Derek Furtado: July 2011

Ten Questions with Derek Furtado// Featured Comedian: July 2011

(1) What’s your personal definition of comedian?

Comedian is anyone who can find a way to create humor in any aspect of life. And specifically a “Stand-Up” Comedian is someone who can structurally put together jokes/bits/sets to perform in front of a live audience.
 
(2) What got you into comedy? 

My father was in the Marine Corps and because of that I was always the new kid in school. Every few years, my family had to relocate to a new state and I always had to find a way to fit in. The best way for me to fit in was to use humor when meeting new people. So no matter what new school I went to, I became the “class clown.” I wasn’t the class clown that would act up in class to get a laugh but I tried to make comments that even the teachers would find funny. I wasn’t much for getting into trouble. So after living in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Virginia, Rhode Island and now Massachusetts, I decided that maybe as an adult I could try to continue to make people laugh and what better way to do that than “Stand-Up” Comedy.  

(3) Tell us about your very first show. 

At my very first show, I was really nervous that I wanted to do something up front that would be completely embarrassing so that the rest of my set wouldn’t be that bad if I didn’t get a laugh. I was trying to think of something that a lot of people would be afraid to happen to them. I thought of high school graduation and while walking up to receive the diploma to trip and fall. So while I walked on stage for the first time, I took a digger that I could say was quite impressive. Enough that I even got a nice scratch on my elbow and only a few chuckles from the crowd. So when I stood up in front of the crowd, I didn’t say anything for the first 30 seconds. At that point, I asked the people at the front table if I could throw out my gum. I took the gum out of my mouth and put it under their table. Right after I removed the gum I told the crowd… “That chewing gum and walking at the same time bull is way too hard for me.” Not the greatest line in the world but it got my first laugh and I already embarrassed myself right up front.

(4) Most memorable moment (good or bad) in comedy so far. 

The most memorable moment in comedy so far was when I was able to open for Kevin Hart at the sold-out Providence Performing Arts Center in front of 3000 people. The reason why this was the most memorable moment for me was because the day I actually decided to really give comedy a shot, I was on a date at the Providence Performing Arts Center six years earlier when I saw Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from “Whose Line Is It Anyway” do improv. I remember my date turning to me and she asked if I was having a good time because she said that I looked upset. I told her I was having a great time but instead of me laughing at everything they were doing I was just staring down at them thinking that I wanted to make people laugh in front of a large audience like that. Fast forward six years later and I was back at the same place I decided to start doing comedy performing for a sold-out crowd.  

(5 Best part about doing stand-up.

The best part about doing stand-up is the rush that I get while being on stage. There is nothing better than being able to take people away from their regular lives and even if it is just for a short period of time, make them laugh.

(6) Worst part about doing stand-up.

The worst part about doing stand-up is not doing stand-up once you start. It’s like the first time you have sex. You may have some bad performances and some great performances but there is no way in hell that I will NOT do it again. It’s an addiction like no other.

(7) New guy comes up to you and says, “Golly, Mr. Furtado, I’d like to do
what you do. How do I get started?” And you say…

I would first ask, “Did you really just say golly?” This is actually a common question that comics get a lot. I guess there is no perfect answer but I always say just do it. I give out information of open mics in the area and tell them to build five minutes of material. After that it’s all up to him or her to just get up and do it.

(8) Things you wish you knew then that you know now.

Wear a condom.

(9) Your one-sentence philosophy on comedy.

I guess this isn’t a philosophy on comedy but my own philosophy for me when I get on stage. “Second best joke first… best joke last… I want to grab people’s attention when I walk on stage and I want them to remember me when I leave.”

(10) The question (about comedy) you’ve been dying for someone to ask you – plus the answer.

To tell you the truth I really haven’t thought of what I would like someone to ask me about comedy.

HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN CATCH DEREK IN JULY: 

• Derek hosts the Open Mic at Jillian’s Bar and Grill in Somerset, MA every other Thursday. July 14th and July 28th starting at 9PM
• Hardcore Comedy Showcase at the Rhode Island Comedy Connection Friday July 15th 10:30PM
• Headlining at the Taphouse Grill in Fall River, MA. Thursday July 21st 8PM
• Competing in the Rhode Island Comedy Throwdown in Newport (date and venue not yet announced)