As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Kevin Heisinger. The Auburn, CA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Kevin Heisinger
Hometown: Auburn, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @kevin_heisinger
Years in Comedy: 7
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: I was on public access on the local Auburn TV station in 2010
Comedic Influences: Norm MacDonald, Bill Burr, Mitch Hedberg and Zach Galifianakis
Favorite Comedy Album: Rodney Dangerfield “No Respect”
Favorite Comedy Special: Norm Macdonald “Me Doing Stand Up”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Airplane!
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Seinfeld
Favorite Comedic Character: Tobias Fumke
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Pop culture, bad movies, current events, and my love life
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: A loud and supportive one
Favorite Comedy Club: The World Famous Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve always loved making people laugh. I was always the class clown in school, and wanted to continue making people laugh into my adulthood. When I discovered a local comedy club, the Sacramento Comedy Spot, I decided to check out an open mic as an audience member. When I realized how relaxed and nonchalant the standup environment was, I thought to myself, I can do this.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I was very nervous. I brought a piece of paper with all my jokes and one liners I’d written. My heart was racing backstage, but luckily a group of my family and friends were all in the crowd to support. My jokes killed, and I found my new passion for stand-up.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Dry and sarcastic with lots of one liners.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
When a joke comes to me it’s typically in conversation, a random thought, or something I’ve read in the news. I quickly jot it down in my phone and sit down later to come up with some sort of punchline. I test it out on my friends, then later at an open mic. If it works, it works. If not, I fall into a pit of despair and question my career choices.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
LA is a vast comedy scene with limitless options. The nice thing is if you’re not feeling a certain comedy spot or mic, there’s plenty more to choose from. While it can be competitive and predatory in many areas, it’s best to find whatever scene works for you and stick with it.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
World tours, selling out shows, having a comedy special, or a paid regular at the Comedy Store.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
My lovely girlfriend Mason Le Compte, my hilarious co host Robby Wagner, Mikey McKernan, Keith Graber, Mike Muratore, Breanna Kelley, Yudhi Sharma, Gideon Ben-Abu, Alan Santiago, to name a few.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Bill Burr popped into a show I was performing at in Atwater Village and I got to meet him. Nice guy!
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you had a bad set, new jokes didn’t work, or if you don’t vibe with the audience, just learn from it and move on. You’re not always going to kill it on stage, so do your best and have fun with it.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They love it! People want to be around me more often since I don’t take myself too seriously, which is hard to find, especially in LA.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Hustle. Put yourself out there. Network, hit open mics, take peoples numbers, get their IG. Go to comedy shows, meet bookers, make connections. Find a local bar or venue and start your own open mic/comedy show. Book other comedy bookers and they will book you in return.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
It would be nice to get paid once in a while. I can’t tell you how much business I’ve brought to multiple comedy clubs just to get a free beer. “Paid in exposure” doesn’t pay the bills.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
If you build it, they will come.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“I Peaked in High School”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I met Justin Timberlake at a golf tournament in Tahoe. I told him I loved him in Shrek 3, but he didn’t think that was funny. He was very egotistical and standoffish, which was no surprise. Later that day, he got slapped in the face by an upset fan for not signing an autograph. But hey, what goes around.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
In front of the Holocaust Museum
A Kevin Heisinger Fun Fact:
I wrote, shot, and directed my first feature film at the age of 18 for my senior project in high school and premiered it for the entire school at the end of the year.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’d love to tour the world, whether it’d be opening for somebody or just touring myself. I would also love to become a regular at The Comedy Store and even the Laugh Factory someday.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
It sounds cliche, but just be yourself. Don’t be too hacky, just relax and have fun with it. You’ll find out what kind of comic you are and what jokes you want to tell in due time.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Worried to say the least. I feel like there shouldn’t be any topics that are off limits, yet people are so up in arms when a joke offends them. Hopefully someday we can all come together and realize that making a joke about a tragedy is not bad as the tragedy itself.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
An episode of Seinfeld where Kramer tries to do stand up.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store with Norm MacDonald, Bob Saget and Gilbert Goddfried.
What’s next for you:
I host an open mic/comedy show every Tuesday at The Roost Cocktails here in Atwater Village where we provide a fun and supportive environment for fellow LA comics. Come through!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because none of us are going to make it out alive. Laugh a little!
Follow Kevin Heisinger’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Kevin Heisinger
Youtube: Kevin Heisinger
