Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Evans.
Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
It wasn’t until after high school, my freshman year of college that I started acting. I wanted to be lazy and take the summer off, however, my parents wanted me to take at least a couple classes. I decided that I would take an “intro to theatre” course. Since I was an inexperienced film director, I figured it might be helpful to understand the acting process. What surprised me was how much I liked it. Professor Shannon remains one of my favorite teachers and I owe a large chunk of who I am now to her. Near the end of the semester, she suggested that I join her “Acting III” class which was really an improv class. I loved it even more. I can certainly say some of my happiest memories are from that class. I met an amazing group of people who gave me the confidence to continue.
In 2018, I moved to Denton, TX to attend the film program at The University of North Texas. There I performed live for roughly two years with the official UNT Improv club in various troupes. I met some amazing performers and I’m very thankful for the time I spent there. I graduated in 2021 and now work as a freelance videographer/editor.
I was initially bummed when I moved back to McKinney after college. I didn’t have an outlet to express my creative energy. Sometime in September of 2021, I passed by The Comedy Arena in Downtown McKinney, TX and I decided to sign up for a sketch writing class. If you don’t know what sketch is just thinking Saturday Night Live. An hour-long of short original live comedy sketches written by the performers. Under our great Coach Jonda Robinson, we performed our first show in November, and we officially performed as “RENT FREE” in March. Since then, Von Daniel (The Comedy Arena owner) has made us the official House Troupe.
I’m so glad that I get to work with such talented writers & performers. There’s not many venues in DFW that offer sketch comedy. It gives me a lot of joy to make people laugh. Life has been rough for everyone since the COVID Pandemic. This gets me out of the house, and we want to do our best to help. Great drinks, Great Food, cozy atmosphere, and if you’re there, we’ll do our very best to make you laugh.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up I never would have guessed how my life would turn out. For most of my childhood, I was extremely quiet and shy. I vividly remember my first panic attack at 9 years old. This took me on a long arduous journey of therapists, medication, and ultimately a diagnosis of general anxiety & depression disorder. This became more difficult in my later teens, however, through much persistence, I eventually found the right therapist & medication for me.
I was very fortunate to have a small group of loyal friends growing up. I never had a problem joking with them or making them laugh. But when it came to strangers or large crowds, I was pretty sheepish. My only outlet of expression was filmmaking. My brother and I were obsessed with movies. We started making our own little short films, and I enjoyed being behind the camera. The past three generations on my dad’s side were all bald doctors. For a time, I wanted to be a doctor too. However, once I got to high school, I knew all I wanted to do was work in movies. So yes, I’m the one who had to screw up the streak, but hey at least I’m not bald.
Lastly, a year before COVID I had about a year’s experience its standup comedy. I enjoyed it but it was by far the most difficult type of performance I had ever done. I stopped during the pandemic, but hopefully, soon I’ll get the courage to try it again. I still struggle with anxiety and depression. The pandemic especially made it difficult for me. But joining RENT FREE has reinvigorated my love for performing. Being able to perform in public for the past 6 years has given me more confidence, and all I want is to continue to learn and grow. I recommend performance classes to anyone out there who struggles with anxiety and public speaking.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Creatively I primarily work in comedy. If everyone is laughing all the time it doesn’t feel like work. I started out learning a more serious version of theatrical improv that somehow morphed into improv comedy. It was just a natural fit. When I got to UNT Improv, I really had to prove myself because I was performing with such high-quality performers. I usually just let whatever weird thing on my mind blurt out, and I was known for my witty vocabulary. I’m proud of those live performances. We had a great cast and some great audiences.
I still have an aspiration for filmmaking. I’m hoping of mixing the two one day. Comedy-wise I have a YouTube channel where I’ve posted all my short films. Most are comedy skits, but some are more abstract. Recently, I Directed and co-wrote a Mockumentary called “Kreep Khronicles”. A satire of ghost-hunting reality TV shows, following four bumbling ghost-hunters investigating a haunted doll. I co-starred and wrote it with 3 of my best friends from high school, and I feel our chemistry really shines. It was a lot of fun to make and if you have the time, please give it a watch.
In RENT FREE I enjoy playing very outlandish and loud characters. For example, I’ve recently played an unfaithful Painter, A Divorce Ceremony Priest, a guy who gives birth on stage, and a Spanish soap opera love interest just to name a few. We’ve had some wonderful crowds recently, and they keep growing after every show.
Over this past year, I’ve also really found a passion in writing. A couple of the examples I listed were ideas that I wrote into scripts. It’s really fun creating a character, rehearsing, finding the right voice, and critiquing everyone’s work. If something doesn’t work in one show we rewrite and fix it so that the whole show is strengthened. It’s fun to brainstorm ideas and see them come to reality.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Over the past six years I’ve been performing, the number one thing I’ve learned is never be afraid to fail. Failure is just part of the game. If you give up after every failure, then you’ve given up any potential to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thecomedyarena.com/
- Instagram:@rentfreecomedy
- Facebook: @rentfreecomedy
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UChwF2Ra44u8N3NvuB3zaiIw
- Other: @thedirtydanz
Image Credits
Andrew Evans
Hemi Aluwalia
Yani Canales
Mickey Carmine
Diana Connor
John George
Joel Green
Tracy Malanga
Kristi Millican
Brian Whittey
Von Daniel
