Kieron Harrell was born and raised in the Cincinnati suburbs. Back then, whenever there was a talent show in school, he was always the first in line to participate. “I was the only one that was trying to make people laugh,” he recalls. These days, comedy fans want to be first in line to see him on stage. We sat down with him for this week’s Take 5.
How did you get into comedy?
My first time getting up and doing standup, I was in Ms. Smith’s fifth grade math class.
Everyone was diagnosing me the first half of my life, except a doctor. My grades were good, I just preferred standing up … “You just want me to shut up and I don’t want to.”
"How challenging is crowd work? I can’t believe it’s that easy.
To me, crowd work isn’t hard at all. I enjoy doing it. I’ve got my 45 minutes of material, but I also want to have fun on stage. I don’t want to be the guy talking to the crowd. I want us to experience this night together. I love talking to people who are there.
Who are some comedians that have influenced you?
Of course, Dave Chapelle, but I would say one of my favorites in Chicago is Kristen Toomey. She is a gift to this earth. She is phenomenal. Josh Johnson is getting a lot of deserved attention right now. He’s worked his ass off the last eight, nine years. He’s phenomenal.
How important is social media to you and today’s comedians?
I would say that it is too important. I do love the doors that it allows people to open, but I think it aids in the degradation of the art. It’s a tightrope walk. We’re artists and we have a responsibility. When I reach out to clubs, they ask how many followers I have.
How do you improve on your craft?
No. 1, I think you need a community, and mine is honest with me. Do we like this joke? We’re not going to be “yes man” for you. We want you to give them what’s great. No. 2, I think just doing it. Getting up as often as you can get on stage, it makes the difference in everything.
Admit it – you’ve got time this week. So before joining us for Kieron’s 8PM Saturday show at Comedy Plex, check out his socials, including Instagram, not to mention his website and his YouTube channel.
Take 5: KIERON HARRELL