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Meet Steph DeWaegeneer
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Title: Director of Creative Sales, Improv Comedian
College Path: Bachelor of Fine Arts — Theatre
How you ended up here: I was living in Houston. After seven years of telling people I was moving to Chicago, my friends and co-workers finally had enough of me. They basically dared me to go or shut up! I arrived in Chicago in December ’97 with $50 in my pocket, and I haven’t looked back yet!
How long you’ve been at it: I’ve been performing in ComedySportz since 1991 (Houston 1991-’97, Chicago 1998-present). To make a long story short, a series of cosmic events lined up one day in November ’98, and a job in Group Sales at ComedySportz was available. My job description has changed numerous times, and I’ve handled many duties, from P.R. to Payroll. The staff has also grown from two people to a full-time staff of seven! |
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Who you answer to: My clients! I wake up every morning with the dedication that my primary concern is to keep our clients engaged and excited about working with ComedySportz. I want to design and deliver a distinctive brand experience. Whether we’re supplying live talent for a special event at Marshall Field’s or entertaining a group of FA’s from Robert W. Baird after dinner, ComedySportz always delivers on our promise of providing top-rate, smart comedy.
Hours you expect to be at work: Generally, I am in the office Monday-Friday from 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Sometimes it’s a 10-hour day. Sometimes a 12-hour-plus day. I still perform in our professional ensemble, so it’s possible to be in the theater from 10:00 a.m. until past midnight! I also travel to many of our client’s locations across the nation to perform or lead corporate workshops.
Important Projects: We spent 2005 working in a strategic alliance with Blue Chip Casino (a Boyd Gaming property). The date we’d all worked toward was last month when 10 of our performers lead the entire 1,300-person staff and executive team in an employee rally celebrating the launch of their brand new vessel. We’d become such a part of the family, I don’t know who was more excited to see the new ship — and celebrate!
Best perk: I really enjoy the travel associated with my job. I’ve become a very familiar face at the Southwest Airlines gates.
I have trouble dealing with: The dark chocolate I have stashed in my desk.
Do you consider improv comedy an art form? Sure! Because it’s the way I express myself creatively. My professional résumé includes live theatre, directing, short films and stand-up comedy. Nothing else makes me feel the connection with my co-performers (and the audience) that I feel with improvisation.
I know it’s a good day when: I’ve change someone’s life by changing their perception or causing a breakthrough in their attitude. Hundreds of mid-level managers have been through countless trainings-of-the-month. Usually, the excitement wears off by the next day. We ensure that there will be a follow-up process with our clients. I’ve had people come up to me at the end of a three-hour workshop with big smiles and hugs saying, “I was wary of yet another workshop, but this was awesome!”
What your friends assume you do: Have fun all day — and I usually do!
What is the best part of making people laugh? Helping people to let go of the day-to-day stress feels great! The sound of a laughing audience is awesome. I won’t deny that I’m a bit of a ham.
Do people you meet expect you to be funny all the time? When they first me – yes. Well, in truth, after they get to know me too. However, I am in no way the funniest person in the room and don’t try to be. That’s one of the first things we teach the students in the ComedySportz Training Center: “Don’t try to be funny.” Natural, organic behavior, based in reality, always makes the most memorable moments. Think about the Homer Simpson quote, “It’s funny ’cause it’s true.”
How do you balance meeting with large corporations one day to making a fool of yourself on stage the next? I bring an upbeat and positive attitude with me wherever I go. Whether it’s the Macy’s board room or center stage, I like to keep things interesting. Performing a ComedySportz show free of profanity means that I am playing at the height of my intelligence. Performing clean comedy makes it easy to be professional and appropriate with clients.
Spontaneity in life is … That’s tough for me because I’m a bit of a planner. I am known as the eccentric, spontaneous one in civilian circles and the responsible one in artistic circles.
What might you change if given the chance: The perception that we tell jokes about sports. WE DON’T.
Why you wear a smile when you come to work: Have you ever seen 20 local improvisers dressed up in red shirts, fake beards, and fake moustaches getting ready to board a bus headed to Sears as Bob Villa look-a-likes? If that doesn’t make you smile, nothing will.
A Chicago comedy crowd can best be described as… Responsive! You always know where you stand with a Chicago audience. They’ll let you know immediately whether they are with you or against you.
Advice for joining the field: Anyone in Sales knows that you can be successful in any industry provided you believe 100 percent in the product or service you are selling. I moved to Chicago because I truly believed ComedySportz set the standard for all other live entertainment and comedy companies.
Previously published in The Real Chicago by Trent Modglin |
