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2019 St. Louis Comedy Profile: Jeremy Hellwig

We’re currently profiling the comics in the St. Louis scene. We’ll be covering a range of comics from seasoned pros, to open mic comics booking their first shows. Our goal is to give you a glimpse at who you can expect to see, no matter where you experience live comedy.

NAME

Jeremy Hellwig

SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Website: https//www.jeremyhellwig.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hellwigjeremy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JeremyHellwig

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING STAND UP?

7.5 Years

DESCRIBE YOUR MATERIAL/STYLE OF PERFORMING TO SOMEONE WHO HASN’T SEEN YOU

I like to over analyze things. I have some one liners but mostly it is extended bits about some stupid thing I’ve thought about way too much.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING THING, PERSONALLY, THIS YEAR, ABOUT STAND UP?

Just recently went on a trip to Memphis and Nashville. Performing in front of out of town audiences is always a great change of pace, and I also was able to make a lot of progress on new jokes. Made me excited to travel more and really put in the work to get my set more polished.

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU ARE WORKING TO OVERCOME, IN STAND UP COMEDY?

When I originally filled out this form, I said the biggest challenge was finding enough stage time to finish working on new bits. For the longest time, I would start working on an idea, then not be able to perform it frequently enough, and it would stop working or not progress enough to stay in my act. This was made even worse because I often had to spend an entire week writing and rehearsing for Fatal Bus Accident.

Well, soon after I submitted my answers, new open mics popped up on Tuesday and Thursday. Now there are viable options to get onstage any day during the week. I’m finally feeling like I have a rhythm with my writing process. Also, going on short tours every couple months has been great, and given me more long sets to work towards.

I guess the biggest challenge for me right now is figuring out how to get in at clubs out of town. I know how to find other comics and get on their independent shows, but most clubs are still a mystery. If I want to record an album next fall, I’m going to have to find more opportunities to do 30+ minute sets. I recently got to do six long sets over 3 days at Helium, and I felt like I made a month’s worth of progress over that short amount of time. I need to create more opportunities like that for myself.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST COMEDY GOAL FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

Next fall I’m recording a comedy album. Between now and then, I want to take all my bits apart and put them back together again. Really get my existing material to be the best it can be. And write probably 20 new minutes.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU STARTED PERFORMING?

You have to ask for stuff. People that run cool shows and book clubs forget about everyone that isn’t asking them for spots.

IF YOU WERE A BEVERAGE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

I have no idea but I’m drinking a Manhattan right now so let’s say that.

PICK ANY HORROR MOVIE. HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE?

It Follows. Move to another continent for a few months. See how long the monster takes to go halfway around the world. Then move to a new country every how often I would have to to stay ahead of it.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO PROMOTE?

December 6 at The Aquadome in Kirksville, MO
December 7 at The Bookhouse in Fairfield, IA

Sorry, Please Continue is a live storytelling podcast. People tell stories about a theme while 2 other comedians and I interrupt with jokes and questions.

En joying these profiles of the local comedy scene? Follow us on social media for updates about new shows and information on the St. Louis Comedy Scene!

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2019 St. Louis Comedy Profile: Kenny Kinds

We’re currently profiling the comics in the St. Louis scene. We’ll be covering a range of comics from seasoned pros, to open mic comics booking their first shows. Our goal is to give you a glimpse at who you can expect to see, no matter where you experience live comedy.

NAME

Kenny Kinds

SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION


Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/steelyken

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING STAND UP?

8 years

DESCRIBE YOUR MATERIAL/STYLE OF PERFORMING TO SOMEONE WHO HASN’T SEEN YOU

At this point I’m more conversational. I would like to think that I’m comfortable enough to explore ideas while I’m up there flailing.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING THING, PERSONALLY, THIS YEAR, ABOUT STAND UP?

The Flyover comedy festival

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU ARE WORKING TO OVERCOME, IN STAND UP COMEDY?

Finding subjects that interest me, and consistently writing.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST COMEDY GOAL FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

Literally, to not die.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU STARTED PERFORMING?

That I should have started 10 years earlier.

IF YOU WERE A BEVERAGE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

COLD BREW! Everybody should be drinking cold brew. I’d be cold brew, because, I’m bold, smooth and over priced.

PICK ANY HORROR MOVIE. HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE?

American Factory. We won’t survive.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO PROMOTE?

