“Nothing is funnier than a headache”

David Wicker

A bright light illuminated Samm Severin’s face while she was up front. The crowd turnout at the End Times Open Mic has been consistent, and the comedians have enjoyed performing despite a few nerves. The End Times was popular enough to be extended continued with the Big Headache Comedy Showcase, which will move the action from the FolksArt to Buffington’s.

Nervousness and excitement fuels local slew of talented comedians at the first Big Headache Comedy Showcase, happening at Buffington’s

The nervous, sweaty comedian stepped into the bright lights and faced the crowd, wondering how in the world he was going to make this many people laugh for 10, long minutes.

Nine brave and talented souls will step onto the Buffington’s stage and have that same exact thought while performing at the Big Headache Comedy Showcase on Sept. 10.

Samm Severin, comedy showcase host and senior creative writing major, drew inspiration for the event’s name from a previous conversation she had with performer Andrew Markle. The two humorously agree-d that “nothing is funnier than a headache.”

With the payment of a $5 cover charge, patrons can enter Buffington’s at 10 p.m., expecting an entertaining show.

“There is a lot of talent in Milledgeville, and I think we should showcase it here,” Severin said.

A range of people will perform at the event, including some comedians from Athens and Atlanta. GC students and alumni are included in the line-up as well, showcasing Milledgeville’s local talent.

Comedians performing during the Big Headache Showcase include Kevin Hall, DeAndre Beck, Gray Lindsay, Connor Yates and Steve Holbert.  They are all GC affiliates, and regulars at the End Times Open Mic Night as well. The open mic night event is held at The FolksArt gallery on the first Monday and third Saturday of every month.

“I created the End Times Open Mic Night with the gracious help of the FolksArt owner, Kim Joris,” Severin said. “I called on the people who performed there to see if they would like to come out for the Big Headache because I saw how good they were doing at the End Times and wanted to give them another place to share their voice. I get really excited about everyone from the open mic night and am always so proud of them.”

Markle, Andrew George, Cherith Fuller and Caleb Synan top off the line-up list for the comedy showcase, which will provide the crowd with a multitude of different comedic tastes.

Although some of these comedians are seasoned performers, many are still nervous about carrying out their comedy routine.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t always a little nervous,” Kevin Hall, recent GC graduate, said. “The first time I ever did it I was completely sober, and it was kind of terrifying. I think I’ve found just the right amount of booze I need in my system to be more comfortable though. And the more I do it, the easier it gets, but I think I will always be just a little nervous no matter how many times I do it.”

Clair Guy, front house manager at Buffington’s, is excited for the showcase and believes the show will attract a great turnout.

“I think our long-standing relationship with the comedians of Milledgeville is nice,” Guy said. “People want different reasons to go out besides listening to a band or having a drink. This isn’t a typical reason to be downtown. Laughing is therapeutic, so I am happy to be apart of it.”

With expectations set high, everyone involved in creating the Big Headache Comedy Showcase is readying themselves to provide fun-seekers plenty of laughs.

gcsunade | gcsunade.com

The host of Big Headache Comedy Showcase, Samm Severin, takes center stage at another comedy night at the FolksArt. Most comedians feel the pressure in front of a crowd, regardless of how many times they have been up in the spotlight.

Posted by Kate Federman on Sep 6 2012. Filed under A&E, Lead stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.