He’s worked with the nation’s prominent headliners including Silicon Valley’s Jimmy O. Yang and America’s Got Talent’s Finalist Vicki Barbolak. His sharp observation, lighthearted sarcasm, and unique delivery have led him to opportunities to perform for festivals including Tower City Comedy Festival, Denton Comedy Festival, and Dallas Comedy Festival. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Peng Dang. The Dallas, TX native shares some of their favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how they always own the laughs.
Name: Peng Dang
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @pengdangcomedy
Years in Comedy: 5
Comedic Influences: Roy Wood Jr. , Jim Gaffigan, Matt Braunger, Paul Varghese, & Cristela Alonzo
Favorite Comedy Album: Roy Wood Jr. “Father Figure”
Favorite Comedy Special: Eddie Griffin “Voodoo Child”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Jackass the Movie
Favorite City to Perform In: Dallas, TX
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Politics, Race, & Culture
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Blue color & lower middle class
Favorite Comedy Club: All the clubs that book me
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
1st open mic.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I got cut off by my HR manager.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Mostly clean + awkward act-outs + observational.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Always write about things that bothered me. Turning negative energy to positive.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Friendly, supportive comics. Tough crowd. Diverse audience and comedians.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
If you are speaking your truth and constantly writing new jokes, you are doing something right. If you can do this for decades, you are a successful comedian.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Paul Varghese & Ralph Barbosa
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Performing in front of Dak Prescott and not knowing who he was.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Never take the easy route.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
It always surprises them because no one assumes that I can be funny.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Stop making unfunny people famous. Stop the industry from picking mediocre.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
You can be as Asian as you want.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Tiger Dick
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Performing in front of Dak Prescott and not knowing who he was. I looked at a random athletic person in the audience and assumed that was the football player everyone was talking about.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A bar was built out of a trailer in the middle of Oklahoma.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Stand-up is a dying art. Young people don’t appreciate it anymore. But they might grow old one day. So there is hope.
What’s next for you:
Workout more and quit smoking.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
We are not supposed to be that happy.
Watch Peng Dang on Kill Tony:
Follow Peng Dang’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @pengdangcomedy
Personal Website: www.pengdangcomedy.com
