The Passing Zone
Inspiring groups to be better teams
Topic Categories:
- Corporate Entertainers and Speakers on The Power of Partnership, Innovation, Collaboration & Execution
- Finalists on America’s Got Talent
*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.
Everything you ever wanted to know about The Passing Zone…
Owen Morse and Jon Wee met in 1986 at a juggling convention and instantly knew they would make a great team. But they decided to graduate from college first. Which they both did. Rather than pursue careers in Economics and Psychology, they lit some torches, and started throwing stuff into the air. And things clicked. Two weeks after their first performance together they won the Silver Medal at the International Juggler’s Association Teams Competition. The next year they won the Gold. That recognition earned an invitation to appear at the renowned Comedy and Magic Club in Los Angeles, where on their first night they were approached by the “Tonight Show” talent scout and booked for their first national television appearance in September 1990. Johnny Carson enjoyed them so much they were asked back less than a year later. Their first feature film followed, The Addams Family Movie, where Jon and Owen doubled for Gomez (Raul Julia) and Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) in the climactic Mamushka dagger-passing scene. They also appeared in the award-winning comedy documentary, The Aristocrats.
The Passing Zone’s first London appearance was in the Royal Variety Performance at the Dominion Theatre, performing for Prince Charles and sharing the bill with Tony Bennett and Riverdance. They expanded their US national television audience by passing clubs over the heads of the Miss America Pageant contestants during the swimsuit competition, demonstrating almost inhuman concentration skills! In 2006 they were finalists on Season 1 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” where they lost one million dollars to an 11-year-old, but they won the affection of David Hasselhoff, who claimed to hate all jugglers. This year Jon and Owen are back on AGT for Season 11, trying to wow the evil Simon Cowell and finally get that million dollar prize! Be sure to follow their exciting journey.
Corporate entertainment and keynote speaking gradually became their primary market, for which they are a natural fit. Their act is clean, so it offends no one. They appeal to all ages, and all walks of life, so whether their audience is a group of mechanical contractors, software engineers, hairdressers, or billionaire business leaders, they are always a hit. Not only do they entertain, but they customize their performances by juggling a company’s product, incorporating their slogans, and inspiring groups to be better teams.
Their corporate career really took off after a national Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) event in Atlanta, which was quickly followed by other MDRTs in Chicago and Singapore. After main stage appearances at Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the National Speakers Association, YPO, ICPA, and others, the industry took notice, and they’ve been off and running ever since. Clients such as eBay, Firestone, Old Navy, Microsoft, IBM, Kodak, and IASB have brought Jon and Owen to their events to liven things up, and motivate their people. The London Business Forum recently enlisted The Passing Zone and had one of their highest-rated events ever. Their extraordinary speaking skills earned The Passing Zone the CPAE designation from the National Speakers Association and landed them in the Speaker’s Hall of Fame.
Jon and Owen have published articles on Teamwork, Work-Life Balance, and Taking Risks in countless industry periodicals including Business People, Special Events, Smart Meetings, Networking Times, Financial Executives, Successful Meetings, Home Business, and many more. They were chosen as a Best Bet for entertainment by the Wall Street Journal, and Special Events Magazine named them one of the Hottest 26 Speakers.
Jon and Owen are known as much for their comedy as their juggling skills. They were featured twice on the gala stage at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and have opened for comedians Jay Leno, George Carlin, Bob Newhart, Bob Hope, and Penn & Teller. Television appearances have included “Comic Strip Live,” “An Evening at The Improv,” “MADtv,” Penn & Teller’s “Sin City Spectacular,” “Steve Harvey’s Big Time,” and regular returns to NBC’s “Today.” And they were commentators on ESPN for their coverage of the World Juggling Federation competitions.
Recently, they were guest performers at The White House.
The Passing Zone have been awarded four Guinness World Records and 18 Gold Medals from the International Juggler’s Association. They were recently presented with that organization’s Award of Excellence, for “excellence in the art of juggling through professional performance,” which is the most prestigious award in juggling (essentially the Juggling Hall of Fame), given to only thirteen acts worldwide.
In addition to their corporate appearances, The Passing Zone can be seen performing their full evening show titled “The Passing Zone Saves the World!” in theaters and performing arts centers nationwide.
The Passing Zone now offers “The Learn-to-Juggle Experience.” This audience interactive session is often presented following their keynote performance, and allows your audience to immediately apply the I.C.E. principles. It can also be a stand-alone session, giving your attendees a 60-minute, hands-on, interactive experience. Either way, this session brings everyone together and shows that by tackling things in small, doable steps, groups and individuals can reach even the loftiest goals.
Jon and Owen are excited to get your people laughing and learning and thinking differently. Be sure to give your people this exciting, interactive, hands-on experience.
Jon Wee and Owen Morse, The Passing Zone, are one of the most accomplished comedy duos in the nation, and they’ve done it by focusing on three success principles. Those same principles can help any group achieve fantastic results, and there is no better way to bring them these key ideas than through The Passing Zone’s hilarious, energetic, and inspiring keynote.
Innovation:
You want your company or organization to innovate, to be different, to stand out from the rest. Don’t do what everyone else does. Look for ways to be creative, unique, and move the world forward with new ideas. Success demands innovation. The Passing Zone are innovators. They juggle astronauts (audience members), ride Segways while juggling inflated bags, and juggle chainsaws while dancing in tights and tutus. Their skill is unmatched, and their humor is unequaled, and you’ve never seen anything like it! These guys innovate each and every day, and they will inspire your people to do the same.
