Life & Work with Geo Wagner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Geo Wagner

Hi Geo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
About 7 years ago, Facebook prompted me to join the Asheville Comedy community group. As I have always been a fan of comedy, I accepted. I saw a post about a local open mic and figured I’d check it out. I arrived a little late so I missed the sign up (I didn’t know that I probably could have gone up anyway), so I watched the show. After watching, I thought I could do that, so I tried the next week. It was rough. I have a pretty good memory, so I was sure I didn’t need notes. But the second I stepped on the stage, my mind went blank. Luckily, I had stories about my kids and my dad that I’ve told for years that I was able to tell. But after that, I did not let my pride override the need to have notes. I hit multiple open mics every week. I started producing a show in Asheville where comedians could get the opportunity to perform and get a decent pay. Too many shows treat comics like they are not valuable. I made sure they were paid as well as I could and paid immediately. Then COVID hit and stand up comedy came to a screeching halt. Comedians had little choice. Either they took a break or they found an alternative. I took the latter option and jumped on the Zoom bandwagon. I was doing 3-4 zoom mics a day and took my show online. It was a tough time, but tried to make the best of it. After the lockdown, it was difficult to get back to where we were. I was never able to get the following we had prior to the pandemic and eventually had to shut it down. On my personal comedy adventure, I moved out of just the Asheville area, spending time in the Greenville SC and Charlotte, NC areas as well as my previous home area in Toledo, OH area. I started doing some acting over the last year or so, nothing big, but it’s been fun. So, now, after these 7 years, what started as a side activity has gradually become more. Recently, at the recommendation of others in the industry, I have begun the search for an agent to try to move into more of a vocation than just for fun. Where this goes, no one can say, but I have decided to ride this train to see where it goes. If nothing else, going to have some laughs. Hoping a lot of others do as well

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. Have had to maneuver through a global pandemic, tried to build a following for a live show, but the biggest challenge has been, and still is, overcoming personal biases and prejudices

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a stand up comedian, actor, and singer. The thing I am most proud of is my show, both the live and virtual versions. Giving comedians an avenue to perform and a payment for their effort is my proudest achievement in my comedy career so far. I find myself in a small group in the comedy community who are focused on making the community better more than their personal success. I personally feel the every success in the comedy scene benefits us all. A rising tide lifts all boats.

What are your plans for the future?
I am currently looking for representation, trying to expand my options. I hope to get more success. I am creating some Tshirts based on one of my bits that hopefully will increase my exposure as well as provide some income

Contact Info:

• Website: http://tiny.cc/geowagner
• Instagram: ComedyGeo
• Facebook: Geo.BD.Comedy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComedyGeoW