Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Stier.
Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started doing improv comedy when I was 13, and I loved it. Then theatre in high school and more improv in college and grad school. People started recommending I try standup, so I and a couple of my improv friends started dipping our toes into it. I initially chose to stick with improv, because I enjoy it better. But then I lived abroad in Mexico, and improv was a little intimidating to do in another language, but standup was more manageable- my first line would always be (in Spanish) “I only know how to say these words because I’ve memorized this speech, so if you don’t like my jokes, say whatever you want- I won’t be able to understand you”. I took a standup class there under El Maestro Gus and started to improve. I took those lessons with me when I came back to the states and started getting more serious about standup. Now I’ve been booked at several venues across the nation and gotten to open for some names I really respect. I am enjoying the journey and hope to keep growing!
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?
Standup is a really hard road. The most common advice veterans will give any newcomer is “quit” or “don’t start”, which isn’t super helpful or encouraging. The standup community has known issues with diversity and inclusion. I’m often the only gay man in the room, and sometimes I have to sit through tasteless homophobic jokes that aren’t funny. But I’ve learned how to use that to my advantage on the mic. Acknowledge it, play with, have fun with it. At the end of the day, anyone listening to a comic tell jokes wants to have fun, so it’s nice to remind myself we all want the same thing. The women have it worse though, I hear some really cringey jokes sometimes and it’s like no wonder women don’t want to participate in this environment. Also, some comedians are straight-up unfriendly. It’s honestly part of what motivates me to continue doing standup. I wanna be part of the change I hope to see in standup comedy- a more inclusive, friendlier standup community.
There’s also a pervasive attitude that putting up with inefficient processes or bad environments should be a prerequisite if you wanna make it. Some open mics will make you wait 3 hours to get three minutes, especially if you’re new. I think this is getting better, as many mics are now implementing an online sign-up method where you can know if and when you’re performing ahead of time. I think making the mics more accessible and welcoming to newcomers will be an important part of improving the diversity in standup comedy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on? How do you set yourself apart from others?
I got to perform at Better Half Comedy in LA this summer, and it’s the highlight of my standup career so far. I had first seen a show there when one of my comedy idols, Caleb Hearon, was performing there, so to get to tell jokes at the same venue was so cool. Even better, the headliners that evening were River Butcher and Adam Conover. My set went over really well, and it was such an exhilarating feeling.
As far as what sets me apart from others, I think I mess with the format a little more and bring a different energy. I involve the audience in my jokes in unexpected ways. I also bring a big, smiling, high-energy “lovable loser” vibe to the stage which is a fun contrast when I’m in a lineup with comics who have a more deadpan delivery (which I also really dig).
That’s one thing that makes it easier to bond with other comics. I don’t really feel like I’m competing with them because we all have totally different niches and styles. There’s room at the table for all of us, you just have to worry about yourself and if you’re improving.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am open for bookings and willing to travel! I have family and friends throughout Texas, so I will happily fly to pretty much any city there, and I’ll likely be able to house myself, too. I’m also willing to travel to other states. So, if you’re looking for an experienced host or opener for your standup show, please message me at andrewcstier@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: direct.me/stieronfire
- Instagram: instagram.com/andrewstieronfire
- Youtube: youtube.com/@andrewstier
- Other: tiktok.com/@andrewstieronfire
Image Credits
Cut
Patricio Mendoza