Collaboration:
Nobody accomplishes anything alone. In order to succeed, your people need to understand the importance of working with others around them. Rely on each other’s strengths. Collaboration requires trust, communication, cooperation – and practice! Jon and Owen don’t just talk about collaboration, they do it! They rely on each other at every moment, on stage, for their success, and even their safety! Watch two people whose career is based on working together. Your people will see, like never before, that nothing beats effective collaboration.
Execution:
Great ideas and plans mean nothing without execution. Your people need to carry out their vision and their plans, and they need to do it with excellence. Get it done, and do it right! Give your customer the very best you have to offer.
Many speakers talk about teamwork. Jon and Owen do it.
Their success is proven, their talent unique, and nowhere else will you see such an exciting demonstration of the amazing things that can be accomplished when people work together.
The Passing Zone is a comedy duo who not only work together – their safety is in each other’s hands! Every moment of this presentation is a clear example of collaboration between two people who have prepared, who rely on each other’s strengths, who communicate, trust, and have fun cooperating. Their entertaining and inspiring performance uses big laughs, exciting stunts, and flawless teamwork, creating an unforgettable experience for any industry.
Audience members discover:
+ The importance of recovering from setbacks
+ How working well together creates a cohesive, effective team
+ The value of trust
+ What it takes for teamwork excellence
+ How to foster relationships with partners and customers
+ How to laugh together
Throwing chainsaws, balancing on each others’ shoulders while juggling flaming torches, demonstrating teamwork by getting people from the audience to participate – are all part of Teamwork: The Power of Partnership. Imagine your CEO standing in the middle of flying sickles and blazing torches! They even juggle three people from the audience in their exciting piece – People-Juggling.
Don’t just tell your people how to be a team…show them.
This keynote is all about people. Your people. Becoming better together.
If your people could surprise themselves by learning to juggle, do you think they might have a new outlook on the challenges that lie ahead?
Yes, they would.
Would a group that had just laughed together, helped one another, and cheered each other’s success, move forward as a stronger, more dedicated team?
Yes, they would.
Would they enjoy the gift of juggling balls, reminding them always of the wonderful experience they had at the event? And would they be able to impress and entertain others with this new skill for the rest of their lives?
Yes, they would.
Would The Passing Zone bring an increased level of learning and fun to your event by leading your group in The Juggling Experience, a hands-on workshop that maximizes the impact Jon and Owen will have at your event?
Yes, they would.
The Details:
This workshop is usually presented immediately following The Passing Zone’s keynote performance. There are numerous ways that it works. Either the group will move into an adjoining space, or chairs can be quickly stacked and moved against the walls. Even if there are tables and chairs that cannot be moved, there is usually a perfectly acceptable way for people to spread out and find room up front, in the back, in the aisle, and between tables. A set of juggling balls or scarves will be handed to each attendee, usually as the session begins. Balls or scarves can be ordered directly through The Passing Zone, and the group’s logo can be printed on the balls. Jon and Owen present this experience by demonstrating and instructing from a small stage or riser. Once each step is explained, the audience juggles while The Passing Zone circulates among the group, offering one-on-one assistance, to be sure everyone is on track. Up-beat music plays to help keep everyone energized. In order for everyone to have a real chance at succeeding, 45-60 minutes should be allocated to The Juggling Experience workshop.
The Corporate Go To Guys: When it comes to comedy entertainment in a corporate situation, Jon Wee and Owen Morse are the best in the business.
Big Laughs, Wild Stunts: They kick off a meeting and set a tone that this is no ordinary event. It’s a high-octane presentation that is full of big laughs, wild stunts, and hilarious audience participation. There is no better way to wake your people up for that 8am General Session. Or to keep the energy going after your black-tie awards banquet. Or to send everyone home fired up, with smiles on their faces and renewed energy, and their minds on excellence, performance and cooperation.
You’ll Be a Hero: Imagine cheering crowds, and pats on the back from everyone. “Where did you find those guys?” “This is the best event ever!” “You really outdid yourself this time!” With The Passing Zone, you don’t have to imagine. It’s the real deal.
Customized Live Stream Keynote/Performance
This is a full length live performance, taking place in our warehouse studio theater, where we can talk directly to your people and give them the same presentation they would see if we were on stage in person. This will be customized for your audience, as they experience our performance through the safety of their personal screens. Optional Q&A available (45 up to 60 minutes).
Customized Pre-Recorded Keynote/Performance
Same as above, but rather than watching live, you will be provided a recording of the performance to show your people any time.
Short Videos for Openers, Closers, and Comic Relief
These are short, customized performances that are written, created, and recorded just for you. This is a perfect way to include fun, energy, and customized content to spice up any online communication you are having with your people, whether it be part of a virtual meeting, or a way to give your people something fun and uplifting.
Learn to Juggle Online Workshop/Interactive Exercise
Teach your people a new skill, to bring them together, have a shared experience, and give them an activity that can stimulate them both mentally and physically in their spare time, anywhere. Juggling has many proven benefits, including improved brain function, hand-eye coordination, creative thinking, and is the perfect way to take a mental health break from other concerns.
Want to bring The Passing Zone to your next event? Please tell us a little about your event, and we will get back to you shortly!