The Name Thing

Well, I’m all confused. I don’t know how to introduce myself or what to tell people to call me. Half the time, I don’t know to respond when people are calling me by name. And friends aren’t sure what to call me.


A stage name is important to me. I love doing stand-up comedy, but it’s unlikely to supplant the income I’ve made from sales and management over the years. In this Google age, hiring and promoting managers routinely search applicants’ names. A hit that shows me doing political or blue material could kill my prospects without my ever knowing why. It could also cause headaches in my current position.

So I’m Art. At least on stage or on the internet.

I can make things simpler, though. I can start with introducing myself by my real name and then explaining that I use a stage name. Feel free to use my real name when we’re talking, or in any non-stage context. Or keep calling me Art, if that feels right to you.

Here’s the cool part: I never thought any of this would be an issue! When I stepped out on Coffee Underground’s open mic stage in January, I never imagined comedy would be a regular part of my life again, or that I would have to figure out how to communicate with dozens of great new friends. Thanks for that, ladies and gentlemen. It’s a great problem to have.