Thank you to everyone who supported my talk show, LAUGH! that played @ SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, FL this past Monday.  The event was wildly popular and successful as we packed the 200+ seat theater for two hours of stimulating talk and hilarity.  The show was far more entertaining than I imagined it would be.  As its producer, director, and host, my initial thoughts were "...hope this baby has wings."  Instead of Icarus falling from the sky, the show was more like the Wright Bros., and had a successful flight!  Each panelist held their own and added to the overall enjoyment to the show.  You can also read a story penned by SAK Comedy Lab about this wonderful event.

I would like to thank the following people and businesses for helping the project to its ultimate success:

SAK Comedy Lab and its Ensemble performers for their venue, time, energy, and humor.  Obviously, we could not do it without you.  A special recognition for John Hunter acting as a co-producer on this project.

All of the media outlets that publicized this event.  Special recognition to TheDailyCity.com, The Orlando Weekly, The Orlando Sentinel, and Radio Rickshaw on-line podcast as local businesses that really stepped up to promote this event.  This list of local companies champion local theater, and work tirelessly to promote theater appreciation worldwide.  I urge you to read, listen, and watch their programs.  Your patronage of those companies is vital to the theater-world's success.

Thanks and appreciation for the audience of LAUGH! who were made up of improvisational practioners, improv students, regular & 1st time time audience members and media.  We live in a country where we have the right to a peaceful assembly to share ideas and by showing up, we keep our rights alive.  We do theater for you our audience, and it was pleasure to do this for you. 

Thanks to my girlfriend who dealt with my momentary fits of anxiety by providing simple, clear proactive solutions.  Thank you very much sweetie!

The social networking sites YesAnd.com, FABactor.com, Linkedin, and Facebook.  These sites made it possible for direct contact to publicize this event.   Word of mouth is the most effective advertising so pleaase keep talking about those companies that support the overall enrichment of our community. 

Last but not least, I am most passionate about thanking Denna Eramo, Cody Bush, and the rest of the SAK volunteers that help to run the on-site event.  Cody provided a professionalism that is rare to find in a 17 year old.  He operated the tech for the show and made the actors look so good!  Denna, you truly get my utmost thanks.  At one point, I did not believe this event would be possible due to staffing issues.  I asked Denna if she had any ideas.  She simply said "I'll take care of it."  Just like that, Denna assembled a staff and provided the perfect service to our audience, our panelist, and propelled the show into a class of its own.  Denna also played best cheerleader that a producer could hope for.  Her support and dedication only inspired me to work more.

Many people have asked when the next show would be.  I will take some time off to regroup, analyze, and determine the next event.  A respected professional friend of mine observed this event was a good prototype for a future event with stronger production and more to offer the audience.  I agree with this observation, and so I shall revisit this potential project in good time.

Everyone should look to share their passions to the world at large.  When you speak up, inevitably like-minded people listen and gather to partake in what you say or do.  More joyous, they want to share with you thus creating a synergistic moment.  That special moment where people can have differences and still enjoy themselves and each other because they feel united by a shared passion.  It was my passion to share this idea to the world at large...and world showed up.  

Thanks, thanks, thanks.

Richard Regan Paul

Producer/ Director/Host of LAUGH!: The Live Talkshow on Improvisation, Comedy, and Theater