Spring Break
Students face audience to win 'Last Comic Standing' competition
David Thill / Senior Reporter
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: News
Edmond Gween once said dying is easy, but comedy is difficult.
Imagine the difficulty of standing in front of an audience, all of who not only hope but expect you to make them laugh.
The lights glare down on you, beads of sweat start to form on your brow, all as you wait for the roar of laughter to affirm your efforts.
Five Eastern students are preparing for just that challenge today. Not only that, they will all compete for the right to call themselves the Last Comic Standing.
The University Board will host its second Last Comic Standing competition at 9 p.m. today in 7th Street Underground.
Matt Caponera, UB comedy coordinator and winner of the first Last Comic Standing, said he thinks students will be surprised by "just how good these five comedians are."
"We had a great turnout last year," he said. "People want to see comedy; it's in high demand."
Each of the five competitors will be allowed 10 to 15 minutes of stage time and, as Caponera said, there will be no restrictions on the comedians' material or what they can say.
Such free reign could give competitors license to say whatever they like. For Andy McLaughlin, a junior communication studies major, it could give him a competitive edge - or land him in hot water with friends.
"(My comedy) is 'life experience testimonies' - an observation of daily life," McLaughlin said, "I'm not afraid to dissect myself.
"The point is to alienate myself from the audience," he said,
"I've invited a bunch of my friends (to the competition), but they might not be my friends after the show."
For McLaughlin, this will be his second performance since being signed up for Open Mic night at 7th Street Underground by a friend a few weeks ago.
"I accidentally performed - I didn't even know I was signed up," he said.
Caponera said the competition could prove quite the stepping-stone for an up-and-coming comedian.
"It's really hard to get stage time," he said. "College is the perfect time for (getting a start)."
Along with gift certificates for the top three performers, the winner will get the chance to open for comedian Aries Spears when he comes to Eastern to perform.
McLaughlin said he looks forward to the opportunity.
"It's really exciting," he said. "It could really open you up to a larger audience."
Four judges will watch the comedians. They will be judged on audience reaction, creative material and stage presence.
Caponera said he thought comedy in general is on the rise and the diversity of students, including the large number of those coming from the Chicago area, provides a better atmosphere for comedians.
"We do get a lot of Chicago people at EIU, and there is a lot of comedy that comes out of Chicago with Second City and stuff like that," Caponera said. "It's going to be one of the most unique events you are going to see on campus. It's going to be a lot of fun."
McLaughlin said while he is "confident" about his chances, for any of the competitors, it offers students a chance to see comedians early in their potential careers.
"It's kind of like - have you ever seen pictures of your mom when she was younger?" McLaughlin said.
Perhaps that type of comedy will give him a chance to win - or any of the other four comedians.
David Thill can be reached at 581-7942 or dmthill@eiu.edu.
Imagine the difficulty of standing in front of an audience, all of who not only hope but expect you to make them laugh.
The lights glare down on you, beads of sweat start to form on your brow, all as you wait for the roar of laughter to affirm your efforts.
Five Eastern students are preparing for just that challenge today. Not only that, they will all compete for the right to call themselves the Last Comic Standing.
The University Board will host its second Last Comic Standing competition at 9 p.m. today in 7th Street Underground.
Matt Caponera, UB comedy coordinator and winner of the first Last Comic Standing, said he thinks students will be surprised by "just how good these five comedians are."
"We had a great turnout last year," he said. "People want to see comedy; it's in high demand."
Each of the five competitors will be allowed 10 to 15 minutes of stage time and, as Caponera said, there will be no restrictions on the comedians' material or what they can say.
Such free reign could give competitors license to say whatever they like. For Andy McLaughlin, a junior communication studies major, it could give him a competitive edge - or land him in hot water with friends.
"(My comedy) is 'life experience testimonies' - an observation of daily life," McLaughlin said, "I'm not afraid to dissect myself.
"The point is to alienate myself from the audience," he said,
"I've invited a bunch of my friends (to the competition), but they might not be my friends after the show."
For McLaughlin, this will be his second performance since being signed up for Open Mic night at 7th Street Underground by a friend a few weeks ago.
"I accidentally performed - I didn't even know I was signed up," he said.
Caponera said the competition could prove quite the stepping-stone for an up-and-coming comedian.
"It's really hard to get stage time," he said. "College is the perfect time for (getting a start)."
Along with gift certificates for the top three performers, the winner will get the chance to open for comedian Aries Spears when he comes to Eastern to perform.
McLaughlin said he looks forward to the opportunity.
"It's really exciting," he said. "It could really open you up to a larger audience."
Four judges will watch the comedians. They will be judged on audience reaction, creative material and stage presence.
Caponera said he thought comedy in general is on the rise and the diversity of students, including the large number of those coming from the Chicago area, provides a better atmosphere for comedians.
"We do get a lot of Chicago people at EIU, and there is a lot of comedy that comes out of Chicago with Second City and stuff like that," Caponera said. "It's going to be one of the most unique events you are going to see on campus. It's going to be a lot of fun."
McLaughlin said while he is "confident" about his chances, for any of the competitors, it offers students a chance to see comedians early in their potential careers.
"It's kind of like - have you ever seen pictures of your mom when she was younger?" McLaughlin said.
Perhaps that type of comedy will give him a chance to win - or any of the other four comedians.
David Thill can be reached at 581-7942 or dmthill@eiu.edu.
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