Rory's Bane

New York City Crime Stories and Stories of Crimes from Rory Scovel on Vimeo.

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Once, Twice, Three Times a Rory

The Source Theater at 7:30pm doing improv with Dr. Fantastic.

Solly's Tavern at 9:00pm doing standup for the festival

DC Improv at 10:00pm doing standup for the festival

ALL SHOWS 8/7/08

Please inquiry with Rory for the "Rory Festival Pass", includes all 3 shows, transportation to and from shows with Rory in Rory's car, meals with Rory, breaks with Rory, photos with Rory, 20 minute power nap with Rory, making a wish in a fountain with Rory, wine tasting with Rory, skipping with Rory, laundry with Rory, saying "Rory" with Rory, a selected reading from Rory, creeping with Rory, staring with Rory, and being left by Rory.

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The Purpose Driven Comedy Show

This past Christmas was the first time I got to utilize my comedy as a form of charity. Granted, comedy is a lot like beauty and the beholder is the final judge of how "charitable" my act was. But, it was such a rewarding feeling. It was the first time that I had contributed something notable to a charity, and it paid me back ten fold. I don't' write this in order to make myself look benevolent or magnanimous, but rather to share in the awesome experience that comes from giving back to another human being from doing something you love. It's a win-win situation.

[Do some good in your life! HIT THE JUMP!]

My friend and DC Comedy: 4 Then comic Rory Scovel hosted a comedy show in our hometown of Greenville, South Carolina that benefited local charity Clement's Kindness. It was hands down the best thing I've done. We were able to raise a good amount of money (for two struggling comedians that is) for the Charity and I can't wait to do something like that in DC. It really really made me think how powerful the sense of humor can be. (And yes, this is a very, very sappy blog.)

This weekend I have the opportunity to perform for a charity event for the Military. I'm actually a little nervous. I don't really have any "military" material and since it is for the troops, I really want to do well. It's one thing to bomb in front of a paying audience and then to bomb in front of the defenders of freedom. I sorta feel like I owe them something, because I'm not fighting. I am not cut from that cloth. I'm a coward. I'm a comic.

Last night I talked to my dad (former Air Force Sgt. Major) about how in the world I could connect with these people. I needed a good ice breaker. I want these people to have a really good time and to not regret their decision of booking me and my friends. The more I prepare the more realized I get. I'm sure the show will go well and that the people will be appreciative no matter what. I'll post another blog about it next week.

Also, I'd love to hear about other opportunities for charity work that involves comedy. With so many organizations in and around the DC area, I'm sure there are opportunities just waiting for a good bunch of comics to snatch them up.
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4 Then Interview: Rory Scovel

In the 4 Then Interview series, DCC4N hopes to answer the question on many DC comic's minds..."What happens when I leave DC?" In this edition, Rory Scovel "sits down" with us and tries to get us to believe that he misses his friends the most.


Since leaving DC in the dust for a shot at stardom in New York City, Rory Scovel has appeared on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, toured Canada twice, and placed third in the Seattle Comedy Competition(first and second were taken). Rory returns to DC this weekend for a full week of shows that you should either catch or catch twice.
Wednesday 12/5: Dr. Dremos in Clarendon. DVD taping w/ Kojo Mante, Jay Hastings, Jon Mumma. Free at 8pm
Thursday 12/6: 18th and Red Showcase. Free at 9pm
Friday 12/7: Headlining the Hyatt Hotel in Bethesda, MD. $10 at 8pm
Saturday 12/8: Headlining the Hyatt Hotel again. Fundraiser. $10 at 8pm.
Also on 12/8: Poonanza at the Warehouse Theater on 7th St. $7 at 10pm

I was lucky enough to have Rory email me answers to questions that I emailed to him the other day. Here are those questions and answers now:

How long were you performing in DC and what were your favorite rooms?

I performed in DC for exactly 3 years. I moved up from SC in February of 04 and started getting on stage in the middle of March. Over the course of 3 years my favorite room of all was Dr. Dremos. It wasn't just the room and the show that made it awesome for me but the whole day. My friends would come over to my house to play video games and drink and smoke and then we'd head out to Clarendon. The crowds were always fun and it was the one open mic that seemed to resemble a real comedy club atmosphere. I also enjoyed Topaz and Bossa on Thursday nights. The best rooms were the ones that weren't just the show but the best to hang out in. When Rendezvous first started I had the best time standing outside on their front porch just talking with other comics before, during and after the show. Because of Dremos on the same night I was only able to do this a few times.

When did you decide it was time to move?

After traveling through Canada for the first time in 2006 I decided it was time to get involved in a new comedy scene. I was originally planning on moving to Chicago when I got home so that I could focus on improv. I wanted to learn improv in Chicago and see how I could apply it to my standup. I loved being in DC and def. wanted to stay with my friends but I knew in order to move on in standup you have to be involved in different scenes so that your act can evolve and you can be influenced and motivated by new performers.

Why did you choose to move to New York?

Because of the Seattle Comedy Competition last year I was able to meet with a few people from CBS and NBC. They told me they were interested in seeing me more often for auditions for random projects. I pretty much had to be in a place where I could drop in for an audition within an hours notice. So it was LA or NYC for me and I love the east coast and have more friends in NYC. That def. made the move a lot easier.

How did your time in DC prepare you for performing in a bigger market?

DC is a great city to start doing standup. 3 years ago it wasn't incredibly difficult to get on stage because there were fewer performers than now. If you could do well at most shows it usually led to invites to other open mics. Seeking out time in rooms wasn't a month or two month wait, usually just a week or two and you could get up. The better you did, the sooner you were back in. Being able to perform frequently is the only way to really get better at standup. DC did that for me and def. prepared me for NYC. I think NYC is a huge jump from DC but really its just a matter of confidence on stage not really the material. So DC taught me how to be a confident performer.

What are you now able to do that you couldn't do in DC?

Well I can't say that I'm able to do this yet but I'm hoping I can say it in the future. By being here in NYC I'm hoping to establish myself amongst the bigger standups and hopefully become a regular opener for someone. Right now I know I can improve my material and my act greatly if I could just perform regularly. To actually get on the road with a comic and do 25 minutes 6-8 times most weekends out of the year is the only way to get better. Right now I don't have any connections or face time with these bigger names and I think NYC might make it easier to change that. Again, can't say thats def. going to be the case though.

What do you miss most about DC?

My friends. My best friends live in DC and they can't be replaced. I think standup comedy really is the wildest mental roller coaster. Having good friends that are right there with you every step of the way and can relate to what you are going through is priceless. It can't be replaced with anything. I wish my friends and I could just get in a van and travel the US doing shows in small venues and coffee houses. I know one day it will happen but its one of those things I wish we could just do right now.

Check out this video of Rory from his appearance on Live at Gotham.

RORY IS DOING THIS, DC! Read more!