Actor tells what it's like to play in a war zone
Comedian Don Barnhart tells what it takes to laugh soldiers in a hostile environment like a war zone.
My name is Don Barnhart and I am a professional stand-up comedian. What I mean by "professional"? Well, what I mean is that I had the chance to stay comfortable travel the world making people laugh, which should meet the follow-up question, yes, I'm very funny. I was on a low emissions television and appeared in several films. If you are a hard fan of comedy, you might recognize me as I turned over 250 days a year, but I'm not quite up there in the celebrity status of people like Jim Carrey, Robin Williams or Jerry Seinfeld, but I'm just behind them.
Since 1992, I also tried to spend several weeks a year to entertain military troops stationed abroad. I did this in peacetime and in times of war and everywhere I go people ask me What it's like to play in a dangerous environment such as Afghanistan or Iraq, so here is my story.
Firstly, I consider it an honor and a privilege be invited to come and entertain the troops. As I said, I am extremely fortunate to make a living doing what I love and I think we all have an obligation as an American citizen to support our troops in the best way we know that even if you object to the war itself.
The reason I started doing "my part" is that it is part of my work program Release and I have only 30 hours of community service when I'm done! (Just kidding, that was a joke.) Seriously, men and women in the army to defend America and all its freedoms and I am able to earn his life a great use of these freedoms. I think it is also important to support the troops any way you know how. If I knew how to bake cookies, and I would send a provision of care, but I'm much better at telling jokes if I go and entertain, shake hands and thank the men and women who serve our country. It is both physically and emotionally difficult, but there is such a tremendous sense of pride I feel when I do my part and be part of the team. But honestly, I just feel I'm the least important on the market. I kinda feel like the water boy on the team Super Bowl.
The reason I started doing a whole shows military back in mid-1992. I went through a bitter divorce after I found my wife, 'dating back'. (A joke, but not really a joke) I took off to Europe to find myself (actually to get as far away as possible from everyone I knew or who knew me and my "situation"). Anyway, while I was doing shows throughout Sweden, I found myself sitting in a cold smoke, dark and gloomy filled Café pity on me and I looked out the window and I noticed a sign for the USO. I finished my cappuccino and walked on snow-lined street and went I started to ask them if they would be interested a comedy show as I had plenty of free time and nothing to do, they gave me the info I sent and main my demo and next thing I know, I'm on a plane to war-torn Bosnia with the Gin Blossoms and 49 cheerleaders.
Each show is different and it really depends on what is reservation and great entertainment with celebrities and groups that need a lot lead-time. For them, it's a much bigger production and logistics are a nightmare because they sound equipment, personnel, costumes, gear and who knows what else. For a celebrity, the tour never manifested, as she wanted a four star hotel and limousine his concert of Afghanistan. She does not understand. We're here on a military base in the middle of a war and not on the French Riviera beach. Anyway, she returned home to rehab the next month if she has never given a tour.
For groups like Comics service, which specialize in a few comedy shows, it is much easier and we can be ready to go at the drop of a hat, but on the few a monthly average lead time is best. With comedy, it's much easier to change sites, and add entertainment to adapt to conditions evolving field. When you're just actors, we are trying to add shows whenever we can in a tour and we try to go out troops who really need it most. We've added some shows in the lines in neutral sound on the cockpit, flat beds, in front of a field of landmines. Everything is practically non-glamorous.
From the stage for the troops is different than playing in a comedy club regular in the States and once you've done some tours, you're stuck with the soldiers and it is very certain sense of camaraderie and understanding. Underlying shows an awareness that every second, we might have to scramble and be caught in a shootout. We may need to shelter or fire back. So even if I'm in the middle of a joke, my senses are on alert. Once when I was in the middle of the show I heard a huge explosion just outside and I dropped to the ground to cover and the crowd roared with laughter, as he was a "good" normal "to them. I just about wet my pants but I now part of the team. I'm here to laugh if something I say or what I did, I am here to entertain. I did not flinch as much but I am always fully aware of all the external sounds and surroundings when I am performing there.
