Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridgette Martin.
Hi Bridgette, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been in the comedy industry for almost two decades. After 12 years working for a comedy club, I started performing and toured all over the nation.
In May of 2021, I was diagnosed with liver disease. Travel became increasingly difficult, so I pulled myself off the road and returned behind the scenes to produce shows and provide representation to comedians I believe in.
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?
It has been a struggle!
In addition to the shared hardships that present themselves frequently for artists, I was subjected to a lot of misogynistic practices early on. I’m glad to see things are changing, but it’s still a shit show out there. Being a female who talks about her body wasn’t always popular with bookers. I feel sometimes my material was criticized more than some male counterparts who I thought were just as dirty, if not more so.
It’s also been difficult for every romantic relationship I’ve been in. And then the liver disease diagnosis screwed my world.
Would I say it’s been easy? No. But it’s been so much fun and I have learned so much.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Since my transition to mentorship and representing artists, I built fhc productions with my tour partner, Hilliary Begley (and first client!). We wanted to continue working together, and since I couldn’t be on the road with her, I could still help her stay on the road and produce shows in her hometown of Asheville. I started acting as her official agent and we started producing a series of shows in Asheville, The Last Weekend, a monthly set of shows on the last weekend of each month.
Soon after, I was approached by other comics to represent them, as well as organizations that wanted to produce comedy shows in different cities.
fhc productions specializes in producing entertainment events that promote a positive environment for all involved. We help comedians we have personally worked with to get out on the road more, giving them the opportunity to focus more on their craft. We believe in change through positive interactions and enjoy using our talents, as well as those of the many performers we have met along our journey, to promote the art of comedy and justice on many fronts. We work with nonprofits and schools to share the art form with students who have an interest in live performance.
Mentorship has become increasingly important to me, as I feel it’s missing in a lot of comedy scenes. So, I produce classes for the entertainment industry, like the Business of Comedy Class that is currently being taught in the southeast.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Until you hear the word “no,” keep asking. And you will have to ask – nobody will advocate for you except for you! Perseverance goes a long way in this industry.
Be easy to work with and promote yourself and your shows.
Don’t forget, everyone started somewhere.
Contact Info:
- Email: Bmartin.sscc@gmail.com
- Website: www.fhcproductions.co
- Instagram: @fhcproductions
- Facebook: @fhcproductions
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC0plVoe5qfO2EwriK_R0PcQ
Image Credits
Hilliary Begley Bridgette Martin Rayna Cahill
