Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers
26 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThis is a storytelling podcast where you'll hear the amazing, the funny, the cringeworthy, and the heartwarming. Magicians, comedians, musicians, actors, and other entertainers tell their most interesting and true "war stories" from on the road and on the stage.
New episodes released every Monday.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
026 - Don Bursell - Professional Goofball
October 04, 2022 03:23 - 49 minutes - 40.2 MBIn this episode, I sit down with professional goofball, Don Bursell. He shares some stories about a mortifying road trip adventure, getting a unicycle through security, bowling ball juggling mishaps, his experience with Barnum & Bailey, celebrity encounters, and embarrassing audience member reactions. Save 10% off an order from his online magic book store by using coupon code "performer" at checkout! Code valid through 12/31/22. Don Bursell's Website: http://donbentertainment.com/ Don...
025 - The Great Demonio - Bizarre Magician
September 26, 2022 14:40 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBJavier Montelongo, AKA The "Great" Demonio, is a magician unlike you've ever seen before. Bearing an unsettling visage that combines a luchidor mask, a rabbit, and your nightmares, this entertainer performs silent bizarre magical presentations that leave people amazed and asking the question, "why?"
024 - Jimmy Rook: Magician Cop
September 18, 2022 22:13 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBJimmy Rook is a magician from Orlando, FL. He's performed magic for over fifteen years and recently traveled to perform at The Chicago Magic Lounge in Chicago. You can frequently catch his act at the award winning “Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show” in Orlando. You may have also seen his appearances on America's Got Talent. In addition to this, he also serves as a police officer where he teaches what he's learned about deception from magic to other officers in order to help inform a...
023 - Nightmare Experiences - Stories by Kimberly JaJuan, Zia Quill Kay, Kayla Drescher, and Daniel Greenwolf
July 14, 2021 03:42 - 41 minutes - 33.4 MBThis week's storytellers are Broadway Actor/Singer Kimberly JaJuan, Magician, Ballonist, and Sideshow Performer Zia Quill Kay, Magician and Podcast Host Kayla Drescher, and Celtic Magician Daniel Greenwolf. All the stories in this episode have to do with nightmares unfolding at and during performances. Kimberly talks about missing an entrance cue, Zia tells about a gig that was raided by SWAT, Kayla talks about exiting an illusion too early, and Daniel talks about a fireworks stunt gone wr...
022 - Stories for Juneteenth - Stories by Kimberly JaJuan, E Clayton Cornelious, Ran'D Shine, and Stanley Wayne Mathis
June 15, 2021 03:17 - 50 minutes - 40.9 MBThis week's storytellers are broadway actor and singer Kimberly JaJuan, broadway actor E Clayton Cornelious, magician Ran'D Shine, and broadway actor Stanley Wayne Mathis. This week, in observance of Juneteenth coming up this Saturday, I'm featuring stories all from Black entertainers. If you're unaware of what Juneteenth is, having only glanced past it as a seemingly obscure holiday on your calender, Juneteenth, observed on June 19th is a day in which we celebrate the day that the slaves ...
021 - Pullin' at Heart Strings - Stories by Martika, Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, & Jonathan Pritchard
May 31, 2021 22:19 - 23 minutes - 19.2 MBThis week's storytellers are One-woman stunt show Martika, Sketch Improv Comedian Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, and mentalist Jonathan Pritchard. Here's what you'll hear this episode. Martika shares some touching experiences doing driveway shows during the pandemic, Greg shares a heartwarming moment with a 90 year old woman while performing at Disney World, Mario shares about a child juggler who opened his show and a special moment that meant so much to Mario, and Jonathan shares ...
020 - Fool Us Post Pandemic - Nathaniel Segal
May 25, 2021 02:01 - 23 minutes - 19.5 MBThis week's This week there's one story and our storyteller is Nathaniel Segal. In his story, Nathaniel talks about his experience on Penn & Teller's Fool Us and being the first guest to perform live coming back from the pandemic. Nathaniel Segal: Fool Us Post Pandemic Nathaniel Segal is an award winning magician and magic inventor based out of the Los Angeles area. He has a degree from UC Berkeley in applied math and theater and was a past president of the Oakland Magic Circle, teac...
