Like that of a musician, a comedian’s life can be a tough gig.
If you don’t have the luxury of writing for a sitcom or a television talk show, you’re out on tour.
Fans of this style of humor may not look into what it takes to make a living in this manner. You’re living out of a suitcase three-fourths of the year, sleeping in hotel rooms and eating a lot of road food. It’s far from glamorous.
If you do it right, you can create a nice balance, working an equal amount of sets at corporate conventions alongside club gigs. If you live in a decent part of the country, maybe you turn your road gigs into long working weekends. You bring the wife and family along, see some nice parts of the country and do the tourist thing right alongside your day job.
David Testroet is a comedian who has figured that out. Based in Aurora, he’s now in his 25th year of stand-up. He’ll perform Saturday for Comedy Night at the Henry Strater Theatre along with Eric Henderson. He’s a fan of Durango, a train buff and part of an organization that books comedy shows in rooms round the states.
The comedy series at the Strater, now in its third year, has been a great use of the venue in the slower winter months. The theater signed on to be a stopover venue for comedians touring through the West; after a slow start, the number of comedy-loving ticket buyers have picked up, growing into a nice local following.
Testroet knew he wanted to be a comedian since Day 1. As a kid he’d entertain his family with imitations of everyone from W.C. Fields to Richard Nixon. Then, some friends who owned bars started paying him to tell jokes. After a quarter of a century, he’s honed his act while continuing to put together new material.
“I’m trying to challenge myself to write a whole new show this year,” Testroet said from the road in New Mexico. “My regular jokes are like security blankets because they work every time. But If I can write those, I can write something else just as good. That’s why I’m challenging myself. I’ve been floating for a while, so it’s time to put more horsepower in the motor.”
Part of Testroet’s challenge to himself is to have an act that bucks the comedic trend of blue humor. He plays a lot of corporate shows that require him to not rely on shock factor. Believe it or not, some comedy lovers can do without the early Eddie Murphy routine.
“The F-word carries weight and power. It’s a cheap word and if you use it as an adjective, it doesn’t carry much weight. If you use it for a power point, it makes you think a little bit more,” Testroet said. “If you can do your whole show clean and get across the same point, it’s a bigger challenge, and it pays off that way.”
Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s Best
Saturday: Comedy night at the Henry Strater Theatre with David Testroet and Eric Henderson, 8 p.m., $10 advance/$12 day of show, 699 Main Ave., 375-7160.
Sunday: Waiting on Trial will play a benefit for the Peter Carver Memorial Forest, 7:30 p.m., no cover, Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., 259-2545.
