Several warnings have been issued recently accusing bookers who have allegedly stiffed comedians. Earlier this week, Mike Dambra of Rochester, NY posted a bulletin accusing booker Sara Hurst of Imagine That Entertainment of cheating him out of pay for shows he performed June 24-26 in Ft. Wayne, IN. “Any sponsorship money that has been given to Sara Hurst and Imagine Entertainment was not paid to the entertainment as promised,” writes Dambra. “Only $100 out $1200 has been paid…with no effort on Miss Hurst’s part to comply with the balance.”
Two days later, Bubba Muski of Chicago,IL issued a bulletin warning comics of Venice Beach Artists, an organization offering “huge payouts to comedians involved in their showcases” at the Improv, but were asking for a registration fee. “There is no record that this show at The Improv exists, says Muski. “It appears as though this group is targeting young, African-American artists with the hopes of collecting a $500 payout. Please do not send them a registration fee without being given a written contract and having it reviewed by legal representation for your protection.”
A few hours later, STAGE TIME received a message from NYC comedian Mike DeStefano alerting comics that if they work for the Laughing Post or its owners Brant Flores, Patty Shipanik or Mike Kott, to make sure they are paid in cash. “They had me and another comic Jack Warren pay for our travel to Kalamazoo Michigan, perform four shows and then gave us both bum checks,” says DeStefano. “They then shut down the club and won’t return phone calls.”
