Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Schrilla.
Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Big update: I am making big moves in Comedy since people have checked in on me.
Two years ago, I was just a guy who liked standup comedy. Currently, I am a guy who still likes standup comedy but also hosts for big-name comics, performs as a featured comedian, and produces many comedy shows at multiple venues.
I am short, like a middle schooler short. Short guys have to be a bit more assertive, charismatic, and try a little more to be taken seriously. So, I have worked pretty darn hard to have what little local success I have right now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes and no. It’s a lot like a road trip now that you mention it. There are things that will slow you down. There are wrong turns you’ll make that take you way off course. I often times want to take a break.
Struggles: Trying to get comics to be on time, dealing with comedians who drop and get better gigs when you are trying to get dates nailed down. It’s a lot. Controlling a rowdy lady who has had too many white wines is a rough one.
Other than the logistics or the occasional “why don’t you do this type of comic or book so and so” type of industry stuff it’s all pretty easy.
Best part: It’s a saturated market, and there are dozens of standup comics that are better than I am so it’s been nice. Hard at times to spread the love around, but I am working on it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Hosting…that is what I am best at. I love orchestrating a good time. Setting comics up for success on a lineup. I love playing off of each comic and creating one cohesive fun time that consists of penis jokes, political humor, comedian’s stories, and good old fashioned roasting of people and topics.
I am known NOW for producing extremely fun shows. I run a venue not far from my own house in the middle if Gainesville’s square. Since running this room with such laser focus on people who want to see quality standup, I am in a position to book nationally headlining comics starting Jan.
I am most proud of the comics that have grinded out night after night and improved. It’s like watching baby birds fly if the birds were guys and girls who come from broken homes and say wild off-color shit in dive bars and comedy clubs for little pay.
Another thing I get to brag about a little is interviewing famous comedians on my YouTube show Bite-Worthy. I have interviewed Louis Katz, Sean Patton, Adam Ray, Steve Byrne, Liam Nelson, and more.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Best advice won’t come from me, but I can pass the two little nuggets of advice that I like that other comedians gave me:
1. Always be doing two things at all times; Get better and have fun. If you’re not having fun, but you’re getting better, then take a beat and pause from it for a minute. If you’re having fun but not getting better, then rewrite some stuff, write new stuff, and level up your jokes because they probably blow.
2. If you bomb, it’s okay and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re bad altogether. If you kill, it doesn’t mean you’re great altogether. You have to do one or the other CONSISTENTLY to get a proven result. Other than that, it’s just variance and little adjustments are needed.
I wish I knew that not all venues have a stage (sorry for the people in the back some time).
Contact Info:
- Website: ryanschrillacomedy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_schrilla_comedy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanschrillacomedy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTsn6deVfBys79LmwMejReg
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/bite-worthy-comedy-58207418593
