Thom Kaz, a Las Vegas based professional speaker, trainer and entertainer specializing in Subconscious Sales Training, Motivation Programs, and Entertainment. He has over twenty years experience in the field of sales and marketing, and has performed his unique brand of hypnotic entertainment and sales training for major corporations throughout the United States. In 2004, Thom completed a successful one-year engagement in Las Vegas performing his “Rock n’ Roll Hypnosis Show” on the famous Las Vegas Strip. The show was named a “Top Ten Best Value” by the Las Vegas Advisor, and “One of the Best” by USA Today. A combination of dynamic energy integrated with a solid stage presence and an entertaining show allows Thom to reach a diverse audience with the message that you can accomplish whatever you wish as long as you believe that you can.
In addition, Thom is passionate about helping children to become inspired to reach for their dreams. . As the founder of Home Run Against Drugs, and as a former professional player, he shares his story to motivate and inspire others to chase their dreams and make a difference. The non-profit program, which works with Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, elementary schools and youth programs across America, has reached over 250,000 children to date and provides over 25,000 personalized books annually to children, at no cost to the child, to encourage a healthy, drug free lifestyle and promote literacy. Thom also conducts his “Reach for the Stars” Assembly Program to High Schools to assist students in seeing the power of the mind and that by setting goals and focusing on what you want, rather than what you don’t want, you can achieve success.
As a speaker, trainer and motivator with over 20 years experience, Thom’s personal mission is to educate and enlighten individuals about the power of the human mind, promote mind and body wellness, and to create powerful strategies and skill sets to foster a positive environment for leadership and success.
Born Oct. 19, 1970, in Sherman Oaks, CA, Kattan was the son of Hajnalka E. Biro, a Hungarian model and Kip King, an actor who was a founding member of the famed Los Angeles acting troupe, The Groundlings. Raised by his mother and psychoanalyst stepfather in a Zen community outside of Los Angeles, Kattan and his family relocated to Brisbane Island, WA for his high school years, where the young man developed a reputation as the class clown. Returning to California, Kattan joined The Groundlings alongside future peers like Jennifer Coolidge and supported himself with a variety of odd jobs. After a handful of minor roles, including guest spots on "NewsRadio" (NBC, 1995-99) and "Grace Under Fire" (ABC, 1993-98), he earned his big break in 1996 when "Saturday Night Live" hired him. Quickly emerging as a nervy, aggressive asset, Kattan developed a reputation for comedic fearlessness with characters like Suel Forrester, the vaguely Cajun, gibberish-spewing drill sergeant, and Mr. Peepers, the apple-spewing monkey man. As meek Goth-wannabe teen Azrael Abyss, Kattan displayed a sillier side, while he earned laughs for a masterfully absurd performance as Mango, the temperamental stripper no male or female can resist. Meanwhile, he delved into a number of celebrity impersonations, with a wide range that included Clay Aiken, Al Pacino and Queen Elizabeth II.
Meanwhile, the actor made a memorably meta guest starring appearance on the hit sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother", playing the obnoxious film version of the show's main character, Ted (Josh Radnor). He regained some professional footing with a likable recurring role as Bob, the lonely but well-meaning coworker of Patricia Heaton's used-car saleswoman on the widely praised sitcom "The Middle".
The incredibly hilarious and talented Chris Kattan along with special guests Finesse Mitchell and Jeff Richards are coming to Stardome April 12-15! Please enjoy the following article courtesy of Black and White's Chuck Geiss.
Chris Kattan is best known for his career on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2003 where he worked with a memorable cast creating a diverse group of oddball personalities. His recurring characters included Mr. Peepers, Mango, Azrael Abyss, Kyle DeMarco from The DeMarco Brothers, Gay Hitler, and Suel Forrester (known for the term "dagitybo"). He may be best remembered for being one half of the Butabi Brothers with fellow SNL (and Groundlings) cast member Will Ferrell and their trademark head-bobbing.
He honed his skills beginning in high school when he realized he had a knack for the trade, later becoming a member of several improvisational comedy troupes, one of them being The Groundlings in his hometown of Los Angeles. His father was an original member of the troupe. His life has since simmered from the fast-paced life of New York City into a calmer world of appearances on popular television programs and a few stints in advertising commercials. For the past four months, he has been working on a national tour of stand up comedy.
Black & White: Let’s get to the basics. What made you get involved with the Groundlings?
Kattan: My Dad was one the founders of the Groundlings, and I would watch him on weekends. He was [performing] with Phil Hartman, John Lovitz, and I got to see Paul Reubens create the Pee Wee Herman character firsthand. There was a lot of character development and amazing improvisation. I probably didn’t understand the brilliance of it all at the time, but I knew they were getting great laughs and it looked they were having the time of their life. It looked like they were so happy. So I responded to that.
