Meet a SICC Semi-Finalist: Andy Peters

Time to get to know another one of this year's Seattle International Comedy Competition Semi-Finalists.

Two years ago, he was just another local hopeful getting a chance to dip his toes in the Seattle International Comedy Competition--but, he proved both resilient and crowd pleasing as he rode a wave all the way into the finals of that year. He returns having proven himself as an in-demand performer in this market and having taken the Rocky Mountain Laugh Off title in 2006. His high-energy, hyper-kinetic and attentionally-deficited performance style is memorable and irresistible. He's taken the first step to making it back to the finals--he's qualified for the semi-finals by locking in 2nd place in Preliminary Week Two. He is ANDY PETERS.


SeattleComedy.net's "Interview by E-Mail"
w/Andy Peters

--background--
How old are you?
25

What is your hometown?
Monroe, MI

Did you start doing comedy there?
No.

Where are you living now?
Seattle

Did you move to Seattle specifically to do comedy?
It wasn't totally a decision based in comedy. It was a general performance decision.

Kait (then fiance - now wife) and I both met while studying acting in Michigan. We wanted to move to an interesting art community. She had an uncle who lived in Seattle for a while, and had some theatre connections here. We visited the place, and just loved it. We loved the theatre scene and the comedy scene. Being that we felt unready to move to New York or LA at the time--we felt that Seattle was the perfect place for us, so we went for it.

So, at some level, you did move to Seattle for comedy. What were you looking for, as far as finding a new home for your comedy?
I wanted to be in a non-competitive scene. A place where the comics help each other find work and develop an act.

How long have you been doing comedy?
Since 2000.

Are you a full time comic?
Yes

What did you do before you went full time with your comedy?
I made sandwiches for a while. I also hosted focus groups for a marketing research firm.

Tell us about your first stand-up performance? Where was it? When was it? How did it go?
My first stand up performance was in 2000 at Central Michigan University. (You have heard this story a million times, Pete.) I was a freshman in the theatre department at the time. I was also in a band, Stave and the Horseblankets. I lived with my bandmates. My buddy, Mark, came up to me one day and held the school newspaper open in front of me. He pointed to a notice for an audition of some kind. He said, "This is all you." The paper explained that they were holding a search for the "funniest person on campus". The winner of the search would open for Colin Quinn at the Rose Arena (campus sports arena.)

I think I mumbled "could be fun" in response.

The more I thought about it that day, the more into it I was. I started writing jokes. They were really silly topics. I wrote about my family, college life, and girls.

I was so nervous the day of the audition. I remember pacing the hallway and just staring at the three jokes I wrote. (Luckily we only had to do 3 minutes. That was all I had.)

Just 7 other people showed up to the audition. Long story shorter--they liked me, and told me
that I won.

I performed the same three minutes later that night in front of a packed sports arena. I got to meet Collin Quinn. It was a great night.

--inspirations--
What are your first memories of stand-up comedy?
My first memories were of Johnny Carson. My parents used to watch him every night. I remember one night I couldn't sleep, so I snuck downstairs and peaked around the corner, as to not get into trouble for being out of bed. I was blown away by his opening monologue. I was too young to understand the jokes, but I immediately understood the concept of making people laugh, and I could tell that this guy was a master.

Who inspired you to become the kind of comedian you are?
I had a college theatre teacher named Jill Taft Kaufman. She found out my sophomore year that I was into stand-up. She was a huge stand-up fan. She took an interest in my interest. She would talk to me after class about solo performance and different physical performance techniques. She taught me that there was more to comedy than just standing and reciting clever one liners. She has never seen me perform, but she constantly inspires me to continue with my goals.

And, are there specific comedians who inspire you now?
I have always been amazed by Louis CK. I love Patton Oswalt's most recent album. I am always entertained when I watch Dana Gould perform. I also really liked Paul F. Tompkins' last special. I have a secret crush on Maria Bamford (don't tell my wife.)

Beyond comedy, what interests you?
Music is a huge interest of mine. I find playing the drums to be the most effective way to relieve stress. I also dabble in writing. I am currently working on a short story and a one man show.

How do those interests inform your comedy?
I find that my writing voice and my comedy voice are one in the same. I am not sure yet if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but I find that I still write in the same manner that I write jokes. I have also come up with joke ideas while brainstorming ideas for other writing projects. The two worlds are always clashing.

Is stand-up comedy your ultimate career goal?
I know that my career goal is comedy related. I want to always be performing, but I am also very interested in the writing side of things.

So, everything you've wanted to happen in your career has happened. In that moment at the peak of your career, you are...?

The host of a late night comedy show. If the strike is still going on then, I will just write it myself and produce it out of my basement, but it will happen. I want to have a career that demands that I continuously challenge myself and stay fresh. A good talk show host must be always changing with the times. I never want to be stuck in a comedy rut.

--this competition--
How did your preliminary week go?
I have done a handful of these competitions now and I can say, with confidence, that this is the funnest prelim week that I have ever had. The people were great. There was not a jerk in the bunch. We got along so well and there was little competitive tension throughout the week.

What do you know now that you didn't know before the competition started?
That we were going to perform in such amazing venues.

And, knowing what you know now, would you still have entered the competition?
Yes.

What do you think will be the key to your moving on to the finals?
Keeping my confidence level up. That is what killed me the first time I did this thing, in '05. I was so intimidated by the level of talent in the field that I blew my own performances. That will not happen this time. I am more comfortable with myself as a performer.

Does this competition impact your comedy or your comedy career?
The connections that you make in this contest are priceless. I am confident that it will lead to down the road opportunities.

Who impressed you in this year's competition?
I was very impressed with Randy Liedtke. For a guy that has been performing for such a little time, he has a great stage presence. I was very impressed with the writing abilities of Brian Dowell. I also hope to have the level of stage confidence that Allyson Smith and Tony Boswell illustrated this week. They are both gifted and seasoned performers.

What's are some of your favorite moments from this year's competition so far?
Hanging out at the Paradise Bowl and Lounge after the show. We all made complete jackasses out of ourselves in front of the locals. We owned the bowling alley and the Karaoke jam.

And the worst moment?
When I found out that I had to go first on industry night. Selfish, I know, but biting the bullet always sucks, and I had to do it on the night that I was looking forward to the most.

--the final question--
Why should someone come see you perform your comedy in the semi-finals of this competition?
You will be entertained. I promise.