Today we’d like to introduce you to Quenton Coleman.
Quenton, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My comedy career started about 15 years ago at a poetry open mic, I asked to perform comedy at the end of the evening and with the five minutes I was given, I fell in love with the reaction of comedy and the comedy business. It wasn’t easy after being known as a poet for several years to trying to become known as a comedian, the transition was pretty hard. I did not have to respect from the local comics. Even though, I had the same fan base if not more. Frustration set in from not being able to touch comedy stages so my comedy concept came to me in a dream and birthed, We Got Next.
I started We Got Next on a Thursday night in a small venue called heroes my house. Eventually, booking most of the comments that gave me a hard time when I first started comedy. In hindsight, I had to earn their respect and understood why they made me work for it.
Fast forward to 2018, I have produced over 40 comedy shows in the Dallas Fort Worth area, I’ve also produced in nine other cities and by the end of 2018, I would have produced 10 comedy shows in seven different countries on cruise ships. I’m a firm believer in hard work pays off. I think what has help me out is that I’m not afraid of the work. I’m the guy that produces the show, passes out flyers, books the show and picks up talent. I think what has help me out is that I’m not afraid of the work. Learning how to put together a comedy show from start to finish has helped me in the long run because one day, I want to own and run my own comedy club.
I consider myself somewhat of a “comedy A & R” when on the road doing shows, I’m always checking out the comics on the show to see where they can fit with We Got Next.
Currently, I’m co-producing a comedy series called “Too Funny Tuesday’s” with Lava Cantina in The Colony. I was able to book 6 weeks (4 comics per night) in 48 hours. I’ve been blessed to meet and work with some of the funniest comics working. Many of them with TV credits and traveling the world doing comedy. I definitely could not do this without being honest and consistent. I value my name and brand. Something, I’m pretty proud about.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road, which is OK. As with anything, you run into speed bumps along the way but it builds character. Every time I’m told “no”, it motivates me.
Most comedians goals are to be on stage at a comedy club. Luckily, we have five comedy clubs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Unfortunately, there are a lot of comedians in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. So, the stage time can be at times scarce.
Unless you’re a regular at the open mic or in the booker face, you can be forgotten. The blessing in that is the reason, I’m not able to stay in the talent booker face is because I’m busy putting my own shows together. I’m hopeful that when it’s time to get booked on their stage, it will happen. I’m focused more on being their competition these days.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Comedian Q’s We Got Next Comedy Series – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have a few things going on. Stand up comic. I also help with booking for comedian Keisha Hunt out of Houston. I have a promotion/event company called, Quality Events Dallas. Since, I was always promoting my shows, it just made sense to create something I could use for myself and others. Currently, we promote and produce a Saturday night event called, “Evolve” at Union Park where we fuse some live music like a singer or sax player with a DJ spining RnB and old school hip hop. And on Sundays, we book live bands in a great space in the Shops Of Legacy at The Brixton. Along with the Comedy Night each Tuesday at Lava Cantina. I’m most proud of my baby We Got Next. When I meet comics from different cities and they say “I’ve heard about you and We Got Next” If comics are speaking positive about a room, word spreads fast. It means a lot coming from other comics.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the fact that there is a gang of opportunity here in Dallas. What I like least about Dallas is the toll roads!
I can do without.
Contact Info:
- Email: wegotnextcomedyseries@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Natural Moments by Lina’Chelle
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