Black & White: Were you the class clown when you were young?
Kattan: Um, I think I was.
Black & White: Have you always been funny?
Kattan: I started with impressions. My first impression was Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone. I would tuck my lip under my teeth, and it was weird, but it was funny. But then I did impressions of Pee Wee Herman for a high school pep assembly. I don’t think anyone knew what I was going to do before I did it, but I got a lot of respect for being brave and that is where my fearlessness began. From there, I never felt like I ever had anything to lose.
Black & White: Did you gravitate to comedy because of your Dad, or was it the art of improvisational comedy that drew you there?
Kattan: My Mom never urged me to go in that direction, but my Dad did because he was in the business. She taught me other things, perhaps because she didn’t see that in me. But I thought it was cool.
Black & White: Your characters are insane, what is that all about?
Kattan: I’ve always been committed in most everything I do, and for those characters it was 150 percent all the time. I don’t know why I developed characters that we wound up using a lot [on SNL]. Many times Lorne [Michaels] would be put me in the sketch after Weekend Update because that was the part of the show that needed a boost.
Black & White: Where did Mango come from?
Kattan: My dog, a Dalmatian. She played this coy game of touch my back or swat my rear and her face would look over like she was sad, or just, ‘hey, check out my ass.’ But it was a mix of things. I invented the voice that went with it. Then, people at the show [SNL] went with it and added to the character. So, it wound up being the aspect of ‘you can’t have me,’ and ‘now you can,’ and back and forth, which is where it kind of goes over the top.
Black & White: If I met you on the street would you resemble what I see on TV?
Kattan: No. Women tell me I am much more better looking than on TV (laughs), but much more likable. My characters are so crazy. It was just SNL. And now my work is more centered, and I grew out of the phase of having to be so insane.
Black & White: What is your show like?
Kattan: It’s a séance. We speak to the other side.
Black & White: Really? (I sense I’m being duped)
Kattan: Who would you like to talk to?
Black & White: John F. Kennedy.
Kattan: Why is that?
Black & White: He had a lot of sex. I’d like all the names. Look, this conversation is now more about me than you. Why is that?
Kattan: At the beginning of the conversation, I really liked you and now I don’t. This conversation is going South fast.
Black & White: Well, welcome to the South. Let’s just agree not to be friends. So, I found your SNL humor to be outrageous.
Kattan: That was not my plan. It ended up that way.
Black & White: I don’t want to be mean, but you are odd looking.
Kattan: I’m actually very good looking. But I can do a lot of Jim Carrey oddball stuff and contort my body to do strange things. That makes me appear odd.
Black & White: What we will see in Birmingham when you get here? Are you on a scheduled tour?
Kattan: It is a tour. This tour started because some people asked me to do stand up. I thought well, yeah, I would be good, and I wanted to get some energy going in a different way, not just jokes, but other things, too. An agent came up to me with a game plan and within three months we got offers, and we received a lot of great feedback. The reason we are doing this is because we are being encouraged and audiences appear to appreciate it.
Black & White: Do you write all of your own stuff?
Kattan: Yes.
Black & White: Are the shows the same from night to night?
Kattan: Well, to an extent, but there is improv, too, depending of the composition of the audience, so I would say its about 50/50. Generally, I’m fine with improvising the act. There is a thing I did with The Groundlings, with Kathy Griffin, Janeane Garofalo, Will Ferrell, and they would just talk for about ten minutes as the egg timer would run until the bell rang. It was a great way to write and come up with jokes, and I was very comfortable with that approach.
Black & White: Do audiences in different parts of the country respond to your act differently?
Kattan: Yes, they do. It’s not extreme, but I do think there is a difference where you can get away with darker stuff and just saying whatever.
Black & White: Just curious, do you know Chris Rock?
Kattan: Yes. He’s a very sweet guy. Rather normal.
Black & White: I don’t know what to think of you SNL guys. You all seem so intense and out of this world. What is like to be an SNL cast member?
Kattan: We’re basically just bored. But most of us are surprisingly simple. It can be a very lonely place. Personally I found it to be an up and down land.
Black & White: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kattan: I want to become my own best friend.
Black & White: Wow, that’s deep.
Kattan: I’d like to go through a phase where I really like Journey again. Steve Perry, you know, how do you forget that kind of stuff? I thought their songs were good, but I guess they do fit onto the ‘making fun’ list. They had the stupid, dumb, over-painted spaceship album covers, like space beetles. What do you think that was that all about?
