If your last month of school looks anything like mine, you probably have so many upcoming assignments it’s not even funny.
Between projects, papers and presentations, it feels impossible to catch a breath, right?
Fortunately, on April 8 laughter will be restored to the corridors of UT. A comedy show will be hosted in Reeve’s Theater from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Hosted by UT’s own John Jacobs, a junior communications major, the show will feature other comedians including Matt Fernandez, Greg Kashmanian and UT alumnus J.B. Ball.
“I’m pumped!” Jacobs remarked. “[It] should be great. We’re all excited for the show.”
“I’ve never performed at a college campus. I’m really excited to perform for a large group of people [who] are the same age and of the same mindset.” Fernandez said.
The concept of hosting a comedy show started with J.B. Ball. After noticing UT’s lack of local performing talent, he brought the idea to faculty. Once he received approval, he got in contact with Jacobs, Kashmanian and Fernandez.
“When I was a student here, I was leading double lives. Everyone knew me as a basketball player. No one even knew that I had been writing for comedy,” said Ball.
“UT always brings in comedians every year, but never any local comics, and, seeing as how I’ve seen both sides of the fence there, I know there’s some hidden gold right here in Tampa, as far as people who can come and put on great shows for students,” he said.
The comedians come from an array of backgrounds. Fernandez has been performing for two years and recently won the Side Splitters Opportunity Knox contest.
Kashmanian has been performing for three years and participated in improvisational comedy before doing stand-up. Jacobs has also been performing for two years and Ball has been performing for seven months at various college campuses.
With four comedians with different styles, it’s bound to be a good time.
“I think Matt, J.B. and I will do well. I just don’t think the audience will understand when John walks in with a tray full of donuts, trying to hawk them to the unsuspecting audience, [that] was expecting a comedy show,” Kashmanian explained.No one is sure if he was kidding.
With finals quickly approaching and stress lurking in the hallways, it’s important to get our last month started off right.
The show will be recorded for DVD.
“My favorite part of performing is when I can see I’ve won the crowd over. It’s that moment on stage when you realize, at this point, you can say anything you want and they’re totally going to be on your side about it. They’re just staring up at you with eager eyes, craving your next sentence, secretly hoping you’ve got even more to say,” Ball said.
“I do it because it’s fun, but I wouldn’t say I do it for fun. This is what I want to do and what I want people to remember me for,” Fernandez said.
Tomy Wilkerson can be reached at tlwilkerson@spartans.ut.edu.