Stand-up comedian and Ricks College alumnus Ryan Hamilton will be performing for the Center Stage Performing Arts Series at BYU–Idaho on Jan. 15 and 16.

“I am really looking forward to these shows,” said Hamilton. “It’s a unique experience to come back. I haven’t really performed in the [Rexburg] area since the first time I got on stage. I’m looking forward to seeing students reactions and to share a fun experience with everyone there.”

Hamilton began stand-up comedy here in Rexburg. He performed with a group of other students in three shows on the KWBH student radio station, Craigo’s and in downtown Rexburg.

“I always loved stand-up comedy,” said Hamilton. “I never thought it would be something I would do full-time. I didn’t know how people became stand-up comedians.” 

Hamilton graduated from Ricks College with an associate’s degree in print and broadcast journalism. He continued his studies at BYU and graduated in public relations. 

“I enjoyed [Ricks] a lot. It was a place where I grew a lot academically and professionally, but also as a person. I had a lot of room to explore what I wanted to do with my life,” Hamilton said.

Besides stand-up comedy, Hamilton was a member of the Scroll staff and reported for the Sports and Arts and Entertainment sections. 

“Everything in life helps you with stand-up comedy, specifically communication. A lot of stand-up comedy is on the business side. But in terms of the comedy, it’s the communication side. With the communication degree you learn how to reach people and that is something you have to do as a performer,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton creates his material from a combination of personal experiences and observation. 

“I see that something has potential to be funny and I’ll work on it until it’s funny. I also look for odd things that can relate to large groups of people,” Hamilton said.

According to http://ryanham.com/, Hamilton made his national television debut in 2007 on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham. In 2005, Hamilton won Sierra Mist’s America’s Next Great Comic search. 

Hamilton was also a finalist at the Boston Comedy Festival competition and is a regular on the nationally syndicated The Bob and Tom Show.

“I love performing. I enjoy the creative process behind it and just getting on stage,” Hamilton said. “It’s a good feeling being able to bring something to people that they enjoy and make them laugh for a while no matter what is going on in their lives. It’s fun to have immediate reactions from the audience. I like the fact that every audience is different and I have a distinct relationship with every audience.”

Tickets for the Ryan Hamilton Comedy Night can be purchased for $5 at the BYU–I ticket office or online at www.byui.edu/tickets. The show will start at 7:30 in the Kirkham Auditorium.

Lauren Villaroman

A&E Editor