019 - Trade Shows, Fairs, & Broken Glass - Stories by Danny Orleans, Dennis Forel
May 17, 2021 01:29 - 42 minutes - 34.6 MBThis week's storytellers are Corporate Magician Danny Orleans, Balloon Sculpter Dennis Forel, and actor Marcus Vowel. Here's what you'll hear this episode. Danny recalls various things he's experienced while working on the trade show floor from missing booths and a fire, to a broken rolex, Dennis tells about some fun and heartwarming experiences he's had while performing at county fairs, and Marcus talks about setting his knee down on broken glass during a stage production and how that pla...
018 - Origin Stories - Stories by Martika, Edie, Kimberly JaJuan, and Rudy Coby
May 10, 2021 01:22 - 36 minutes - 30.2 MBThis week's storytellers are one-woman stunt show Martika, drag performer Edie, Broadway actor & singer Kimberly JaJuan, and magician Rudy Coby. In this episode all the stories are tied together with a theme of "Origin Stories." Martika: How She Went From Working in Veterinary Science to Performing Full Time The first story is told by Martika, an international variety entertainer based in Kansas City, MO. and is the C.E.O. of KC Entertainment Services, LLC. Having left a career as ...
017 - Grab Bag! - Stories by Yehaa Bob, Jason Canapp, E Clayton Cornelius, & Stanley Wayne Mathis
April 25, 2021 17:34 - 44 minutes - 81.8 MBThis week's storytellers are Boogie Woogie Pianist & Comedy Performer Yehaa Bob Jackson, Internet Live Show Host Jason Canapp, Broadway Actors E Clayton Cornelius and Stanley Wayne Mathis. This episode is a "grab bag" of stories, meaning that there is no central theme tying the stories together. Yehaa Bob Jackson: Performing for a Well-known Disney/Pixar Exec The first story is told by Yehaa Bob Jackson, one of America's funniest entertainers who's music has literally taken him aro...
016 - SECURITY! - Stories by Meraux Dantes, Niels Duinker, Brian Glow, Robert Strong, & Shawn McMaster
April 19, 2021 01:42 - 36 minutes - 29.7 MBThis week's storytellers are mystery performer Meraux Dantes, Comedy Juggler Niels Duinker, Corporate Magicians Brian Glow and Robert Strong, and Comedy Magician Shawn McMaster. This episode is entitled, "SECURITY!," and the stories all share a theme of either getting through security at the airport, dealing with law enforcement, or longing for better security in general. Meraux Dantes: Trying to Get 4 Dozen Forks Through Security The first story is told by Meraux Dantes, a mysteri...
015 - Grab Bag! - Stories by Greg Triggs, Martika, Tom Ameen, & Shawn McMaster
April 12, 2021 02:56 - 50 minutes - 40.9 MBThis week's storytellers are improv comedian, writer, and show director Greg Triggs, One Woman Stunt Show Martika, Billboard topping pianist Tom Ameen, and Comedy Magician Shawn McMaster. This episode is a "grab bag" of stories, meaning that there's no central theme tying the stories together. Greg Triggs: Reminicing About Adventurers Club & Streetmosphere Performing at Disney World The first story is told by Greg Triggs, a show director, writer, and improv sketch artist who's appe...
014 - You Can't Make This Up! - Stories by Robert Strong, Niels Duinker, Magic Mike Brooks, & Tom Ameen
April 05, 2021 13:06 - 37 minutes - 30.3 MBThis week's storytellers are Corporate magician Robert Strong, Juggler Niels Duinker, Magic Mike Brooks, and Pianist Tom Ameen. In this episode you'll hear stories that share a theme of "You Can't Make This Up!" You'll hear about an almost unfortunate coincidence at a NACA Showcase, an internationally traveling juggler getting mugged practically outside his own front door, a couple unfortunate stage faux pas involving a banana and computer software, and a fun conversation about restaurant ...