The reason we come is to entertain and show our support and let them know how much we care about them, the work they do ... how much we respect them and I think they have some respect for us coming there. We are all in the same boat as you eats the same food and have to deal with the same amenities. If there is no hot water, then there is no hot water everybody and sometimes it's MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) for weeks at a time.
The troops are so accommodating with us and leave them how to make us feel at home. We were doing shows in the Persian Gulf and get choppered ship to ship and a really bad storm arrived and they would cancel a show because if we flew, we overnight on the boat, but there was no room for we set up and the guys on the boat who offered to give us there beds and they sleep on the floor just so they would not ship Getting miss entertainment.
The real difference between a publicly known "regular" and working for the troops is that by far, the troops are the best audiences ever. There is really no comparison. These men and women put their lives on the line every day and they do not have time to laugh if it is not funny. They are honest in their likes and dislikes and makes you a sharper comic. In the States, people can go on a dinner date and a few drinks and if you do not like the show, you can always quit and go do something else. When you receive the troops, the show may be the only thing they get new for months at a time so you must bring your "game" A "and be above it. Therefore so important to make the best comics headlining and not a lot of fans here. To give the troops an inferior product really makes my blood boil. There are several organizations that are booking comedy shows, to pocket the money while sending shows really unprofessional and amateur here. That's why I started my own shows and booking tours. The cartoons that use are headlining all the comics you see the top comedy clubs in the nation and on television. You will not see an open mic night. You must also be an act headlining do well here as you may have to change your act based on logic and sensibilities of what is happening that day ... or you may have to follow an act Kid Rock Celebrity or Tim Allen. After so many tours, I also created and host a new TV show called, The Freedom of Speech Comedy Series, with all the comics that have much more to do military spectacles. It is ironic when you say that freedom of speech while automatically think a play dirty. Freedom of speech also means freedom of thought and the concept of the show is that we let Comics cowardly to do what they want. Some might be a little dirty, some policies, but the objective is that it should be funny. The site of the show is www.thechucklehut.com
At first I really did not understand the direct and positive impact do shows for the troops has had on their morale. This is the greatest feeling after a show when everyone is Coming to Us thank to receive them. We are here for our entertainment show our gratitude to them! At the end of a show, the colonel made all the comics on stage to present us with a certificate of appreciation and their own coin and all men and women stood up and bowed in thanks. She literally put all four comics to tears. We could not believe how grateful these young men and women have been for us to come more while we were there to show our thank you to them. That is why I continue to do those tricks again and again.
The performances humor is a topic of conversation, he breaks the routine and monotony and laughter really is the best medicine. Remember, some of these men and women over here have not been home long and we are the things closest to home is that we can not leave. I really feel that these men and women are my family and my job is to make people laugh and forget their troubles, pain and suffering for some time. I saw the most severe looking soldier laughed so hard he had tears streaming down her checks and after the show, everyone said that Guy never smile again. He came after the show and gave me a big hug that nearly broke my rib cage, but it was great to see him laugh.
Let's face it. This is not always easy being away from your family and friends in a war zone. We all know the dangers and opportunities. It's sort of an unspoken truth, but it also creates and the underlying tension and some people have difficulty coping. In recent tour, we had a chaplain Travel with us and he sat in the front row each show. It was a bit confusing at first but then he explained that if the soldiers could see him laugh even some questionable material that perhaps it was accessible to their needs and problems and it was just a regular guy. It was great because we have included him in the show and showed, a tease little, but everybody know him by face. Indeed, several days after my return, I received a letter from him telling us what a difference it was product and this has really opened a dialogue of communication for him and some soldiers. We are all part of the same team.
You could think it is difficult to get the laughter of soldiers are facing war, destruction and horrific conditions but it is not. As you're funny! Comedy has always been a pressure relief valve and allows the tension before you snap. The more uncomfortable the situation, the tension and greater the more you need to release the tension before something breaks. We've all been in those pressure situations very high. Even as a child when your parents told you to go to bed and keep quiet or you'll be in trouble and you can not contain your own laughter. Either your wedding day When you are about to take your vows, then start crackin 'up. My wife and I both started to laugh, but it also brought us closer. As for entertaining the troops, there is no room for mediocre comics at this point. It is a tense situation and I saw the DB really bad the cowardly crowd. Therefore you must be so picky when putting a show together. We growl like the troops so you can have no prima donna entertainers run crying because they could not get their eight hours of sleep and brunch mid-day.
