Conversations with Uriah Wesman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Uriah Wesman.

Hi Uriah, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I started comedy over seven years ago after going through a breakup that was so bad I started to enjoy my call center job. Except I was still miserable and searching for my purpose. I took a trip from Victoria, British Colombia, down to Portland. When I was there, I ended up seeing a comedy show. A show that was so bad I was like, ” I can do this.” So, I wrote some jokes and performed at my first open mic May 3, 2017. I knew this is what I wanted to so. So, I decided to quit my job to go on an open mic comedy tour. All of this seems crazy. However, I subconsciously learned from my parents that if you love something, you gotta go all in. My parents went all in on a doomsday cult in the ’80s/’90s. I went all in on comedy. Fast forward to today. I’m now set to debut my one-man show, ” Three Cults Walk Into A Bar,” About my growing up in three cults. Getting kidnapped as a child. Along with a near-death experience. I don’t want to give too much away, but that’s some of the headlines of the story. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish the road was smoother, but I’m certainly glad it wasn’t just smooth sailing because who wants to hear the story of someone who has no challenges or adversity? While on my open-mic comedy tour. I make it all the way to Las Vegas then my car breaks down. I should have been that coming. My car had 350000km on it. It actually could’ve been more; the speedometer wasn’t working. It’s important to note that I didn’t just start talking about my life. I was a one-liner comedian for about 6 years of it. It wasn’t till I mentioned this to another comedian who’s been doing it way longer than me, and his reaction was, “What the hell are you doing telling one-liners?!?” 

I also lived in a tent in my parent’s backyard in Santa Barbara from 2018-2019. Where I learned to produce comedy shows and open mics, which helped a lot with created relationships and fostering a small little scene for a bit. The only problem was the whole tent thing. It’s hard to joke about living in a tent while living in a tent. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Encompassing my entire life, building my sense of humor and who I am is best put by: Come to my own man show ” Three Cults Walk Into A Bar, May 11th at The Lyric Hyperion. I’m a stand-up comedian from one-liners to storyteller. My view from a POV of a unique childhood and the ramifications it had on me, take all that trauma, put into words in the form of jokes with the hopes of making a career, that’s comedy! 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Oh man, the traffic is pretty cool. The ridiculousness of the need to get to the red light first astounds me. I get a huge kick out of it. If you’re reading this at a light, that’s me honking at you because it’s green. 

Of course, the best thing about is this is a city is the open mic that I produce at The Lyric Hyperion with Liz Zagone & Maddie Odgen. This probably one of the best open mics in the city. Always great vibes with an audience. It’s a place where even seasoned comics come to try out material. Open mics are vital to a comedian’s growth, and if you’re looking to grow, this is the place. That’s every Monday 9 pm. I also co-produce a weekly comedy show with Mike Bridenstine at The Glendale Room. Where you’ll see excellent comedians without those hasty 2 drink minimums. Every Friday 8 pm. 

I hit that jackpot by working at The Lyric Hyperion because I can always be around great shows, people, and comedy. I knew that if I had to work a job in LA, it was going be at least at a place where they did comedy. Now I work there, have an amazing open mic, and where I hopefully will do a run of my one-man show. 

Pricing:

• Flaghship Comedy $10
• Open Mic Free
• Three Cults Walk Into A Bar $20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/three-cults-walk-into-a-bar-tickets-726865222447
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uriahjokes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjkPsxyYdOF3mGWI5N9jgBw