Even though the life experiences that stand-up comedians often base their jokes on can seem lighthearted and fun, comics often face complications that give the profession a more despondent complexion.
Matthew Lumpkin is set to headline the Blue Pencil Comedy and Comedy Caravan collaborative finale, which will be held in the Bobcat Student Lounge at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
For comedians, the hurdles that they must face often start when they first hit the stage.
“My first time, to prepare I had gone to see the comedy shows a few times before going up,” said Blue Pencil Comedy member Ryan Gabos. “My biggest fear was having a bad first set, so I took a long time, like two or three weeks, preparing a set, because I wanted to make a good first impression.”
Gabos, a sophomore studying video production, said that writing material with longevity has been the biggest challenge that he has faced since starting to do stand-up during Spring Quarter.
Tom Sobel, who has played a key role in bringing professional comedians to the Blue Pencil Comedy stage this semester, said that one of the toughest things about being a professional comedian is dealing with the trying lifestyle that the comedy business requires.
“No one is ever paid to tell jokes,” Sobel said. “They’re paid to live out of their suitcases, eat road food, and be away from their friends and family just to get those few minutes to perform at night that are the reward.”
Lumpkin, who will stop in Athens in the midst of the Saints and Sinners tour, said he is subject to similar conditions whenever he hits the road.
“The hardest part comes from the little things that you can’t plan for,” Lumpkin said. “Like when clubs want to change a date that has been booked for a long time — and that you have planned your other shows around — it can be frustrating.”
But these irritants are just part of what it means to be a stand-up comedian. Those looking to be serious enough about stand-up to make a living out of it must first consider what perks would make the undertaking worth the time and effort.
“I like the places I get to go and people I get to meet,” Lumpkin said. “When my family comes with me on the road, my daughters get to see all kinds of places that I never was able to experience when I was their age.”
jd202409@ohiou.edu
