Calling Up Pride & Getting No Answer

Tags: Saskatoon, Saskatoon comedians, stand-up comedy, stand-up diaries, standup diaries, The Stand-Up Diaries, trevor dean, Trevor Dean comedian, trevor dean saskatoon

I had a fellow comic from the city ask me a question a few days ago that I didn’t necessarily feel comfortable answering.  But I gave an answer that didn’t seem like it was the right one.  After a bit of time to think about it, I have a better answer.

I was asked what I was most proud of in my comedy bio.  I think the answer I gave had something to do with going to California for comedy or getting on The Laugh Shop after not performing in Saskatoon for 18 months.

The truth is, I’m not “proud” of anything in my bio, per se, because it’s the past.  It cannot be changed, altered or redone.  It’s a bit awkward to talk about, maybe a bit uncomfortable to discuss what I have done in the past.  In that moment, it just seemed like it had no relevance to anything, you know?

The truth is, anything I have ever accomplished in comedy has been done completely on my own, without the help of any local comics.  In a way, that is kind of sad because all the other comics invite each other onto their shows to headline and/or host.  Then there is me.  I do my own thing, and the things I do are different from what anyone is doing in the city.  This allows me to make connections that nobody around here has and will generate opportunities down the road for me that others won’t have access to.

Relationships are key, and maintaining them takes work and staying authentic and true to who you are.  Comedians are usually scared of what they haven’t experienced before, I should know.  I’ve experienced this myself and had others project this towards me in the past.

I have managed to gut it out for almost eight years.  I am one of the senior members of the stand-up community in Saskatoon (of the open mic bunch), but I feel that I don’t get treated with much appreciation or respect for what I’ve done or am trying to do.  It’s tough, especially when you have nobody close to you to go through the journey with you.  It sucks, to be honest.  You all know by now that family doesn’t care, and friends, well, they are supportive, but they have lives to lead.  I don’t really have anybody readily available to talk to about anything comedy related, or to act as a sounding board.  At a time in my life where I could truly appreciate having somebody around and apply the tools I’ve learned to make a relationship work, everything is coming up empty and dry.

One would think that if things really take off and I get exposure on a grander scale, that things would change in that regard.  However, this is me we are talking about here.  I can’t see that happening.  I’m the only comic in the city that is trained in stand-up comedy and comedy writing, and nobody seems eager to have my assistance.  Oh well, at least I’m not political or trying to force feed my political or moral compass on the audience.  With me, it’s pretty simple.  Comedy is a journey about getting from point A to point B, and navigating through the struggles all the while.  I try to be relatable, not offensive, clean, respectful and funny all at the same time.

Nobody ever said it would be easy.