Freddy Stebbins is Miami’s most known working comedian. He is a professor at the University of Miami during the day, and runs one of the best comedy rooms in Miami on Thursday nights, at Taurus at the Grove. Freddy is a humble and hilarious comedian who combines characters into his act in an off-the-cuff manner that makes his on stage persona unique. Here are 5 Interview Questions with Miami’s Comic Freddy Stebbins
Interview with Freddy Stebbins
- What can you describe in a person that inspires you to play out their characters?
I tend to play characters that have a very strong personality, strong point of view, a slightly warped/self-centered or myopic view of the world (know it all types),,,and a very distinct accent/ethnicity. I like characters that appear stereotypical, yet when you meet them they are actually deeply insecure on the inside – trying too hard to be liked by others, but very loveable in some strange way. I will only do characters that have a clear flaw, but a lot to say.. People I impersonate are exaggerations of REAL people i have known living my life in Miami. I would describe these folks to be good people overall – yet extremely opinionated, unknowingly bigoted, and a tiny bit sexually repressed! lol
Freddy woos the crowd at a recent Comic Cure event - What will be expected for your upcoming show, Mr. Multiple Personality at the Miami Theater Center?
I’m very excited about my big show at the Miami Theater Center! I plan to introduce the audience to 7 of my most memorable Miami based characters…Each of them will have a completely different point of view, accent, and story to tell. I will do very minor costume changes onstage as I go into each character (no full costume changes as I have done for previous one man shows). I also will probably “accidentally” break out into one of my other 15 characters (in accent) while mingling with the audience at some point. There is nothing better than a “gringo” doing an impersonation of a “Cuban viejo” who suddenly them breaks out into a drunk scottish gay guy!!
- How would you describe the experience you’ve had being a comedian in Miami for so long?
My experience as a comedian in Miami has been amazing. When I moved back here from LA over a decade ago I was eager to tap into the material, characters, anxiety, dysfunction, angst, complexity and multi-ethnic growing pains that this amazingly electric yet bizarre metropolis had to offer. Like a fat, super ripe, orange, yet unattractive and spotted mango hanging in the tree…I could tell Miami was ready to be picked!
Freddy knows local stardom – Courtesy of The Miami New Times - Running an ongoing comedy show like John Martins in Coral Gables in the early 2000’s, how was the Miami comedy scene then in comparison to today?
When I came back to Miami there were already some amazing, home grown comics here who had pioneered the way for today’s local comics. People like Ricky Cruz, Oni Perez, Forrest Shaw, Dave Williamson, Pam Bruno, Lisa Correo, etc. However I will say that much has changed in the 10 years I have been doing standup. There were almost no open mics then. Back then the only open mics were basically in small, backrooms on weeknights in Broward. Although there were talented people around, the only place here was The Miami Improv, which was only available to us maybe once a month. It was very competitive, and to perform you had to bring 10 persons along with you (a 2 drink minimum for each). I cut my teeth at The Improv and I miss it very much. However I saw a need back then for a steady, weekly, free, and purely open mic that was available to any and all Miami comics. That is when i started running a weekly room (John Martin’s, Coral Gables 2005), and now at The Taurus in Coconut Grove (5/14-present). I’m proud to say that now there are amazing open mics/shows almost every night of the week all over Miami…
- Now, currently you are running a comedy room every Thursday at Taurus in Coconut Grove, whats the secret to running a successful comedy room for the locals?
There are a lot of variables that come into running a successful room, and it’s not easy. However I believe there are a few basics you have to have: 1) consistency/stability – make sure you have a show that is always there, always on that particular night that you say its going to be. Once a week is best, but if not then make sure its always on that night designated….ALWAYS. 2) A stable, supportive professional staff/management/bar that is willing to support the room when it slows down (which happens). 3) Variety of comedians – I try to get a different lineup of comics every week, or at least a few surprise guests. This is done by networking, social media and being supportive of everyone’s scene/gig/performance/etc. 4) Make sure you make the comics/guests/open-mic peeps and everyone feel comfortable and free. 5) Have fun (and make sure that if they don’t pay you that you at least get some free drinks..you deserve it!)
Freddy will be performing a one man show at the Miami Theater Center (9806 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33138) this Friday, September 16th at 8pm. Comic Cure will be celebrating its 1 year anniversary with Freddy Stebbins for Mr. Multiple Personality to close out their summer series.
To get our exclusive 10% discounted tickets to this event, click here.