We had the good fortune of connecting with David Goolsby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk taking is inevitable part of life. You might as well use it to your advantage. Taking calculated risks has been a big part of growing my career. I produce most of my shows, which is more nerve racking than doing the show itself. It’s a lot of work, it requires a budget, and there are a lot of moving pieces to the puzzle. Most of the time they go really well but sometimes I take a loss on a show. Even though it sucks to take that loss, I never put in more than I am willing to lose and there’s always a lesson learned on how to improve the next time. On a creative and business level, comedy is about reps.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The thing I’m most proud of is the fact that I self-produce my own tours. It’s a lot of work but when things come together and result in a great night, nothing feels better. A big part of how I got to where I am is using my network and being willing to ask for the things I want. Whether it’s information, stage time, or booking venues, the least you can do is ask. Organizing a tour, let alone a show can be difficult. The thing I’ve found the most helpful is giving yourself ample time to plan, execute, and adjust. I would say the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to keep getting in reps. The more you do, the more you learn and expand your skill set.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d probably start each day off by getting breakfast at a diner. My top diners are Carolina’s Diner, Jake’s Diner, and Best Diner, so definitely one of those. After breakfast, we might walk around one of the parks in the city or at the Friendly Center. Or on a more chill day, bowl a few games at Triad Lanes. For lunch, maybe a burger spot or a Mexican restaurant like Hops or San Luis. In the evenings, we’ll probably hit downtown for dinner at Blue Denim and bar-hop. Start off at Boxcar, play some arcade games then work our way around. Over the weekend we’ll definitely be going to The Id*ot Box to catch a show and grab some drinks at Next Door.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
BIG SHOUTOUT to my home club, The Id*ot Box in Greensboro, NC! Jennie Stencil has been doing amazing things for the Triad scene from the beginning. We’re a really strong scene with a lot of hilarious comics that deserve all the shine!

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Image Credits
Jameson Stephens, Brandi Roberts, Zach Assad

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