Meet Margo Stutts Toombs in Central

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margo Stutts Toombs.

Margo Stutts, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In the summer of 2001, I did a set for an open-mic night at the Laff Stop in Houston with my friend, songwriter, and singer – Jaunetta Cooper. A lot of friends came to the “event” for support. Their laughter gave me a false sense of talent.

After my stand-up comic success, I went on to perform at cheesy venues and sports bar. I was booed and hissed a few times, but I was told that this is the way to earn one’s chops. And I don’t mean pork.

Performing at the Laff Stop started me down a creative path of no return. A writer friend in the audience that night connected me with Donna E. Perkins and the Archway Art Gallery Readers.

My friend also got me involved with Fieldworks Performance Workshops. Through Fieldworks, I met Jhon R. Stronks, who became my performance collaborator and director. Together, we crafted my 60th birthday, one-woman show: Margo: 60 & Un-censored.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After my 60th birthday show, I pulled out individual pieces to perform at Fringe Festivals – in Houston and Austin. Most of my performance pieces are based on individual faux pas. For example, a travelogue of my 10-hour trip from Houston to the Woodlands during Hurricane Rita became “Margo, Rita, and the Pee Pee Dress.”

I make videos and create performance pieces that entertain me. Sometimes, audiences enjoy them, too. Sometimes, they muse, “What was that?”

Entertainment is increasingly online. But I hope that the thrill of live performance will continue to draw audiences out of their homes and into some of the wonderful and super groovy venues in Houston.

How would you describe your work?  What else should we know about your work?
I consider myself an internal humorist. If I try to make the audience laugh, and they don’t, I tell myself that they are laughing on the inside. It lessens some of the stings of failure.

Making people laugh (with self-deprecating humor) is my mission in life. Laughter heals. I have been experimenting with taking down the 4th wall onstage – talking directly with the audience. Donna E. Perkins has given me the opportunity to MC at the Archway Art Gallery Readings. I hope to do more of this in the future. Sound interesting? Shoot me an e-mail – I’m available.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When someone thanks me for making them laugh, I feel that I have done my job well.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.MargoStuttsToombs.com
• Phone: 713-824-2057
• Email: bboop7@flash.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margo.toombs
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/login?username_or_email=MargoStuttsToom&redirect_after_login=%2FMargoStuttsToom

  
Image Credit:
Steve Patlan, Donna E. Perkins, Kapil Nair, Pin Lim

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