Josh Carter

Today I am interviewing Josh Carter, a comedian born in Brooklyn, NY who has been doing comedy for over a year. To find out more about Josh, please follow him on Twitter.

Why did you start doing stand-up comedy?

I started doing stand up because I decided that I want to do comedy professionally; it was always something that I thought about. Stand Up is the best "trainer you can have to not only gain stage presence (no matter your level) but also to network with other comics, whether you're performing at Maui Taco or Caroline's. It's also a good to see where you stand amongst other professionals; this way you can see what it takes to be an "A Player" in this industry.

What was your first time performing comedy like?

My first time performing (stand-up) was a great experience. I was on a boat full of college kids on a study abroad. I had just done a great character comedy routine in the boat's talent show and was approached by a comedian who was also on the trip to open for him. It was the first time I thought of straight up doing stand up. I got some material prepared and just went at it. I was very nervous, despite having 7 prior years of experience with other forms of comedy because I feel that stand up is a lot more personal. On stage, you're pouring out a little bit of yourself, in a way trying to get the audience to know who you are personally; whereas if I'm playing a character, I'm doing the opposite. I guess it went as well as it could have, I've heard such horrible stories about people's first time. I got a good amount of laughs, and a few people said they liked me better than the guy I was opening for, although I just thought they were trying to flatter me (he was really good!). An older man who was on the ship came up to me after and said "You really have something, but you're going to need to work really hard on it. Keep doing it." or something along those lines. Ever since then, I haven't looked back. I've gone on in New York, Austin, Texas A&M University (College Station, TX), Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

What is the worst job you ever had and did it have any effect on your comedy?

The worst job I ever had? I'm not sure if you mean comedy wise or all-jobs wise. I wouldn't call this my worst job, but the summer after my freshman year of college, I worked at a pretty big insurance company. It was something very different for me, but not too challenging - although it did pay well. After that summer, I knew I didn't want to work in a cubicle on a quiet floor, even for 60-100 something thousand per year. There was this one guy who worked there who had led a very exciting life. He was a model throughout his 20s and 30s, and told me all these crazy times he had and things he's seen. When I heard that, I just felt like entertainment is the life for me. I knew I had to work harder at my comedy, so I can make my money off of what I enjoy to do most, and that's making people laugh.