In need of a great laugh? SFA Senior MyCal De’de’ is the guy to give you one. The Houston, Texas native and elementary education major has turned his outgoing personality and sarcastic attitude into a comedy career that he enjoys. Learn more about MyCal on this week’s edition of Campus Celebrity.
HC SFA: Other than your budding comedy career, are you involved in any activities on campus?
I am a Jack Camp student director, I’m President of Omega Delta Phi, and I am a cheerleader for SFASU’s Small Coed.
HC SFA: What made you get into comedy? Was it something you have always wanted to do or considered doing?
I honestly have no idea what made me start comedy. I’ve always been a little outspoken and sarcastic so I just figured I’d give it a try. I really liked doing it my first time on stage so I just kept at it. I’ve been doing it for about a year now and I really enjoy it.
HC SFA: What experiences do you pull from for your comedy acts? Do you change your routines based on the audience you are performing in front of?
I’ve really learned how to think on my feet and improvise. Sometimes as a comic you can plan to do a specific set of jokes but the crowd really may not be into that style of humor. I always try to do my best as a performer, I feel like if people spend 10-30 minutes of their time just to watch me I should make it worthwhile.
HC SFA: Do you have plans to do this after college, or do you do this as a hobby ?
I think this is more of a hobby for me. I like performing but I couldn’t see myself on Comedy Central or HBO, but who knows what the future holds.
HC SFA: Name your comedic influences.
Some of my comedic influences are Louis CK, Dave Chappelle and Dave Attell. My two biggest influences are George Carlin & Patrice O’Neal. I may have no agreed with everything Carlin had to say but I love how he had no problem saying it. And I think Patrice O’Neal has the exact same style of humor I have. They were both great comic’s and I would love to perform as well as them.
HC SFA: Do You get nervous before a show?
I’m usually never nervous before a show. I was once but that was because my mom surprised me and showed up and my opening joke was pretty… vulgar haha.
HC SFA: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given/heard about doing stand up and what advice would you give to someone interested into going into comedy?
I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet several professional comics in Houston and one Comic told me that comedy is all about making people view the world in the way that you see it. Getting on stage is half that battle but if you find something funny and can paint a picture in another person’s mind vividly enough so that they find it funny too, you can be truly successful. Another thing I learned, which can be used in life in general, is to be persistent. Never give up it it’s something you truly enjoy doing. I can honestly say for every decent joke I have written, I have almost 50 jokes that suck. Even after I think I have a good joke I always look for ways to make it better or make my stage presence better. Never settle and always look for ways to better yourself.
HC SFA: Do you have any upcoming shows or events?
As of now, no. But I’m always looking for new venues. I write blogs occasionally for www.NerdAtTheCoolTable.com, and I’m just focusing on school and taking things one day at a time. I am always writing though.
If you want to hear more from MyCal, follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/WhiskeyHandz