UNC student Spence Whitman prepares for first comedy show

Attending a university can present new opportunities to achieve goals and chase dreams. UNC student, Spence Whitman, made his dreams possible by organizing his own stand-up comedy show for the first time, which will open this month at the Varsity Theatre. 

Whitman's set, “Problem Solved,” has been a work in progress since May, requiring ample preparation to book a venue, craft the ideal set and perfect his material. Whitman said that he spent the summer performing in front of other people, doing open mics and other events in anticipation of his own show. 

The show is inspired by his life: things he observes in everyday situations and funny stories he wants to share. Whitman regularly carries around a journal, and when inspiration sparks — either from a random thought or observing something he finds funny — he quickly writes it down. This creative process is part of how "Problem Solved" came together. 

"I kind of think of it like an essay, or there's an overarching theme," he said. "And then there's different body paragraphs or points or supporting arguments to my theme — which would be stories, or anecdotes, or observations, or jokes, or impressions — or whatever they are. And I kind of craft it that way." 

Sophie Taylor, aUNC student and friend of Whitman who will be opening for "Problem Solved," said that while she is nervous for her set, she is also excited to perform for Whitman's show. 

“I think comedy is so incredible because it opens people up — when you're laughing, you're open to all sorts of new ideas and perspectives, and it's just, I don't know, it unites people," Taylor said. "And so I'm just excited to experience that, and I'm also excited that I'm doing it with Spence, because I feel like we work together so well." 

Taylor and Whitman both performed for live audiences before, but this is the first show Whitman booked himself. He said that he is introducing some new material in his show, which is a bit nerve-racking for him.

Whitman's first time doing stand-up was his first year at UNC, when he auditioned for False Profits, a comedy group at UNC, of which he is a current member. His audition had to be three-to-five minutes, something he was not used to at the time. 

"It feels like such a horrifying experience because it is, doing it for the first time," he said. "It's the most vulnerable thing you can do, I feel, and I felt pretty comfortable doing it.” 

Jim Bray, a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Dramatic Art at UNC, has performed live as well and said that it is both a brave and revealing act, and the act is better when the performer is willing to reveal parts of themselves. 

"We love stand-up for that, because we laugh, because we know those things exist in us too," Bray said. "And they're naming things that people don't say."

This vulnerability is clear when stand-up comedians seem as though they are not trying to be funny, Taylor said. She loves sets where she is questioning whether or not the performer knows how funny they are being. It is this energy Taylor tries to bring to her own sets.  

Whitman has worked to reach audiences and make a name for himself. His show may be the first of many more to come, and he said he is proud of himself for getting as far as he has.

“Audience members should expect a really good time,” Whitman said. “It's an exciting experience to see.”

“Problem Solved” will take place on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Varsity Theatre on Franklin Street. Interested attendees can visit Varsity Theatre's website for tickets and details. 

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