Funny Guy

Comedian, Steven Marcinowski, talks about what's funny

For Steven Marcinowski,  comedy is a funny thing. It has an energy and flow all its own, and getting a dark room full of strangers to laugh is an art form that takes time to perfect.

When he was first breaking into life on stage, he acted in a college performance of the Greek tragedy Medea but soon decided that comedy was more his style – improvisational comedy to be exact. His favorite TV show growing up was Whose Line Is It Anyway? so he loves to model his improv shows around town with the same sense of spontaneity and hilarity. Guaranteed, he’ll draw the laughter out of you … just don’t expect any knock knock jokes.                                  

W: How did you get started, and what sorts of things have you been doing?

SM: I saw a sign for a class and wanted to meet funny people so I took that. I met some more guys who were really serious and ready to start performing somewhere. We did our first show at the Nutt Street Comedy Room and eventually became the in-house troupe there, and that went on for three years. We were Encore’s Best Comedy Troupe two years in a row. That was big for us.  I was also on the road recently with my first tour. Port City Comedy Tour sponsored us. It was interesting – four guys in a Kia Sephia for two weeks. On Monday nights, we host improv at Juggling Gypsy, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights we’re at Reel Café.

W: Why comedy?

SM: I think the adrenaline rush. When you have a big laugh and you’re on stage, there’s nothing else like it. I used to have (stage fright) but not anymore. I still get anxious, but I’ve trained myself instead of getting nervous to channel that focus into being even more energetic on stage.  Getting on stage and venting about your day, it’s a form of therapy and super cheap.

W: Have you ever had one of those bad moments, crickets chirping in the silence?

SM: Oh yeah. Those moments are always there. Sometimes it’s not always as funny as you think it is in your own mind so it doesn’t always go over well.

W: What is funny subject matter?

SM: Most of my material comes from my family (three brothers and two sisters) and my own upbringing. I find most inspiration from personal things that happen in life; you just have to find that funny way to tell about that thing happened to you.

W: Any comic inspirations you’d like to meet?

SM: Bill Burr and Louis CK are the top guys right now. I don’t even know if I’d be able to handle it, I’d be like a fanboy. I had such a great opportunity with Nutt Street, meeting a lot of people already. I got to work with people that at my level I shouldn’t even be in the same room with. 

W: What are your goals for the future?

SM: My ultimate dream would be to host a late-night show, maybe like the new Daily Show. I’d do a variety of video sketches, live sketches, interviews, and stand-up. It’s kind of an out-there goal, but you have to have something super to reach for.

Click here to see more photography by Amy Conry Davis.