His first attempt at stand-up comedy wasn’t the best.
“I bombed the first time. It was fun, so I tried it again,” said Skyler Q. Andrews, an Evans resident who has been doing stand-up since the fall of 2018 and will be featured with several comedians at the Elk’s Club Valentine’s Comedy Show at 7 p.m., Feb. 13 at the Augusta Elks Lodge No. 205, 205 Elkdom Court.
Andrews, who studied theater and English at the University of South Carolina Aiken blends those two plus his life experiences when he’s on stage. Some comedians improvise their routines based on interaction with the audience, but Andrews likes to have his show mostly scripted.
“I look at it as a one-man show,” he said.
Andrews suffers from anxiety issues, and he uses that in his routine.
“My stage persona is not anxious at all. He’s very confident. I turn it into the audience’s anxiety. I turn it on them,” he said. “My persona has been there, done that and gotten it all together.”
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Having anxiety issues and being on stage by himself would seem to be a contradiction. Speaking in front of people causes anxiety for many, but Andrews looks at it in a different light. He sees it as a sort of therapy by exposing his own issues and making people laugh at the same time.
The event headliner is Rollin’ Jay Moore, a comedian from Charleston, S.C., who performs on Princess Cruise Lines. Seating is limited at the event, but there’s the possibility of a second show if tickets sell out.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For tickets call (706) 829-3980.
Andrews said this event isn’t the only comedy event happening around town.
“We have a burgeoning comedy community,” said Andrews. “We’re still working to let people know we’re here.”
As with all performances, the pandemic put a quash on events for about a year, but comedy shows are coming back, he said.
The Fox’s Lair has regular comedy nights; Joe’s Underground does a regular open mic night, and the Soul Bar has started comedy events as well, according to Andrews.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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