Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Way.
Hi Roger, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always nurtured a passion for protecting and entertaining children. I discovered in high school that humor held a secret key to disarming bullies and attracting friends. My defender side led me to a law enforcement career with the U.S. Air Force. I excelled at planning and presenting positive school programs such as Officer Friendly, D.A.R.E., and Law Enforcement Explorers.
My interest in magic began long before that fueled by television programs such as Mark Wilson’s Magic Land of Alakazam and the original Mickey Mouse Club. This interest combined with my law enforcement career while investigating criminal cases involving children. Small pocket magic tricks with coins, candy treats, and toys helped to relax children traumatized as witnesses and victims to violent and damaging acts. Smiles inspired trust. Trust motivated testimony.
My younger years were heavily influenced by television kidshow hosts like Mister Rogers, Captain Kangaroo (Bob Keeshan), local Cleveland, Ohio celebrities Barnaby (Linn Sheldon) and Captain Penny (Ron Penfound). Their gentle way of speaking directly and supportively to each child sitting in front the screen and in person appealed to me. I adapted this positive approach when dealing with trauma affected children. My magic and humor found natural, more relaxed off-duty outlets away from the trauma. The ability to create heartfelt laughter resulted in many remarkable friendships during my USAF residences in Greece, Germany, Italy, and across the U.S.
After retiring from the service, I explored various career options including civilian law enforcement, private investigations, and industrial security management. Nothing appealed to me. A Veterans Administration counselor suggested that decades of dealing with children in pain left its own traumatizing mark upon my spirit. It was time to move on.
Stand-up comedy was at its peak of popularity at the time. I decided to give it a try. I dove into comedy and acting classes and began showing up for open mics and comedy club cattle calls. I joined a friend making comedy balloon bouquet deliveries with the contrived comedy characters Digger Dan the undertaker, Officer Dan the age enforcement officer, Doctor Dan the geriatric proctologist, and Happy Dan the magic man. For the next ten years I performed at Southeastern comedy and military clubs with an incredibly talented comedy troupe named Stand-up Underground.
My children’s character, Happy Dan, quickly grew into my most popular character. He gradually morphed into full festival, commercial, and private performances. Before long, the “adult” Dan characters faded away as Happy Dan’s demand soared. I researched the ideal family markets for my kidshow character and selected the rapidly growing Raleigh-Durham – Chapel Hill Triangle.
I patterned my Happy Dan character after the patience and gentle positivity of my childhood TV idols. Children’s programming today is atrocious. It is filled with lesson-driven animated characters and a few over-the-top adult actors. I can’t think of a single living approachable adult on television offering a personal, supportive and positive role model for today’s children. I was determined to fill that tragic gap with a lovable, huggable, humorously catastrophic favorite uncle. That’s Happy Dan.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Challenges help us grow. It was difficult at first supporting myself and my family on a novice entertainer’s meager income. Working towards comedic independence often required 14-18 hour days seven days a week. Entertainers work holidays when we might prefer to be with family. We often work under trying conditions, rain or shine, in high heat or freezing cold. I’ve faced intoxicated comedy club patrons rushing the stage offended by a particular joke and six-year-olds curiously rooting through my magic case like it was their best friend’s toy box. It goes with the job.
I accepted an office manager’s position with a very supportive and understanding Cary orthodontist. He offered a very flexible schedule that allowed me to continue growing as an entertainer. His kindness and support gave me the freedom to build Happy Dan into a strong Triangle brand.
Of course there was the entire COVID fiasco with my target audiences – schools, libraries, restaurants, festivals, and private parties – all shutting down cold for nearly two years then VERY slowly recovering. In the early 70’s, one of my earliest magic mentors told me to systematically place ten percent of of every check into savings and investments and leave it be. I praised his name every time I drew from these accounts to pull my family through that devastating period.
One thing keeps me going through it all. The golden and precious sound of laughing children convinced that the magnificent power of their magical imagination is somehow causing trouble for Happy Dan. That makes it all worth while.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As already mentioned, I am an artist. My palette holds the colors of slapstick and cerebral humor along with curious feats of magic. My canvas is each child’s face, heart, and self-confidence along with the heartfelt smiles of their parents. Around 2012, I left the adult comedy clubs behind and focused entirely on the children. My favorite parental comment was, “You must have thousands of groupies – all under six.” To echo Mister Rogers’ sentiment, they are all individually important to me – each and every one.
My performances support three vital tenants in each child’s life: The importance of positive adult role models, the power and pleasure found in reading, and the awe and wonder found in an unleashed imagination – with a healthy and LOUD dose of belly jiggling laughter. I don’t do quiet shows – much to the consternation of more than a few librarians. My repeat clients wouldn’t have it any other way.
I end each show sitting on the edge of the stage or on the floor and chatting with the children. I am most proud of the fact that after nearly every show, the children feel safe enough to high five, offer a caring hug, and ask questions that I am happy to answer.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my artistic approach to family entertainment. I earn my living as Happy Dan, but it is never about the money. I am an abysmal businessman. I never let budgets come between me and a smile. I love what I do and those I do it all for. I think that passion shines through. I am at peace trading a yacht or a penthouse apartment for those occasional little hugs.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentors! I struggled my first few years doing the most pathetic shows. The pros made it look so easy. Buy a colorful few props, book a show, dodge the tomatoes. My first few mentors complimented my skill then firmly slapped me on the back of the head and kicked me into acting and comedy classes. They taught me things like showmanship, audience management, marketing, handling money – everything except magic and comedy! I owe my success – and the odd bald spot on the back of my head – to these remarkable and giving men and women.
There comes a time, however, when the apprentice drifts away from the master seeking his own course. I took what they taught me and forged my own unique path as a children’s mirthologist. This creates a natural vacuum. A gap in search of a bridge. Networks form these bridges. I connected with a few select individuals with a similar passion traveling a parallel path. One worldwide entertainment network meets irregularly across social media. A professional magic group meets for dinner each week and a professional children’s entertainer group meets for lunch each week. We share, critique, advise, and direct – in short, we mentor one another and share a delightful meal as part of the deal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HappyDanMagic.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappyDanMagic
