Today we’d like to introduce you to Parker Slavens.
Hi Parker, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a stand-up comedian from Dallas, Texas, but my journey into the spotlight actually began with magic. I received my first magic kit in fifth grade, and by 14 I was performing a week-long run on the Boardwalk at Disney World in Orlando. Though I’ve since traded sleight-of-hand for a microphone, that early foray into performance art shaped me into the dynamic, engaging comic I am today and launched my stand-up career at 16.
In my junior year of high school, I was injured while at junior varsity football practice. During the evaluation, doctors discovered what turned out to be a lytic lesion. After a follow-up visit to Cook Children’s Hospital, we received great news. On the way home, I asked my mom if we could stop by the open mic at Hyena’s. She agreed, but made it clear I had to sign up myself, she wouldn’t do it for me. I did, and I’ve called myself a comedian ever since.
There have many highs and lows along my comedy journey, but I’m so glad to be walking this path. These days, I wow audiences with impassioned diatribes on the dating scene, hilarious stories from my childhood, and sharp observations on the luxury-athleisure market. You can count on me to deliver relatable comedy—jumping from feel-good anecdotes to half-crazed retellings from my wild and wonderful life—guaranteeing a show that’s both memorable and uniquely entertaining.
I’ve performed at clubs and venues across the country and have had the privilege of sharing the bill with Josh Blue, Greg Fitzsimmons, the Sklar Brothers, and many more.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road. One of the major struggles was the pandemic. I was all set at the beginning of 2020 to move with my buddy to Los Angeles and build our comedy careers in that market when the pandemic started. When the world suddenly changed around us we found ourselves stuck in a small apartment in Denton. I went through something of an existential crisis and re-enrolled in college where I earned a Marketing degree. After a year and a half hiatus from comedy, I found my way back to the stage. And while it was not like riding a bike (I was VERY rusty), I found myself excited for the challenge of the return to something I love so much.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is performing and creating comedy. I specialize in stand-up comedy, but I have also worked in improvisational comedy, show production, live theater, hosting a variety of shows (standard stand-up and panel shows) and I’ve had several podcasts.
I’m known as a fairly silly comedian. I believe that the only job of the comedian is to make the audience laugh, not to look cool, smart or impressive. I am more than willing to commit hard to a goofy act-out and look like a fool.
I am most proud of returning to comedy, even when it was difficult. After 2 years from my return, I have filmed a comedy special I am soon to release. I am very proud that I’ve been able to take what I learned during my time away and apply it to comedy. I am working hard to apply those lessons.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I got married late last year, and that is making me very happy! My wife enjoys comedy, and we have a great time traveling to shows together and comparing notes on the latest comedy specials coming out on streaming. I also enjoy FaceTiming with my almost-2-year-old nephew. He’s already wise to most of my hijinks, but I’ll never tell him the secret to ALL my tricks. If I can make him laugh while he’s waiting for his mashed bananas, it’s a great day. My TV guilty pleasure is “Summer House,” which I love watching to remind myself how smart I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.comediaclub.com/parkerslavens
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkerslayyyvens
- Youtube: @ParkerSlavens
Image Credits
Comedia Club (IG: @wearecomedia) and Lexi&Nico (IG: @lexoreno)