013 - How Edie Got to Cirque du Soliel's Zumanity
March 29, 2021 19:00 - 6 minutes - 5.63 MBThis should be the final week I'm doing single-story episodes. As you're hearing this, this should be our first day in Florida. This episode features Edie. Edie is a stage performer, dancer, actor, and drag performer most notably known for portraying the Emcee of Cirq du Soliel's Zumanity. In this story, we hear about how Edie became a part of Zumanity and how everyting seemed to just fall into place. Here's where you can find out more about Edie. Youtube Facebook Twitter Insta...
012 - The Seance Tambourine - Meraux Dantes
March 22, 2021 10:00 - 9 minutes - 8.08 MBThis week, while I'm moving across the country, I'm taking a little break, so this episode only has one story. This episode features Meraux Dantes, a mysterious and mystical mindreader—and a charming and captivating character. Close up you’ll see him move objects without touching them and bend metal with his mind. His greatest talent is not in his fork-bending or mind-reading but in his ability to create personal connections and generate genuine warmth with every person he meets. In this...
011 - Boo'd Offstage by Thousands - Jonathan Pritchard
March 15, 2021 06:27 - 25 minutes - 21.3 MBThese next two weeks while I'm moving across the country, I'm taking a little break, so this episode only has one episode. This episode features Jonathan Pritchard, a mentalist, author, speaker, and trainer who focuses on the power of applied psychology helping businesses improve their marketing, sales, and delivery. He shares an story about getting boo'd offstage by 2,000 people. Here's where you can find out more about this week's storyteller. Jonathan Pritchard jonathanpritchard.m...
010 - Entertainers IRL - Stories by Greg Triggs, Edie, Ran'D Shine, Tom Ameen, and Suzanne
March 08, 2021 07:09 - 43 minutes - 35.8 MBThis week's storytellers are Greg Triggs, Edie, Ran'D Shine, Tom Ameen, and Suzanne. In this episode you'll hear stories about "Entertainers In Real Life." How our art can have a profound effect on people after the show is over, and entertainers having to perform after receiving difficult news. You'll hear about an unexpected gesture of gratitude from someone who saw the previous night's show, a heartfelt letter to the cast of Cirque du Soliel's Zumanity, a mild stalker situation, and t...
009 - The Painful & The Surreal - Stories by Graeme Reed, FenyxFyre, Magic Mike Brooks, and Edie
March 01, 2021 07:33 - 36 minutes - 29.7 MBThis week's storytellers are Graeme Reed, Christopher Campbell FenyxFyre, Magic Mike Brooks, and Edie. In this episode we feature stories that surround a theme of "The Painful & The Surreal." You'll hear stories involving a "smash & stab" trick gone wrong, a fire performer unexpectedly catching on fire during his act, a kid's party babysitting fire, and a literal shipwreck. The first story comes from Graeme Graemazing Reed, a "Level 7 Wizard" who doesn't take himself too seriously and ...
008 - Celebrity Encounters - Stories by Carl Christman, Meraux Dantes, Shawn McMaster, Robert Strong, and Rudy Coby
February 22, 2021 06:25 - 39 minutes - 32.1 MBThis week's storytellers are Carl Christman, Meraux Dantes, Shawn McMaster, Robert Strong, and Rudy Coby. In this episode you'll hear stories that share a theme of "Celebrity Encounters." A mindreader performs for a group of physicists that turns out to be the cast of a popular TV show. At a restaurant, a mentalist performs for a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to a very well-known actor. A magician performs at the Magic Castle and has surprising and hilarious encounter with a celeb...
