DON'T BLAME THE AUDIENCE
Collaborating with Maron, Mirman, Gulman, Kirkman and other comedians, Rick Jenkins has run The Comedy Studio for 20+ years.
SOMERVILLE, MA
Rick Jenkins runs The Comedy Studio where he’s collaborated with Maron, Mirman, Gulman, Kirkman and so many comedians in an intentionally casual environment. As emcee, Rick decided early on that it’s “impossible to blame the audience”. Instead he makes great efforts to ensure a great evening. For example he plays silly films and music beforehand just “in case you’re having a bad date”.
For 20 years The Comedy Studio was located in the attic of the Hong Kong Restaurant in Harvard Square. Rick worked out a sweetheart deal with the restaurant owners where he’d get an insane deal on rent and they’d get the alcohol and food sales. As time went on, Rick decided he could grow the business and start collecting the food and alcohol sales himself. Yet, that would require a new space, a lot of build out, and a huge amount of capital.
Raising money is never easy, but it can be fun. Rick played to his strengths of being casual in his pitch. He raised the funds to build out and launch The Comedy Studio in the Bow Market of Somerville, where there’s over 30+ boutique start ups. He raised the capital through private asks, fundraising events, hardhat tours, and crowdfunding. His 20 years of emceeing The Comedy Studio taught him that he’s responsible for the emotions people feel in his presence when he asks for what he needs. It’s no surprise he’s kept a 20 year institution feeling fresh and cozy and at the same time scaled it into its next evolution.
INTERVIEW
PITCH VIDEO
PODCAST
DISCUSSION
On stage, Rick is demonstrative. All of his jokes have a purpose to them, they warm up the audience. And his introductions are short and impactful, because nobody likes to be bored. In Rick’s pitch video, he makes it absolutely clear that he knows exactly where every part of the new Comedy Studio will be in the final build out, where the bar will be located, and how you’ll order for example. All of these details build trust between Rick and his audience.
Q: In your pitch, how can you make it absolutely clear to your audience what you’re doing and how it will work?
Rick says that “If you’re excited ‘Hey this is going to be great!’ the audience will follow your lead. If you go like ‘Hey it’s going to be friendly and kind of low-key’ the audience will follow your lead. Whatever attitude you take, the audience is going to follow.” The tone for your pitch should be aligned with your value proposition - the actual problem you’re solving. Is this a goofy or serious pitch? Do you want them to feel soaring or grounded? Revisiting your Values will shed some light on tones you can take that would be authentic to you, but be ready to stretch yourself.
Q: What’s the right emotion for your pitch? How will you take your audience there?