Black & White: Never was sure, I stopped believing a long time ago. So, what do you know about Birmingham?
Kattan: Isn’t it the home of the transistor radio? Give me a hint, is it cheese? I don’t know. Did Birmingham invent the piñata? Is it a nice place?
Black & White: It is a nice place. I just wondered if you had an impression.
Kattan: I used to date a girl from Alabama. She was a dancer. She had young pictures of herself with a tiara. Other than that, I sense it’s warm and muggy. Are there mosquitoes there?
Black & White: There will be this year. But, hopefully, not when you get here.
Chris Kattan appears at The Comedy Club Stardome from April 12-15 along with special guests Finesse Mitchell and Jeff Richards, both cast members from Saturday Night Live. Tickets are available at 205-444-0008, or www.stardome.com.
We dare you to make us LAUGH! Ricky Smiley, Heath Hyche, Matt Davis, Mickey Dean, Joe Hobby and Henry Welch are just a few of the HUGE talents that got their big break through the Stardome’s Open Mic Night!!
Do you hear that?! It’s OPPORTUNITY knocking on your door! We are talking to YOU, the funny guy or girl in the office everyone says should be a comedian!! Comedy is a beautiful thing in that it embraces all ages, all races, men, and women… and every single famous comedian’s road began at an open mic just like this one. So, if you have ever even considered the possibility that stand up comedy is for you, Stardome’s Open Mic Night is perfect for you.
They say in show business it takes one guy to make you famous. One guy who sees you and believes in you and jump starts your career. Bruce Ayers is that guy. Bruce has always been committed to opening the door of opportunity for up and coming comedians. The comics who win our open mic contest get to perform on one of the most famous comedy stages in the country, The StarDome Main Stage. If you win the finals you are guaranteed a paid performance as an opening act here at the StarDome. The finals are judged by Bruce and CheChe Ayers, the owners of the Stardome.
We caught up with one of last year’s Open Mic Night winners, Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson. This talented hometown boy from Birmingham has gone on to entertain audiences across the southeast, and many believe he has the potential to etch his name in the history books alongside some of the comedy greats.
Stardome: What were your experiences with stand-up prior to participating in Stardome's Open Mic Night?
Jermaine: I was traveling around the southeast with a national headliner just trying to make a name for myself.Five minutes here, ten minutes there, just trying to get better by learning and growing my set!
Stardome: After winning Open Mic Night last year, you performed on the main stage at Stardome… what was that like?
Jermaine: It was UNBELIEVABLE! I’ve seen so many headliners on that stage and you hear about the Stardome so much growing up in Birmingham that to actually grace that stage meant the world to me! I’ll never forget it!
Stardome: Has your experience with Stardome opened up more opportunities for you?
Jermaine: Definitely! When you tell people anywhere that you are a comedian from Birmingham, their first question is ALWAYS "have you done the Stardome?" With that on my resume, people have started to take notice at other clubs, colleges, and cities!
Stardome: What advice would you give to potential Open Mic participants?
Jermaine: Be Clean. Be Respectful. Stick to your script. Have Fun. Get Better.
Jermaine is definitely a rising star in the comedy circuit and a true Stardome Open Mic success story. To learn more about this great talent go to www.funnymaine.com.
Check out this video compilation of some
of our Open Mic participants in action!
Open Mic participants are required to have 5-7 minutes of clean, original material. The best performers chosen from each Open Mic Night compete at a Finale Show with the winner given up to 10 minutes on the Main Stage opening for one of our featured acts!!
Are you ready to make your mark
on the StarDome… and beyond?
Ever since Chicago native Aries Spears was 14 years old, he has been a force to be reckoned with on the comedy scene. His quick wit, charisma and ferociously aggressive style of comedy have earned him critical acclaim, high accolades, and above all, a busy schedule. With eight years as a principle player on the popular sketch show, “Mad TV,” Aries is now starring with iconoclastic Damon Wayans in a brand-new show on Showtime called “The Underground”, a half-hour sketch comedy series to premiere on the network September 14th.
Referring to the riotous, groundbreaking ’90s sketch comedy show that launched careers for him, his siblings, Wayans says of “The Underground.” “It’s ‘In Living Color’ on steroids…it will be everything we weren’t allowed to do on broadcast television.” Dean Lorey (“My Wife and Kids”) directs Wayans and fellow writer/ensemble cast members, including Groundlings players Edi Patterson and Mikey Day (“Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out”), and Damon Wayans Jr., among others. While the show features recurring sketch characters, parodies of pop culture and a new generation of sketch performers alongside Damon, it also features more sketches filmed outside the studio along with an eclectic mix of dance, music, and other visual arts used as interstitial moments. There are also some fly-on-the-wall glimpses into behind-the-scenes moments showing how this show is put together and how the sketches develop.
