Every entertainer gets asked, "What's your day job?" If you are a very fortunate performer, your day job is actually a gig somewhere in entertainment. Either on stage or back stage, whether being the act or booking the act, if you are in entertainment and your "day job" is somehow related to entertainment, that is about as good as it gets this side of the fame and fortune thing.
I was very lucky to have been able to say I've made a living in entertainment for over 25 years. The best time for me (pre-Vegas) would have to be when I was working as an agent/producer for Custom Comedy Capers in Naperville between 2000 and 2007. I rarely ever had to ask for time off due to a gig. Being run by entertainers Jim Bina & Jamie Newell, they understood. This was a W2 gig and it made filing taxes a lot easier at year's end. Plus, when you are the one answering the phone at an entertainment agent's office, it makes being the guy called for a gig that much easier. ;)
Today, I started the two-week trial period for what I hope will become my new day job. If all goes well during this two weeks and the producer, cast, and crew continue to like my work, this new day job will be even more rewarding and exciting than the good old Custom Comedy Capers days. It's been around a month in the making with several meetings and auditions along the way. Getting past this two weeks with flying colors is the final step towards being able to pop the Champagne and not just sip the expensive beer.
Today, I am over-the-top excited to be able to say I started my job as the on-stage announcer for The Price is Right LIVE! at Bally's Hotel & Casino.
http://www.priceisrightlive.com/
I'm the guy doing the audience warm up and whipping the crowd into a frenzy. I'm the guy reading the copy informing the audience about the fabulous prizes. Most significantly, I'm the guy who gets to call out the three most iconic words in game show history, "Come on down!"
Most important to this scenario is that, pending the extension of my contract, I'll be making a very good living wage performing daily in a long-running and steadily-drawing show with massive brand name appeal and huge potential for bigger and better things. This one is a big deal for me!
The show runs Tuesdays through Saturdays at the fabulous Jubilee Theater primarily in the afternoons (2:30PM show), with one evening performance being at 7:30PM on Fridays. So not only is this a good gig in general, but it leaves a lot of wide open space for corporate work or even landing a spot on a variety show here in town at night. In ways most wouldn't realize, this is a dream job. It's fun, t pays a living wage (and is a W2 job), it offers potential for many more opportunities down the road, and so far everyone I've been fortunate enough to work with has been nothing but friendly and welcoming. I simply can't express fully how excited and honored I am to have this opportunity.
The pessimist in me wanted to wait until the two-week trial was over and a bigger contract was in place. I just couldn't wait because this is big news, loads of fun, and well worth sharing.
If anyone wants to check out the show while in Vegas, details are at this website.
http://www.ballyslasvegas.com/EventsDetail.do?detailName=the-price-is-right-live-detail&locationCode=BLV
Don't ask me for comps if you want to play the games on stage. Comps are ineligible. ;)
Thanks to everyone for all the well-wishes and continued support along the way. Here's hoping for even more big news to share very soon.
Labels: Andy Martello Announcer, Andy Martello at Bally's Hotel and Casino, The Price is Right Live