To be funny in an environment that represents the ravages of destruction can be a little intimidating at first. I intend to bring depends first time I came. More seriously, at first it's really clicking and disturbing, but the soldiers will even out of their way to make you feel at home and after a short time, it is time to 'Step Up'. If they can not be here and live in these conditions difficult, then I. Although it can not, It is not for everyone. It takes a strong man to be here as both a soldier and an actor. There are many pressure but that is why it is so important to be the best at what you do. It's pretty nerve racking to hear explosions Going Off when you try to deliver your Punchline or have sirens whaling and planes taking off, but you kind of get used to. It is safe to go back States and the hearings officer for a big lot easier. The last audition I had, they commented that I looked so relaxed and contrary all other actors. I told them that I returned from Afghanistan where the mortars were leaving and there was a missile attack in the middle of my show ... rather, they were not shot at me because of my act. (laughter)
For most, there is really no way to search idiosyncrasy associated with the conduct shows in "the field". It's sort of a trial by fire and it is difficult to explain a new comic that you really just have to do to understand. You simply immerse yourself in it and figure it out. The variables are always changing and the only thing you can count on something is always changing, so you really need to be able to run with it. Sometimes there is no speed sound or light, sometimes the audience is standing in 120 degree heat with the sun in their eyes and they do not even see you, sometimes you wear your vest and flac helmet, sometimes you do a show in a tent for 6 guys who look like they have not seen a shower or a razor or fresh meat in the months ... it is just truly a unique experience that you must see it for yourself. Every visit I made there is always something memorable. Even comics toured overseas have a link with another. Oh, you were in Afghanistan or Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Dubai or Saudi? There is a certain respect we give each other to make these trips as well. At the end of the day, we're just a bunch of goofball who could win their living by telling jokes but there is a respect among those of us who choose to do these shows.
It is important to modify the fly and adjust your instrument to suit your environment. Members are not allowed to discuss certain topics, and it is important how far you can take a joke. We've done shows around the world and every place is different. The irony here is that America is based on freedom, but freedom is a huge amount of responsibility. You can talk all you want, but if you cross the line you will certainly lose the crowd, you better know what you do. With this in mind, we have to take into account the fact that we are guests in many countries are very different than we are accustomed and It is important to remember that as a guest, we must respect the differences and cultural traditions of our host country.
It is also very important to be aware that conflicts are underway in the soldier's life as well. Almost every subject is open, but with something tragic, a certain amount of time must pass to be able to "find the funny "in something. If something has happened, it is probably unwise to try and joke about this until that some time has passed. It might be thought too. We often receive local dignitaries come to concerts to see what comedy really is. I think it great because so many people are not allowed to speak out and criticize their own government in America where you can talk about our political leaders and make fun of them. However, if this is not funny, Oh la la! The crowd turning on you. My rule is, as a guest, you will not at someone and start breaking dishes and kicked and their pets is the same with comedy. Know your crowd and be respectful while still pushing the limits.
Most of my subjects are my daily and I bring a lot of my military tour experiences in the show, as there is a common bond. You should also read the crowd. Are they young or old, are they dignitaries UPS or higher and you have to call your show as it happens. I am constantly editing my head. made this joke work? If so, I will go to this bit or if it does not I'll turn up. This is an amateur will get into trouble as he / she has only a small amount of equipment and they will do so if the crowd likes it or not. This is why it is so important to get rid of these small agencies that send what I call Comedy rejects here. They get a contract and then pay some lame ass comic who can not find work in the States a little money and the agent pockets the rest. It was comical and profiteers really makes me blood boil.
My material comes out of my life, so it is not unusual for my field experience to become part of my regular show. The home crowd really want to know what is happening outside of what they see new. People come after each show and want to know everything about my tour. They ask how the troops are and what she likes there? They are really concerned and interested in how our soldiers are doing. I kinda feel like intermediate exchange pleasantries before back.
The logistics of actually placing abroad varies from simple to complex.