007 - Coincidences, Lost Connections, & Surprising Romances - Stories by Kris Sheppard, Graeme Reed, Ryan Kane, Ran'D Shine, Joe Diamond, and Mario the Maker Magician
February 14, 2021 07:42 - 38 minutes - 31.1 MBThis week's storytellers are Kris Sheppard, Graeme "Graemazing" Reed, Ryan Kane, Ran'D Shine, Joe Diamond, and Mario the Maker Magician. In this episode you'll hear stories that share themes of coincidences, lost connections, and for Valentine's Day, surprising romances. You'll hear three short stories about coincidences involving magicians and restaurants, a lost connection during a virtual show, a mysterious romantic encounter after a show, and how one magician met a woman he didn't re...
006 - Close Calls - Stories by Jason Canapp, Rudy Coby, and Shawn McMaster
February 08, 2021 06:45 - 31 minutes - 25.5 MBThis week's storytellers are Jason Canapp, grandson of the late magician Earl Canapp, Rudy Coby, and Shawn McMaster. In this episode you'll hear stories that share a common theme of "Close Calls." A young magician recalls assisting his grandfather on stage during a show after a mishap of getting there, a performer is almost buried alive in a large stage prop, and a very close call occures involving some irreplacable photographs of a legendary magician known as The Professor. The first ...
005 - Oops! - Stories by Frank Stiles, Ran'D Shine, and Graeme "Graemazing" Reed
February 01, 2021 07:17 - 22 minutes - 18.5 MBThis week's storytellers are Frank Stiles, Ran'D Shine, and Graeme "Graemazing" Reed. In this episode you'll hear about a show booking mishap, an accidental hypnotic induction, and a rather large broadcasting "oops." The first storyteller Frank Stiles is a magician and tells us about a miscommunication while booking a show that wasn't caught until it was too late. The second story comes from magician Ran'D Shine about the time he accidentally put a spectator under a hypnotic induction a...
004 - Modes of Transportation - Stories by Joe Diamond, Ran'D Shine, and Brian Glow
January 25, 2021 11:00 - 34 minutes - 28.3 MBThis week's storytellers are Joe Diamond, Ran'D Shine, and Brian Glow. In this episode you'll hear about a blindfold drive, a series of fortunate travel events, and a mysterious downed flight. The first story is by Joe Diamond, a mystery performer, and he tells us about all the things that went wrong before embarking on a blindfolded drive. The second story is a collection of short stories from Ran'D Shine about some overall fortunate things that have happened to hime while traveling....
003 - Liquids, Magic, and Failed Props - Stories by Christopher Alton, Kris Sheppard, and Graeme Reed
January 18, 2021 03:08 - 25 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this episode you'll hear about a failed magic prop, and problems that liquids can bring to performances. The first and second stories are from actor Christopher Alton talking first about a magic prop that failed live on stage and then about how he accidentally spilled a large number of drinks onto a big name guest that he was to interview as a radio host. The third story is more of a discussion between myself and Graeme "Graemazing" Reed, a magician out of Canada, about what can go w...
002 - Stage & Theatre Antics - Stories by Jonathan Pritchard, Christopher Alton, and Brian Glow
January 14, 2021 06:49 - 26 minutes - 21.8 MBThis episode features three stories. The first being from mentalist Jonathan Pritchard who talks about a stage prop that got manhandled and destroyed on stage by an audience member in its first performance. Our second story is from actor Christopher Alton talking about some fun experiences he's had live on stage (and in the wings). The third story comes from magician Brian Glow where he talks about an audience that vanished into thin air! Here's where you can find out more about thi...
001 - Missing the Boat - Stories by Niels Duinker, Frank Stiles, and Suzanne
January 13, 2021 07:01 - 27 minutes - 22.3 MBThis episode features three stories. The first being from juggler Niels Duinker telling about a series of missteps that ultimately led to him missing the cruise ship he was supposed to perform on. The second story is from magician Frank Stiles telling the story of how he was put on the spot to perform magic for his commander in the army without any preparation. The third story is from magician Suzanne, who told about an uncharacteristically quiet audience and then about how she came up ...