Aries has also found great success in the world of feature films. At the age of 17, after being spotted in a comedy club, Aries landed a part in the movie “Home of Angels” which also starred Abe Vigoda and Sherman Helmsley. He then appeared in “Out Of Sync,” and portrayed Red Foxx in Warner Brothers’ “Why Do Fools Fall In Love.” In addition, he starred alongside John Leguizamo in TriStar’s “The Pest” and delivered his most notable performance to date as Cuba Gooding Jr’s brother in Columbia’s blockbuster hit “Jerry Maguire” directed by Cameron Crowe. Last year, Aries was featured in the film “Jiminy Glick In Lalawood.” The movie also starred Martin Short and Janeane Garafolo. In the movie, Aries was able to show off his impressive improv abilities, as the movie was nearly all improvisation.
Aries has received accolades for his hit comedy album, I Ain’t Scared. The album, recorded live at the world famous Icehouse in Pasadena, California, is a two-disc set, one with an hour of brilliant stand-up, the other with prank phone calls (way beyond and hipper than the Jerky Boys!).
As a principal cast member on Fox’s hit, sketch comedy show, “MAD TV,” Aries brought a fresh, hip style to the already edgy show. The producers made full use of many of Aries’ talents by calling on him frequently to write sketches and create new hilarious characters. Among the many recurring characters that Aries was famous for on the show include; Mother Love, The Klump Family, El Diablo Negro and Talkin’ American. Aries also boasted a number of uproarious impersonations on the show that include James Brown, Al Pacino, and his childhood idol Eddie Murphy. The Aries-branded sketch, “Talkin’ American” was “MAD TV’S” most popular bit the minute it hit the airwaves, keeping fans tuned in, and boosting “MAD’S” Saturday night ratings impressively. Aries can be seen in guest appearances on Fox’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” where he has created some of the show’s funniest characters.
Aries was born April 3, 1975 in Chicago but grew up in New Jersey. He remembers at the young age of 6 being the funnyman of the household and impersonating family members at the dinner table during holidays. By age 14, Aries was belting out his fresh comedy stylings in front of paying audiences at local clubs around his hometown. Shortly thereafter, he appeared on Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam” on HBO and “Showtime at The Apollo.” From then on, the word was out about the prodigal superstar and in 1992, Aries moved to Los Angeles. He quickly landed a recurring role on NBC’s “A Different World,” and was signed to a huge development deal at one of the major television studios. The following year, Aries starred in the short-lived CBS’ series “South of Sunset” with former Eagles’ guitarist, Glenn Frey. Although the series didn’t last long, it did not discourage other networks from tapping Aries’ talents for their projects. He appeared in “Crosstown Traffic” and “Brisco County Jr.” for Fox. Aries’ fierce momentum landed him on “MAD TV” as a series regular where he has been for the past eight seasons.
Aries continues to spread his comedic wings as an in-demand headliner at comedy clubs across the country. Additionally, Aries has made appearances on many talk shows including; Loveline, Vibe, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Soultrain and Friday Night. He has also lent his voice to an animated character on C-Bear & Jamal.
Aries maintains a strong connection to his African roots and is involved in many charitable events including a number of organizations that help abused women. He feels blessed to have been able to achieve everything that he has by the very young age of 32, but he in no way intends on stopping here. Given the extreme growing success rate of action comedies coming out of Hollywood, it’s safe to say that Aries Spears will be in demand for quite some time.
APPEARING AT THE STARDOME
ON APRIL 5-7, 2012
BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE!
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Powell adopted the stage name "Lil Duval" to pay homage to his birthplace, Duval County, Florida. After graduating from high school, Powell relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he started working in the comedic circles, performing stand-up at the Atlanta staple, Uptown Comedy Corner, which led him to become a regular performer. After performing at the Oakland Bay Area Competition in 2001, Powell was approached by Cedric the Entertainer’s road manager and was invited to perform on the Budweiser tour featuring Cedric and four additional comedians. Powell was then invited by Cedric to perform on his television special Cedric the Entertainer: Starting Lineup.
In 2003, he released the underground comedy DVD Dat Boy Funny, which also featured several upcoming comedians featuring colorful sketch pieces and parodies mocking events in pop culture. The following year, Powell became a regular featured performer on three seasons of BET’s ComicView. Powell released his second DVD Put Your Hands on Me in 2005. That same year he appeared in Three 6 Mafia's independent film, Choices II: The Setup, as well as being featured on various skits of the film's soundtrack.