For most circuits, we fly the main leg of the trip is business and the "soldier up time '. In a Travel, our commercial flight had problems and we were diverted to Russia, but we could not leave the airport for nearly twenty-four hours until another plane was ready. We all felt like Tom Hanks in that movie where he was stranded at the airport. Once we are "in the country, we are rather regarded in the army and learn to ride like men, but if there is an emergency, then all Personnel and equipment were diverted and we sit on the sidelines until everything is secure. We receive a security briefing, which is much more than a handshake and a bottle of water. They want us to be prepared as they are in an emergency and depending place of the amount of information varies. Simply put, we are trained and ready for battle when needed. I never really felt more safe when I'm with the troops. We did so many strange places. We made a spectacle in front of a field of landmines, the palace of Saddam Hussein and the Coliseum in Greece, on a flat in the mud and rain. The great thing about comedy shows is that we can go almost anywhere unlike to tape or another type of group that the instruments necessary gear sounds, lights and more than a few people to remove it. I was on a circuit which was in solitary confinement so that the band could not play with all their lights and sounds when we had a show of wealth in dark telling jokes to troops. With comedy, we can adapt to almost any situation. We do not need a sound check, simply turn the microphone and let's go, and if we do not have a microphone, then we do it the old way and the project behind room.
As for the unpleasantness of war, I saw that I would never have wanted this for sure but it is not nearly as much as men and women who serve our country. This is not something I or most of the soldiers care to discuss or share. If you been there, you know and if you do not then it is probably best not to ask someone who has been there what they have seen. War is hell and details can lead to adjudication. It is difficult to return home without enough to relive the horrors. There is a common sense of this you should and should not do or talk about We're all part of the same team, so it is important to know your limits. Obviously, you do not want take a "Heraldo" going to new, draw a card and say: "Look everybody, I'm here and we sneak up on bad guys.
In this spirit, the first time I went abroad was in Bosnia during the very difficult political times. We were on alert Snipers 24 / 7. Like Hilary, but without advertising. It really showed me the side of good and evil to these towers and confirmed to me the importance of these shows are men and women who serve our country. When you're under fire mundane boredom of everyday life does not really matter, because you really live in and for the moment. That is why the troops really a kick out of comedy shows. There is not much laughter and fun in their lives during an active war so that they cherish the little they have.
Since then, I tried to do several tours each year. Some years I made seven or eight laps, and each is typically two to three weeks at a time. A recent tour was thirty days in Afghanistan. Kinda sounds like the title of a film or really bad nightmare. Because of the war the past few years, tour operators have mostly been in South-West Afghanistan, Saudi, Egypt, Israel, Abu Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, but I also throughout Europe, Japan, Iceland, Greenland, Korea, Micronesia ... In short, if American troops somewhere, I've been there. At first my wife did not always been very happy that I go to a war zone to tell jokes but she understands and supports me when I go and wants to do its part too. We more visits to come back until all year and she goes out on me. She recently starred in the thriller movie China Dolls I written and directed, and she (Linda Vu) dies and the host of the show and do a meet and greet autograph session afterwards. My website my class schedule and I always try to blog, post photos of my tour to keep up to date. www.donbarnhart.com
Both, my brother and brother-sister and my father served in the reserves was so I feel like the army is a big part of my family. When I do a meeting and home after the show, I always try to know what the soldiers want to talk about and what worries him. From time to time you meet someone who really needs a friend. Sometimes they need to talk and sometimes they just want to be entertained and reminded the house.
People always ask me to describe my act or tell them a joke. My act is a story driven by the punch lines. As before I left to go to abroad, I had to get vaccinated and they gave me a shot for anthrax. Now I can eat without worry at any Taco Bell for the next twenty years ... I grew up in Los Angeles and had enough people with the false and pretentious attitude if I moved in Las Vegas. We were poor growing up and I'm finally happy that my mother turned sixty-five years because she was using a false identity card to get the discount for seniors for years.
One of the biggest thrills was getting feedback from the soldiers. It's great to take pictures and to shake hands after the shows. And now, with Internet, Facebook and MySpace, many soldiers I meet me send photos and e-mails to stay in touch. I made so many great friends with the soldiers I still visit and through the States and it is so cool when a guy or girl comes and says that they saw me outside. This means they have taken at home and brings a smile to my face.
