Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Batch and Demitria Gavit.
Hi Jon and Demitria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Jon: I have had a lifetime love affair with comedy and have been actively involved with the local scene for three years. I first hit the scene as an open mic-er and quickly took off as a reliable road dog. I noticed that despite the amazing talent residing in the local area, paying gigs often meant having to travel far distances, and I wanted to do something to address this gap. Something that allowed independent comics to be paid for their work and gave venues and patrons a chance to see affordable quality entertainment. From that seedling of an idea, Demented Peach Productions was born.
Demitria: I have spent the last decade working in operations, marketing, and event planning for various non-profits. Growing up on SNL watch parties and Austin Powers humor, comedy has always been a part of my life. When I’m not spending time at the horse barn or with my German Shepherd, I’m dealing with my engagement to Jon. The engagement, by default, also makes me a part of the Demented Peach Productions Team.
We began our journey together on July 14th, 2019 with a simple coffee date. Jon learned about Demitria’s love for all things outdoors, while she learned about his love for comedy. She shared her dream of opening up a small hobby farm and naming it after her favorite Girl Scout camp unit, “Peaches Landing.” He shared his dream of being a headlining comedian, and opening for someone like Doug Stanhope.
Conversations of a production company were frequent between us, but the pandemic highlighted the opportunity to open up shop. While in pursuit of his personal stand up career, Jon’s style of comedy was branded as “Delightfully Demented” given his ability to deliver offensive, cringe-worthy lines, that still make you laugh. As talk about the production company morphed into planning stages, a name had to be given. As an ode to our dreams, the name Demented Peach was born.
Demented Peach Productions was officially launched in March of 2021, with our two business partners Carl Sobel and David Steves, and our first show was produced in May of 2021, Since that time, we’ve produced and sold out a four show summer park series (with no built in audience and BYOB) and started two successful venue partnerships, with an average of 65 tickets sold per show. We’ve booked, promoted, and paid 35 local and regional comedians and have grown our social media organically. The business has stayed in the black since our first show, and we’ve proudly offered a 20% military & veteran discount on ALL of our shows.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Launching any new business comes with challenges, but starting a live events company during a global pandemic presented it’s own unique demands. We had to find a way to host shows safely, while still ensuring that patrons were able to relax and enjoy themselves, not to mention ensuring that we stayed ahead of continually updated government safety regulations.
Additionally, even in “normal” times live comedy can be seen as a risk for some venues. Comedy, by it’s nature, can sometimes attract unscrupulous characters and fly-by-night producers, with no guarantees of quality or success. We had to prove we were reliable, credible, and wouldn’t send their patrons running for the hills. Our summer park series allowed us to create a proof of concept so we could approach venues to partner with us.
Ultimately, by ensuring our focus remains on quality over quantity we have been able to invest in long-term relationships with venue owners, comedians, and our ever-growing base of supporting patrons.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Demented Peach Productions is a Michigan-based comedy production company with a mission to promote local and regional comedians to a wider audience. Our goal is the same as it has been since day one: to deliver paying opportunities for independent talent and affordable entertainment for patrons and hosting venues.
We began with three statements of belief: that comics should be properly compensated for their time and dedication without signing to a name brand agency; that venues can provide quality entertainment for their patrons without draining their finances to do so; and that patrons want to laugh in a safe environment that doesn’t leave them regretting the time and money spent.
To us, live, locally-focused comedy is the future. We believe that, together, we are capable of building a comedy community that elevates artists, embraces small businesses and their patrons, and ultimately brings us the one thing we need most: laughter.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Jon: I grew up around comedy, and one of my earliest childhood memories is wearing out the CD copy (yes, I’m old) of Jerry Seinfeld’s “I’m Telling You for the Last Time.” There was something in the way he spoke, in the way he commanded his audience, that made me realize I was destined to work in the industry in one way or another.
Demitria: Am I allowed to say anytime I was on the back of a horse? Truthfully. My days growing up were spent trail riding, at horse shows, or on the computer. My favorite memories are 4-5 hour long rides with my horse, around the farm country I grew up in.
Pricing:
- For pricing quotes, please contact us at connect@dementedpeach.com or visit us at dementedpeach.com/venues
Contact Info:
- Email: connect@dementedpeach.com
- Website: dementedpeach.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dementedpeachproductions
- Facebook: facebook.com/dementedpeach
Image Credits
Devarron Thomas
