Today we’d like to introduce you to Vince Royale.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 from New Jersey after a bad break up and unemployment. This led to my battle with depression. I started hanging out at bars during comedy nights. After a few months I was considered a regular and was invited by an open mic host to perform. Even though I had no material I went on stage intoxicated and after a drunken rant the audience enjoyed my performance. Apparently, they found my antics and short comings hilarious. After that night, it brought a spark into my life, and I become obsessed with stand-up comedy. I’ve been pursuing my passion for comedy for over a decade and have been touring the world as a working comedian. Although it took years and I had my ups and downs, I’m definitely excited to see where else my comedy journey will take me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first few years of stand-up comedy were definitely a struggle. I wasn’t able to work a regular 9 to 5 since it limited my availability to travel and perform road gigs. I had to have multiple side hustles and temp jobs. There were also periods of my life where I struggled financially and had to live out of my car. Fortunately, for the past 4 years I’ve been working full time as a stand-up comedian performing at different casinos, comedy clubs, and cruise ships. It took years to develop relationships and build trust with bookers to prove my professionalism and ability to get the job done. I learned that being funny is important but being professional and business oriented is mandatory for longevity in this business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a stand-up comedian that immigrated to the U.S. as a child from the Philippines, I’m proud of being able to bring joy to people’s lives from all walks of life. Being able to travel allows me to learn about different cultures and lifestyles. I learned to find humor from all different corners of the world. Years of comedy has led me to develop the ability to think quickly, a sense of empathy, observational, and writing skills. When it comes to how I work I tend to just feel out the room and try my best to shift the energy into a positive vibe.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
If you are interested in pursuing stand-up comedy, I would recommend reading the book “Mastering Stand-Up” by Stephen Rosenfield and watch/study your favorite comedy specials and documentaries.
Contact Info:
- Website: @linktr.ee/vinceroyale
- Instagram: @vinceroyale
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinceroyale
- Twitter: @vinceroyale
- Youtube: @VinceRoyale
Image Credits
*LYT Comedy Show (Personal Photo)
*Rey Cabato (Additional Photos)