You do not really spend too much time thinking about security issues or threats. We receive fully informed and I think we are ready for anything our way. I try to stay focused to give the best show I can in all conditions. Remember, we'll go in a week or two, no matter how hard we as professional artists, the troops that it even tougher and we are there for them. There is a big word, if you look at the barriers, you're not focused on your goal. The soldiers make it safe for us to do our work.
Over there never really had a horrible experience or appeals closed unless being targeted and missiles have to fly all around you is scary. I some horror stories, but it's not something I chose to concentrate. I try to find the funny in it if I can, it is Part of being a comic. There was this time though. I think my worst experience abroad while entertaining eating fruit unwashed in Turkey. We just started the tour and I could not bear more than a few minutes without having to run to the bathroom, but as they say, the show must go on. We had 3 comics on this tour and I told them to just be ready, as I would as long as I could then run stage and launch my own weapon of mass destruction. There was this foul cloud following me around. I felt like Peg pen comic strip Peanuts. Nevertheless or, after a bit of my sprints, the crowd really got into it and it becomes part of the show. They were actually schedule me how long I could remain before the sprint to the bathroom again. Let me tell you, I'm a comic quite physical with great facial expressions and body movements and it's not easy trying to be funny and squeezing your buttocks together.
Once we get on the site, we try to develop and stay as fit as possible as these tours are very challenging. We could travel 24 hours and then have to make a show right away and we want to give our best to being out of shape does not. We generally do what the troops do. If they have volleyball, then we're out there sweating it up or if it's movie night, then cooled to hang with them.
Each course is different. If it is a larger base, we could be there for several days, then branch out from there to do shows by satellite to the smaller bases or simply pop place to another. Everything is based off of what is really happening that day and if there is active fighting or security threat. This is so great aim of producing a comedy show that we can go to a different database and then circle back later with Set little time Unlike a band or a big show-style production.
My kind of career path itself. I grew up the son of director Television Don Lewis Barnhart, who led Mork & Mindy and Saved by the Bell. Hanging out on sets in Los Angeles, I had the desire to make comedy by hanging out and get encouragement from Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters. I then got a job at the prestigious Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, CA where I am now the host house, talent coordinator and kindergarten at the age of 20 and got to work with and to open for Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Robin Williams, David Spade, Jim Carrey, George Lopez, Harry Anderson and many other superstars of comedy High-level working today.
Ironically, comedy was not my first choice. When I was 18, I lived in Hermosa Beach, CA surf much do nothing more with my life and I went to join the service and the recruiting office was closed. proved that was Memorial Day and I pulled a Jeff Spicolli. Anyway, on the way back, I saw an offer to sign a comedy club and went in and was hired as a porter. I only worked one night a week so I would go and help, bussing tables, video Registration of Deeds and being there all the time that I can attend the biggest and then one night the emcee got sick and went on late, when I started doing comedy full time, I promised myself that if I ever made a living by raising I would do something to support our troops. If it were not for comedy, I would wash the deck on an aircraft carrier or something.
With the encouragement of other comics, I left the security of the club to pursue his own dream and I have not looked back and I mean about 250 days a year performing on the road. I was nominated Best Actor in Las Vegas and I am the creator and host of Freedom Speech Comedy Show. I am the writer, director and star of the independent film, China Dolls, and has just completed writing and will star in the comedy film coming Freeloader. In 2007, I was the Grand Prize winner of the short-lived American Idol Comedy Contest and I had the chance to appear on all the major comedy shows from NBC to Comedy Central and MTV and I am regularly on The Bob & Tom Show, XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.
My wife and I have trained Don Barnhart Entertainment specializes in the independent television / film productions and we have one of the rental booking of choice for comedy performances for the military, colleges and corporate events and I am a consultant with the top comedy clubs across the country.
If you want more information about myself or to book a comedy show, please visit our website for more information.
href = "http://www.chinadollsmovie.com"> www.chinadollsmovie.com
www.thechucklehut.com
About the Author
Award winning comedian, actor, writer and filmmaker
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