Providing an opportunity on MySpace for local comics and comics who perform regularly in the Tri-State Area (OH, KY and IN) to get information, to network and to support one another.
Comedians, comedy clubs and comedy fans in the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area. We would also like for YOU to meet some of Cincinnati Comic Stop's friends. So each month, we will be featuring a comic right here!
And this month, NOW FEATURING . . . . . . Linda Gambino!
Linda Gambino has been performing stand up since she "graduated" from The Comedy School at The Funnybone On The Levee in Newport, Kentucky, in March 2006.
Linda has several favorite parts about being a comic: Like, the people she has met and the friends she has made in this industry. Linda feels her little sheltered world has expanded, and she has grown as a person because of the people she has met. Linda said her comedy friends are a new lifeline for her and she can count on them for anything, whether it's a kind word if she is feeling down, good advice on comedy, and the occasional "WTF were you thinking when you wrote THAT joke???!!!" Then there is the fact that she loves a good challenge.
The least favorite part of being a comic for Linda is the obsession she has with writing new material and the fact she feels she eats way too many chicken fingers at comedy clubs.
Her best moments were when she emceed for Glen Jensen (feature) and Greg Morton at The Funnybone On The Levee. They watched EVERY set she did and gave her advice after each show which paid off as she worked on her order, pauses, etc. After implementing those changes she had four applause breaks by the last show on Sunday. Another best moment was finally having a joke work after tweaking it week after week. Also counted among her best moments are seeing her comedy friends succeed and move up the ladder -- whether they got a new bit to work, get a spot on “The Bob and Tom Showâ€, or if they've had an incredible set or week, it makes her happy when they do well and they are happy.
Worst moments? Linda recalls having a few too many shots on her birthday and then going on stage slurring and singing. She said she won’t ever do that again.
Linda hasn’t had too many hecklers, but knows she will. The few she had, she has been able to shut down before it got out of hand. Linda credits being a mom to three kids for her success in handling hecklers thus far.
Best advice she has been given? Be fearless. That was told to her comedy class by Jeff Jena. You can show no fear while onstage. Other good advice was given during a two-day seminar at Go Bananas by Ricky Guitierrez. He said it's important to go onstage with the frame of mind saying, "Listen to me! I have something to tell you, and it's hilarious!" He also stressed that we must believe in our material.
Linda’s best advice to new comics is to keep writing. EDIT. Shorten things up. And do as many open mics as you possibly can when you first start. Every time you take the stage, you gain more confidence.
Goals for comedy? To keep performing as much as she can, and to keep writing new original material AND to keep having fun.
Linda would like Cincinnati Comic Stop visitors to know that she is obsessed with Steven Tyler, Chipotle and Photoshop.
For more information about Linda, click on her picture which is now located as Cincinnati Comic Stop's top friend.