Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwayne Dash.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was a kid, there were channels I would always watch: Cartoon Network, The Food Network, and Comedy Central. The first two kept me hooked and intrigued whether I watched them for entertainment or to see something new like a quiche. I have yet to make a quiche correctly, but that’s a story for another day. My comedy journey started with Comedy Central. I adored how comedians were on stage, making strangers laugh. The comedians were able to tell a story that kept others engaged and laughing at the punchline. I remember when Mitch Hedberg said in one of his specials, all photographs of yourself are of you when you’re younger. I liked the joke because it got funnier the more I thought about it and how simple it was. It seemed as though both I and the audience understood the joke at the same time because we all laughed together. I knew I wanted to make others laugh like that myself.
However, it took some time for me to get up the nerve and get on stage or find my voice. I took a class on standup comedy where I learned a lot more about standup comedy from writing jokes to engaging with the audience; however, the main purpose was to help me conquer my stage fright. One of the course requirements was to perform a set on stage in front of strangers and family. The joke I said on stage as part of my graduation requirement was one that stays with me today. I spoke about how my dad gave me advice on how to impress women. I drove it home; it’s great to be yourself and honest. If a woman asks me for money, let them know I don’t have any money because all my money was his. That was the first time I made my dad laugh at one of my jokes. My family members have characteristics that define them. My older brother is the first grandson, my oldest cousin is the smartest of all of us, and my cousin a few months younger than me is the cool one. For me, being funny is my characteristic, and making my dad laugh solidified it for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
After I conquered my fear of being on stage, I was faced with a bigger challenge, seeking validation. I was seeking validation from others and when it didn’t come in the form I was looking for, I began to second-guess myself. I even quit for a bit of standup because I thought I wasn’t progressing. I wanted someone other than myself or my family to acknowledge I was funny and worth booking. Though I stopped performing, I found myself continuously creating new jokes in my free time, and, more importantly, I found myself basking in the same joy as before when it came to making others laugh, but with my coworkers. I restarted my journey, but this time with a vengeance. I know I’m funny and the validation I wanted from others wasn’t going to break me again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in standup comedy and I take pride in knowing I am the guy who will flirt with your mom. I think what sets me apart is that I look like the PBS character Arthur just with a beard.
What are your plans for the future?
My future plans are to continue progressing with my standup comedy by getting more booked shows. Though I am getting booked in my home state of GA, I’m working to get booked out of state. I want to spread my comedy to the masses and sell out several venues.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dwaynedashs?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anker.dash?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: Thedashs
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@anker1dash
Image Credits
Dirty south comedy, Peachpit Comedy
