Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Martin.
Hi Isaac, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like many open mic’s, I was fascinated about doing standup throughout my childhood but didn’t think I had what it took. I pursued as many comedic and creative opportunities as possible (my first real “look at me, I’m funny!” performance was a talent show intermission where my buddies and I rapped Beastie Boys songs). Eventually, I hit my first few mics close to where I grew up after I could muster up the courage and put together a memorized //albeit rough// five minutes. The first made me fall even harder in love with the craft; the second made me regret ever considering taking the microphone. I didn’t hit another mic for about a year after that.
After I got back into it, I was getting into my third year at the University of Arkansas. The comedy scene could have been more developed. Still, I took every opportunity I could and began helping an incredibly talented comedian and friend of mine, Important Jordan, start Fayetteville’s first monthly comedy showcase. Very quickly after, I became a regular at The Grove Comedy Club, where I could network and open for some very talented and well-known comedians. Many of them were very kind and encouraging and suggested I continue with standup and develop the comedy scene in Northwest Arkansas. I negotiated a contract with Tin Roof Fayetteville to bring comedy to their main stage starting in October of 2022, and they have brought us back every month since.
Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Eh, a mix of both. As a young, straight, white male comedian, the competition is endless. Additionally, like my counterparts, I enjoy writing about taboo topics, as – in my experience – humor makes tragedy easier to digest (the humor part is crucial, though. Otherwise, you’re just a dick). Not everyone agrees, lol. I noticed that the people who were more adversely affected by whatever the issue was that I was talking about were laughing, while those unaffected scorned. Specifically, one joke I do mentions chemotherapy, and I have had many people tell me after shows that it is in poor taste for one reason or another. In the same shows, I have had people actively going through remission tell me that the joke helped them laugh at an otherwise dark time. In my limited experience, I would say that my biggest struggle has been overly outspoken white audience members attempting to censor comics about issues they have no experience with because they hate themselves and need an outlet for that hatred.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of the opportunities I have helped develop for standup in my community. I am a 21-year-old comedian of average height, so I wouldn’t say, “I am set apart from others.” I received the opportunity to open/feature for SNL cast members in my first year performing standup, though, so that’s pretty sweet.
What are your plans for the future?
I will be graduating in May this year and am looking to move to Queens, NY, so I can go back to struggling for stage time at open mic’s.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ism.comedy
- Other: tiktoks: @ism.comedy and @disasterpack
