Brian Agosta, Author at Big Attitude

Tips for Breaking into Commercial Acting in Boston

December 12, 2019 By Brian Agosta

This post is an excerpt from brianagosta.com

“Hey Brian, any advice on being a working commercial actor in Boston?”

About once a year or so, somebody asks me for advice on how they can break into commercial acting in Boston. Or they have a nephew who just graduated. Or they’ve been doing improv for years and are looking to switch it up. So what started as an email forward turned into a Google Doc, and then turned into this blog post: advice for breaking into commercial acting in Boston, 2020 style. [Read more…] about Tips for Breaking into Commercial Acting in Boston

Global Belly Laugh Day – The Top 5 Belly Laughs of All Time

January 23, 2018 By Brian Agosta

OK, first up: Global Belly Laugh Day is a suspicious holiday. Like totally one of those made-up dealies conceived by the “funny butt-stuff” lobby. Which, by the way, hasn’t returned my membership calls.
[Read more…] about Global Belly Laugh Day – The Top 5 Belly Laughs of All Time

Compelling Improv: How to Play Consistently Funny Characters – SERIES – Part 2

January 16, 2018 By Brian Agosta

I love playing characters on stage in improv: big, bold, super hilarious characters. My favorite creation is a washed-up 1980s rock star who is super excitable and thinks he’s way sexier than he has any right to be. No, I’m not talking about Lil’ Sweet from the Dr, Pepper commercials. I also created a sexy rock superstar, completely coincidentally, who happens to be part David Lee Roth and part Miss Piggy. (And I’m not jealous of Justin Guarini’s career, you are!) [Read more…] about Compelling Improv: How to Play Consistently Funny Characters – SERIES – Part 2

The Secret to Compelling Improv – SERIES – Pt. 1

December 19, 2017 By Brian Agosta

Sometimes Improv is Hard to Watch (and Do)

“I just don’t get it: It looks like a bunch of people just messing around on stage.”
– Anonymous

Wow. Harsh, but you’ve heard it before, yeah? I have. Maybe you haven’t actually stood sweating on stage, suffering through this kind of moment, desperate to prove yourself worthy in front of a skeptical audience. Maybe you’ve only been in an audience during a show that wasn’t working. But let’s put you back on stage. You’re out of it, the audience is out of it. The jokes are just NOT working and you start flailing around trying anything to get a laugh. But no matter how clever you are, how many puns you have, or how well you’re playing the “game,” it’s just falling flat.

So… how do you fix that? How can you make shows more compelling to watch, be less “in your head,” and never risk freezing up without the “right” thing to do or say?
[Read more…] about The Secret to Compelling Improv – SERIES – Pt. 1

Audition Notice – fall 2016

October 11, 2016 By Brian Agosta

Hi comedic performers, improvisers, writers,

Big Attitude is preparing its first live-to-tape show to be filmed at the Out of the Blue Too in Central Square, Cambridge.

BA is a live comedy variety show mixing improv, sketch and musical comedy. We’ll prepare a 90-minute video show by creating comedic characters, rehearsing improv games and structures, and collaborating on comedy bits and songs.

The show is a fast-paced mix of SNL and other variety shows like Laugh-In, You Can’t Do That on Television, Your Show of Shows.

Rehearsals will be split between a writer’s room atmosphere and performer’s rehearsals.

Casting: Writers and performers

Production title: Big Attitude at the Out of the Blue Too

Union / Non-Union: Non-Union

Production Type: Independent

Project length: Live show (90 minutes)

Show Location:

Out of the Blue Too,

541 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Production Company: Big Attitude

Company website: www.big-attitude.com

Director, Producer: Brian Agosta

Email: [email protected]

Compensation: potentially, depending on our audience size

KEY DATES

Auditions:

Sat, Oct 22, 2016: 1pm – 3:00pm

Mon, Oct 24, 2016: 7pm – 9:00pm

(Please note all auditions will be given a specific time within this window)

Rehearsals Schedule: Possible Mondays and/or Thursdays, 7pm to 9pm, Nov 21 through Jan 26

(with days off for holidays)

Show Schedule: Thursdays in January, 8pm to 9:30pm

How to audition

Send me your stuff.

Headshot and Resume
Best samples
A link to video of you performing on stage or in a comedy scene, a scene you wrote (5 minute clips, please give me the timing if there’s a certain spot you want me to start watching)
Which slots work best for you:
- Oct 22, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm
- Oct 24, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm

Email materials to [email protected] and if selected, I’ll send you an invitation to audition

About producer / director Brian Agosta

Brian is a comedian, singer, and marketing professional living in Medford. The city of Somerville has recognized him as a certified performing artist.

He is a former cast member of the ImprovBoston Main Stage and the ImprovBoston National Touring Company, and once had the rare opportunity to perform with acclaimed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy. He’s performed comedy and music across the country, including Chicago, Alaska, Washington DC, Key West, Miami, New York City and right here in Boston.

While at ImprovBoston (IB), he co-produced, co-hosted, and co-everything’d the comedy variety show Spice, The Variety of Life, featuring sketch, music, and dance.

He’s studied improv with IB and Improv Asylum, took special comedy workshops with iO Chicago, and practiced improvised singing with acclaimed singer Rhiannon. He’s taught both improv and a cappella, and before moving to Boston he toured for 2 years and 500+ shows with the cappella group Almost Recess, teaching and singing for kids grades K-12 about the harmony and history of vocal music.

His acting credits include commercials for Friendly’s, Meineke, Big Y, Cumberland Farms, Honey Dew, and Wayfair.

He earned his Bachelor of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Electronic Media, Arts and Communications.

Currently, he is the creative director and owner of Big Attitude, which performs a live show at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, and produces comedy videos for the web. He is also co-producer of The Sky which produces monthly stand-up comedy nights at Aeronaut Brewing Company. He also works part time as a Web Designer and Marketing Consultant.