November headlining a show Nov 9th at Flyover.

Check out Sorry, Please Continue!

Enjoying these profiles of the local comedy scene? Get out and see a show this week. Then purchase your ticket to Flyover Comedy Festival, coming to The Grove in November. Over 100 local and touring comics will be bringing the laughs alongside headliners like Kyle Kinane & Sasheer Zamata. Wristbands are on sale now!

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2019 St. Louis Comedy Profile: Brandon Judd

We’re currently profiling the comics in the St. Louis scene. We’ll be covering a range of comics from seasoned pros, to open mic comics booking their first shows. Our goal is to give you a glimpse at who you can expect to see, no matter where you experience live comedy.

NAME

Brandon Judd

SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Website: http://www.juddgment.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/juddgment
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/juddgment

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING STAND UP?

7 years

DESCRIBE YOUR MATERIAL/STYLE OF PERFORMING TO SOMEONE WHO HASN’T SEEN YOU

Autobiographical absurdity. The thoughts and situations are real, the jokes usually aren’t. I started out as a one line guy, heavy on wordplay and puns. Don’t think there’s no room for puns anymore.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING THING, PERSONALLY, THIS YEAR, ABOUT STAND UP?

Back in May, I got to open for Brian Posehn at Helium. That was a dream come true. Back in college, I listened to him and Patton Oswalt and Paul F. Tompkins on repeat. Amazing to meet someone I admired so much and who had a huge influence on me wanting to perform.

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU ARE WORKING TO OVERCOME, IN STAND UP COMEDY?

Ahhh, great question. I took a 5 month break from standup this year. I think after spending so much time in it, I got burnt out. Finding love for it again is the biggest challenge for sure. I have a lot of fun writing, performing, and making people laugh, but there can be some dark times. Hours of driving to road gigs with no audience or an audience that hates you, missing out on some opportunities you thought for sure you’d get. It’s tough sometimes. I’m coming back from the break fresh and ready to keep moving forward.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST COMEDY GOAL FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

In my break from standup, I started work on a completely improvised show. The premise is that with the help of what the audience brought to the show and what their occupations and skills are, we’re going to rob a bank. So trying that out with a live audience is definitely a 2020 goal. Also want to get some really metal album artwork done so I can put out some of what I’ve recorded over the years in a decent package, tentatively titled Levitating Church or Moving Tomb.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU STARTED PERFORMING?

You have to tell people what you want and ask for what you want if you want to get it. You can be a great writer and a great performer, but you’re not going to get the opportunities you want if you don’t put yourself out there.

IF YOU WERE A BEVERAGE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

Dr. Pepper because I have bold flavors.

PICK ANY HORROR MOVIE. HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE?

The Mangler – It’s about a haunted machine that kills people in a factory. I would just not go near it.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO PROMOTE?

November 12th, I’ll be at Happiest Hour at Sophie’s. https://www.facebook.com/events/485739768651578/?event_time_id=485739801984908

Just follow me on Instagram or add me on Facebook if you like to see fuzzy pictures of bands playing around St. Louis or my hot takes on Ramones album art.

Enjoying these profiles of the local comedy scene? Get out and see a show this week. Then purchase your ticket to Flyover Comedy Festival, coming to The Grove in November. Over 100 local and touring comics will be bringing the laughs alongside headliners like Kyle Kinane & Sasheer Zamata. Wristbands are on sale now!

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2019 St. Louis Comedy Profile: Tina Dybal

We’re currently profiling the comics in the St. Louis scene. We’ll be covering a range of comics from seasoned pros, to open mic comics booking their first shows. Our goal is to give you a glimpse at who you can expect to see, no matter where you experience live comedy.

NAME

Tina Dybal

SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Website: http://www.tinadybal.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tinadybal
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tinadybal

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING STAND UP?

4ish Years

DESCRIBE YOUR MATERIAL/STYLE OF PERFORMING TO SOMEONE WHO HASN’T SEEN YOU

Vulnerable, Raw & Uncut. XXX. I do what I want.

Nothing is off limits to me. I love being vulnerable on stage, because I think a lot of people do everything they can to try to fit in and not let anyone see their flaws. I’m guilty of this as well, but my style of stand up has helped me get closer to my “true self”. Whatever that means.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING THING, PERSONALLY, THIS YEAR, ABOUT STAND UP?

