Recently, we sat down with Derek Vana, a talented stand-up comedian who is starting to get a lot of attention. We were immediately impressed by his casual, yet hilarious demeanor but even more impressed that he manages to simultaneously live both “outside the box” & in Point Pleasant, PA. Check out his website for more information & links to his hysterical routines. (Warning: You may get hooked into watching hours of his performances!) You can find Derek performing for FREE this Thursday, April 1st, at John & Peters in New Hope at 9pm.
How did you get into performing stand up comedy?
It was a dare when I was working at a casino. I worked overnights in the cashiers cage and I used to entertain the employees by going on the radios and doing voices and telling jokes. Someone dared me to do an open mic, and I said, “If you find one, I'll do it.” I didn't know there was a comedy club attached to the casino. Whoops . . .
When did you decide that comedy was something you wanted to pursue professionally?
I started managing the sister club to the club at the casino, and I kept seeing comics come through every week and I thought, “I can do this.” So I sold everything I didn't need, pawned everything else, and got on a bus to Portland, OR. Portland is a great place for comics to cut their teeth, as you can do open mics every night of the week. It's a great place to grow.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Portland until I was 12, then my mom moved us to Moline, IL , which is the world headquarters of John Deere (the tractor). I went to John Deere Middle School. It seriously exists. I was stationed in San Diego when I was in the Marines, and moved back to Moline until I decided to pursue comedy full time. I kinda grew up all over.
When did you move to Bucks County?
My wife and I moved to Point Pleasant, PA in late August of 2008. She is pursuing a second degree at DeSales and her parents live here, so we figured why not?
Are there any people or places in Bucks that inspire jokes in your routine?
The name Bucks County is the basis for some new material I'm writing about deer and cars. It's groundbreaking, really. I go to school at Bucks County Community College, and while I have jokes about community college that everyone can relate to, I got the inspiration for it while being in school.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Comedy is everywhere. Funny things are always happening. Comics can just look at the things that most people don't equate to be funny and find the funny. You've heard of thinking outside the box? Comics live outside the box.
What's the best experience you've had while performing?
One of the best moments I've had was winning the Funniest Person in Cincinnati Competition in 2006. I had just moved to Ohio to be with my girlfriend (who eventually became my wife). There were three rounds over three weeks and everyone in the audience got to vote for two comics. Naturally, everyone voted for the person they came to see, and then they voted for me. I found out later every ballot had my name on it. It was nice to know I won a contest in a city where no one knew me purely on talent. Most times, comedy contests aren't like that. I also recently returned from a trip to Japan to entertain the troops on the mainland and on Okinawa. Be a former Marine, it was the highlight of my career to do that.
What's your next move?
I recently auditioned and got a call back for a late night show Spike TV is doing. The videotape of my audition is in the hands of Spike executives, and while my fingers are crossed, I have no expectations, because I don't want to be disappointed. I'm realistic about my chances of getting the gig. But if anyone out there knows the executives at Spike in charge of new show development, please tell them I'd be perfect for the show!!
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