In addition to stand-up comedy, Powell also writes for Ozone magazine. He has also appeared in several music videos including T.I.'s "Rubberband Man", "24's", "Whatever You Like", "What Up, What's Haapnin', Big Kuntry King's "That's Right", Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down" "Coffee Shop", and Young Jeezy's "My President".In 2005 Roland Powell aka Lil Duvall was one of the finalist on BET's Coming to the Stage. Lil Duvall's performance was was smart, witty and cleaver. Today, Lil Duvall is rapidly becoming one of the most talked about comedians in the industry. Lil Duvall's hard work towards perfecting of his talent continues to make him a rising star.
What is there to know about Dominique? Well, if you're interested in high-powered comedy, there is everything to know, From clubs across the country to Comedy Central's hit "CHAPELLE's SHOW" she's showing America what a comedienne is.
She began honing her skills unprofessionally as a civil servant on the nightshift as a postal worker at the now infamous Brentwood Postal facility in her native Washington D.C. "I knew something like that was gonna happen. I used to see all kinds of stuff that terrorist could use come through that post office. But that was back in the good ole' Timothy McVeigh days", she quips about the nation's anthrax scare. Boredom with the job and fear of going postal gave way to open mic nights at local clubs at the behest of friends and co-workers. She immediately gained a reputation for telling it like it is; raw and uncut and unknowingly garnered a loyal following. Washington's uppity audiences gravitated toward her mixture of politics, street culture and current events. Her strong presence and a bravado rarely seen in female comics quickly gained the attention of the producers of HBO's "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam", the show that changed comedy forever. She went from shuffling mail to working with the likes of Chris Rock in no time. "I didn't do anything special. I just talked about what I knew and the next thing you know I'm on T. V. I quit that job and took about 20 books of stamps. I figured they owed me." She never looked back.
Sensing that she had outgrown DC's small comedy scene, she moved to the Bronx, which wasn't a far cry from the Southeast, and became a fixture at the clubs in New York City. Places like the "Comic Strip" and "Stand Up New York" served as testing grounds for her new material. On a chance Wednesday night at a small club on the lower eastside she met Saturday Night Live's Tracy Morgan who made Dominique his opening act for his run at Caroline's on Broadway Comedy Club. The two formed a friendship and have been working together ever since. Being Tracy's feature however wasn't enough to keep the bills paid so Dominique became what she calls a 'hustler', performing all over the country to make ends meet. From Caroline's in New York to The Improv in Miami to LA's Laugh Factory, and every club in between, Dominique has wowed audiences with her straight forward wit and comedic standpoint reminiscent of Mom's Mabley.
A run on the highly successful Def Comedy Jam Tour and numerous television appearances including the fresh new "Comic Groove" on Comedy Central, the legendary "Showtime at the Apollo" and the controversial "Comic View" on Black Entertainment Television prompted a move to Los Angeles. Upon arrival, Dominique began making the rounds in Hollywood's comedy clubs as well as the smaller lesser known clubs in LA. "I like telling jokes in mainstream clubs as well as underground spots cause it keeps me fresh no matter where I am". And fresh she is. She has become a club staple and continues to tour clubs and colleges around the country. Since 1998, Dominique has been a headliner on the RJE Comedy Cabaret Tour www.comediandepot.com, the largest and highest grossing college/university based comedy tour. She has participated in Urban Internationals Comedy Arts Festival better know as Jamie Foxx's "Laffapalooza" as well as the Don "DC" Curry's "Bay Area Comedy Competition" in Oakland. After two years of study, she added acting to her resume when she landed a part in the critically acclaimed indie "Thirty Years to Life".
These are the things to know about Dominique, she's a class act from stage to film, she's a woman with a strong point of view and a strong way of telling it and she's ready for whatever those in the know throw her way.
Thom Kaz, a Las Vegas based professional speaker, trainer and entertainer specializing in Subconscious Sales Training, Motivation Programs, and Entertainment. He has over twenty years experience in the field of sales and marketing, and has performed his unique brand of hypnotic entertainment and sales training for major corporations throughout the United States. In 2004, Thom completed a successful one-year engagement in Las Vegas performing his “Rock n’ Roll Hypnosis Show” on the famous Las Vegas Strip. The show was named a “Top Ten Best Value” by the Las Vegas Advisor, and “One of the Best” by USA Today. A combination of dynamic energy integrated with a solid stage presence and an entertaining show allows Thom to reach a diverse audience with the message that you can accomplish whatever you wish as long as you believe that you can.
