Name: Vince Troutner
Year: Junior
Hometown: Olney, Maryland
Major: Business Marketing and Film Studies
Meet Vince Troutner, the 2015 winner of Last Seahawk Standing! This junior was just awarded the title of best comedian on UNCW’s campus and won $100 for his hilarious jokes. Read on to learn more about how Vincent got involved in the comedy world and his advice to those who want to pursue comedy.
HC: How did you become interested in comedy?
VT: I’ve always liked making people laugh (or at least trying to). I tried doing stand up once in my freshmen year at the open mic nights at Hawks Nest and that did not go over so well. Then a few months ago, my good friend Alex Ayres invited me to the open mic nights at Dead Crow and I decided to give it another shot.
HC: Who are your favorite comedian(s) and why are they your favorite?
VT: I have always been a fan of Chris Rock. He’s probably my favorite. He just has this energy and honest wit that really draws you in. I also love Jay Pharaoh (seeing him perform for UNCW was a huge treat), Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Bo Burnham, and a lot of others.
HC: How did you hear about Last Seahawk Standing?
VT: Well, I knew it was a thing the school did because I heard about it my freshmen year, but I didn’t get to see it because I started here as a first-year, spring admission student. About a month ago, I saw the sign on Chancellor’s and said to Alex (my friend from before), “Hey we should do that.” And he said, “Yeah, cool.” And then we did.
HC: What was most intimidating about competing?
VT: Honestly, I didn’t even try to think about the actual competing part. I just wanted to go up and tell jokes and make some people laugh. I loved listening to everyone’s sets. Everyone who competed was just so funny and I felt so lucky to know and share a stage with them. The most intimidating part of it all isn’t really the competing or even being on stage. Being on stage is easy. It’s bringing myself to actually get on the stage that was hard.
HC: What was the best aspect about competing for Last Seahawk Standing?
VT: Being able to tell my jokes to such a large and open audience. Being on a stage and making it all feel official-like was amazing. Being able to do this for actual local comedians who I admire was amazing.
HC: What is a favorite joke that you tell?
VT: So a guy walks into a bar. As soon as he walks in he hears the most beautiful piano music he’s ever heard. So he goes over to the piano and he sees that the man playing is about a foot tall. He’s astounded. He goes up to the bartender and asks where he found a piano player like that. The bartender reaches down from under the bar and pulls out a magic lamp and says, “Rub it.” So the guy does and a genie pops out. The genie says, “Thank you for freeing me. You have one wish.” The guy says, “I want a million bucks.” The genie snaps his fingers and vanishes. A moment passes and nothing happens. And then, all of a sudden, a million ducks fly into the room. The guy is freaking out and he screams “Hey what gives? I asked for a million BUCKS, not a million DUCKS!!!” The bartender looks him in the eye with a deadpan face and says, “Yeah. I know. Did you really think I’d ask for a twelve inch pianist?”
HC: Any advice to future contestants?
VT: Just be yourself. It’s super cheesy to say, but honestly, just be yourself. People can always tell when you’re being honest and it really makes a difference.
Photos courtesy of UNCW Association for Campus Entertainment