I got to feature for Beth Stelling this year at Helium. I hosted for her last year at the club, so it was very cool to level up and feature this year. It’s nice to have peers that you really respect as comics and humans. It was also cool to have audience members that came out to the shows last year and remembered me this time around as a feature.

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU ARE WORKING TO OVERCOME, IN STAND UP COMEDY?

Honestly, I’ve been in trauma therapy for about a year now and have been working through a lot of personal shit. It’s been tough at times and really affected my attention span and my anxiety has been through the roof. So, balancing depression, exercising, anxiety, getting enough sleep, stand-up, writing and creating has been quite difficult at times.

The easiest way I’ve found to balance it all is by having a hard schedule. People tend to think comedians just live this wild, party, everything is off the cuff lifestyle. While that may be true sometimes, you have to have somewhat of a schedule so you don’t go crazy.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST COMEDY GOAL FOR THE NEXT YEAR?

I co-host a podcast with Libbie Higgins- fellow comedian and best friend. It’s grown a lot in the last year and I just want it to take over the world. We have so much fun doing it and are hoping it just keeps growing.

Oh, the podcast is called Slop City.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU STARTED PERFORMING?

When people tell you they’re going to come to your shows, there’s a 95% chance they won’t.

IF YOU WERE A BEVERAGE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

Hot Coffee with like 10 ice cubes & some sugar free creamer. It’s the best drink in the world and I would pass away without it.

PICK ANY HORROR MOVIE. HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE?

The Invitation. I have been in a cult before, so I know the signs of one. I would have immediately left with the prude girl after the cult members posing as normal humans showed the culty video.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO PROMOTE?

November 8 – Flyover Comedy Festival: Opening for Joel Kim Booster at The Ready Room
November 9 – Flyover Comedy Festival: Slop City Podcast Live Recording! Featuring Special Guests: Jenny Zigrino & Rafe Williams at The Improv Shop
November 20 – Best of STL Showcase at Funny Bone Westport

Download and listen to Slop City Podcast, available on all platforms!

Enjoying these profiles of the local comedy scene? Get out and see a show this week. Then purchase your ticket to Flyover Comedy Festival, coming to The Grove in November. Over 100 local and touring comics will be bringing the laughs alongside headliners like Kyle Kinane & Sasheer Zamata. Wristbands are on sale now!

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St. Louis Comedy Profile: Aaron Sawyer

Aaron Sawyer is the creator of Boondoggle, a bi-monthly sketch show that’s become a favorite in the St. Louis comedy scene. A special edition of Boondoggle runs tonight at 10:30 p.m. at The Improv Shop as part of Flyover Comedy Festival. We asked Aaron a few questions about the show.

What is Boondoggle?

Boondoggle is a bi-monthly sketch comedy show that is a combination of live sketch and video shorts interspersed with a running plot line. The gimmick, so to speak, is that every show is entirely written and produced by myself and one other St. Louis comedian, and who that is changes every time.

How long has it been a thing?

Two years.

When and where is it?

This Thursday at 10:30 on the Improv Shop Side Stage. As part of the Flyover Comedy Fest!

How much writing is involved in producing this show and is it all done yet?

A lot. Almost an overwhelming amount. It’s an hour of original comedy written every six weeks, on average, by just two people. Not to mention the filming, editing, set building, and prop work that goes into every show. It consumes you. And no, the writing is never done.

So far, what has been your favorite moment / sketch in the show’s history?

This is probably a cheat, but nothing’s been more satisfying to me than seeing the slow growth of the show over the past two years. There were seven people at the first show, and I knew every one of them. But we pull over triple that now (some of the strangers!), and that growth has been almost entirely by word of mouth, and in spite of the fact that I was one of this city’s worst stand-up comedians.

Is there anything different about the version of the show you’re putting up at the festival vs. your regularly bi-monthly show?

This will be the first show where I have repeated a co-host (Ben Johnson), as well as the first that is not entirely new material. The plot we’re doing is a rewritten version of what we did when he hosted last August, which was a favorite of mine, and that is being padded with new videos and revised sketches from past shows.

You’re in a desert, walking along in the sand when all of a sudden you look down and see a tortoise crawling toward you. You reach down and you flip the tortoise over on its back.  The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over but it can’t. Not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that?

Sounds like I’m just a jerk.

When and where is the next Boondoggle after the festival?

January 30 th at the Heavy Anchor, with co-host Amy Milton!