- West Palm Beach/Palm Beach: Very exclusive, often retired. Beautifully landscaped. Elderly, educated crowd. Bring: Your best clothes.
Whatever Florida city you book performances in, be sure to bring your best routines. Floridians love to laugh. It helps them handle the heat.
To learn more about stand-up comedy, read Cruise Ship Comedians and Cruise Ships Versus Comedy Clubs.
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