Cingo Entertainment Announces Diverse Comedy Talent Management/Content Creation Entity Launch
BOSTON, MA, JUNE 24, 2021 -- Four Boston comedy impresarios, led by managing partner Ben Hill, who has 20 +years experience in comedy management and producing content, have joined forces to create an entertainment startup that will combine their industry knowledge and resources to develop the careers of a diverse roster of up-and-coming comedians and create content with a diverse team of writer/directors based in New England.
John Tobin (of John Tobin Presents and co-head of Laugh Boston), Norm LaViolette (head of Improv Asylum and co-head of Laugh Boston) are the lead founders of Cingo Entertainment and Ryan Cott (of John Tobin Presents) round out the partners in the venture. JoAn Blake, the first Black woman serving as a General Manager of a major comedy club in Massachusetts and arguably in America will serve as a manger in the talent development division along with Hill and Cott.
The client roster includes Ben Bosunga, Dan Boulger, Zach Brazao, Jimmy Cash, Izzy DaRosa, Kendra Dawsey, Rafi Gonzalez, Tooky Kavanagh, Will Noonan, Carolyn Riley, Chris Tabb, and Jay Whittaker.
“SALESMEN”, an independent comedy film co-written/directed by Luke Jarvis, and co-written/produced by Rob Pooley, both of TRES GATOS, is the first film executive produced by Ben Hill on behalf of Cingo Entertainment. Ryan Cott serves as a co-producer.
The film stars Orlando Baxter, Tooky Kavanagh, Will Noonan, and Corey Rodrigues as door to door salespeople in Greater Boston struggling to get by while pursuing an analog profession in a digital world. They unwittingly begin selling propaganda for a cult, whose popularity sweeps the city, leaving them as the only people who can undo the damage. Stavros Halkias, Tony V, MarHadoo Effeh, Kenny Rogerson, Von Decarlo, and Matthew Broussard are in supporting roles.
“We felt that with our combined experiences and presence in Boston and New York, Cingo Entertainment could service the needs of the tremendous comedy talent that exists here locally. There is a rich history of stand ups developing their careers here in Boston and stories that need to be told that could be exhibited on the plethora of platforms” explains Ben Hill.
In addition, an intern program is in development that will offer young people, especially of color, opportunities to learn of the employment opportunities in the business end of show business. “When John and Norm expressed their desire to make this component part of the mission of Cingo they had me hooked'' Ben Hill adds.