Personal Narrative: The Comedy Get Down Tour

As an SAEM major, attending live events in sports, arts, or entertainment, your mindset becomes more in tune with the process of how the event is run. Whether it's the productions crew, ushers, coach, or main act, you become more aware of the tasks each individual has in running the show/event. As many average spectators are in attendance for the main event, we know there is much more behind it with many crucial jobs to make the event a success.
One of the live events I recently attended was the Comedy Get Down Tour, hosted at Consol Energy Center, September 18th. In return for being involved as a street team member for the comedy tour, I was offered 2 free tickets. Foremost, as we know in order to have a successful show, venues must provide practical event parking. Parking is usually never an issue at Consol Energy Center. With the lot open for public parking where Mellon Arena once stood and private lots along 5th Avenue, there's usually never an issue. However, the closer the lot is to the venue, the more it costs. On average from what I have noticed from other major events at Consol Energy Center, the average cost to park in these lots is $15-20 dollars.
Once I made it through the security check, I then took the elevators up to the will call window to pick up my tickets. Then proceeded towards the line to get my

tickets scanned where I made my first negative observation. One worker scanning the tickets, who looked overwhelmed and impatient, came off as burdening and unwelcoming. However, once my ticket was scanned, I got to the top of the second set of elevators as ushers were openly calling out to fans asking if anyone needed assistance with directions to their seats. I then made my way to the bar to order an overpriced drink, although everyone knows if you're at an event with alcohol your more than likely going to make a purchase.

While walking down to my seat with my drink, I sat down and saw my seats were right behind the sound stage. There was a total of about six workers each with a specific job from working the soundboard, gathering wires, and connecting plug-ins. Soon later, an usher approaches my guest and I offering tickets much closer to the stage. We happily accepted and made our way over to our new seats right in the center view of the stage. This was where I noticed security along each corner of the stage, four cameras along the perimeter recording on the jumbotron, and ushers escorting each comedian as they made their way to the stage.
As the show was about to start, a local radio dj from WAMO 100.1 warmed up the crowd as the main host, George Lopez, took the stage and performed his comedy act. However, the show did start about 30-45 minutes late from the scheduled time. Each comedian took to the stage with their own introduction song while the production crew operated the lights, giving off different colors and effects. Other than Lopez, the other comedians included Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, and Charlie Murphy.
In my opinion each act was just as funny as the next. Out of the five performers, I am more of a fan to Cedric The Entertainer and I feel he and Eddie Griffin had the strongest material and got the best reactions from the audience. Numerous jokes were about political beliefs and race with drugs and sex also tied in. I feel some of the jokes were uncomfortably controversial when Eddie Griffin mentioned that he "would promote white slavery if he became president." Although the rest of his material was very energetic and humorous.

My overall experience at the Comedy Get Down Tour was very positive.

Each act was funny and allowed the audience to laugh the entire show. I am a fan of stand up comedy and have been to several other comedy events. Prior to the Comedy Get Down, my favorite act was Kevin Hart last November at Heinz Hall. Kevin Hart has always been one of my favorite comedians and absolutely loved his performance during his "What Now?" tour. However, comparing the acts between Kevin Hart and the comedians of the recent tour at Consol Energy Center, I would have difficulty picking my favorite event, as each was very enjoyably funny with great overall

experiences.
In conclusion, Consol Energy Center employ's professional staff that provide great customer service in a very clean arena. The production team between those employed with the comedy tour and the facility appeared well educated and allowed the events to run very well with sound, lights, and ordered structure to the show. The observations I made from each employees task was that of professional and focused, who all for the most part appeared to enjoy what they were doing; given the usher dancing in the aisle to the music prior to the start of the show. I was much more in tune with the surroundings of the production team allowing me to see the comedy show differently with the amount of responsibility that is relied on for the event. This particular live event left a positive impression that allowed me to laugh and enjoy the evening as well as learn the involvement indeed for an event to run successfully, from giving extra attention off the stage and making my own attentive observations.