The marketing freshman and budding comedian, who was chosen as the audience favorite at Last Spartan Standing last fall as a first-time stand-up performer , is trying to create a profession of laughter for himself.
Ryan performs stand-up comedy at UAB events and open mic nights, but his dreams for comedy branch further than that.
His sense of humor stems from his background. He was bullied in school and learned to use humor as a defense mechanism. He relies on wit in his routines and tries to make the audience think about a punchline rather than lean on what he calls “in your face” humor.
“I think all humor comes from pain,” Ryan said. “I really draw on that in my routine.”
Ryan got his start making goofy YouTube videos with his friends, but has since favored stand-up comedy.
He really came out of his shell when he joined his high school’s theater program and started singing, dancing and crippling audiences with laughter.
“It really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” said Ryan, referring to the impact the theater program had on his personality.
Ryan said his favorite form of performing is any platform where he can make people laugh.
Even as a full time student working multiple jobs, Ryan still dedicates more than five hours a week to his creative process.
Although he has had years of experience in the limelight, Ryan said he still gets stage fright.
However, he has come up with his own techniques of fighting the fear.
“If you came backstage before a performance, you would see me doing aerobics,” Ryan said. “I like to get my blood pumping before I perform.”
Ryan also recently opened for comedian Sammy Obeid, who has appeared on “Conan.”
“I think I’m a relatively funny person,” Ryan said. “Like Lady Gaga, I live for the applause.”
Ryan said it’s important to feed off the audience and steer toward the type of humor they seem to like. He is his own manager and he said he is good about marketing himself.
But comedy is more than just a business venture for Ryan. He said ever since he began putting himself out there, he has made more friends and gained confidence.
“I kind of thrive off of any laughs I receive,” Ryan said.
