Funny Talk

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Mark has been doing stand-up comedy for 7 years. photo by Amanda Tyler

Mark Feigenbutz is a junior in the Creative Writing Department who has been studying abroad at the University of Roehampton, London, for the fall and spring semesters. He is a comedian of sorts.

 

Jackalope Magazine: Why did you study abroad?

Mark Feigenbutz: I decided to study abroad in London because the stand-up scene in New Mexico isn’t very strong. Had I known that telling people that I was going to study abroad would have triggered the retort, ‘What’s her name?!’ I may have decided differently.

 

JM: How is London’s stand-up scene? How does it compare to Santa Fe?

MF: London has one of the best stand-up scenes in the world. It’s probably only second to New York, but judging by my experience in London and what I’ve heard about New York, London is a lot less competitive and more comedian-friendly. Comparing the London stand-up scene to the Santa Fe stand-up scene would be like comparing the Santa Fe Native American scene to the London Native American scene.

 

JM: Any crazy stories? Did you ever ‘bomb’ onstage?

MF: My material is a bit unusual, so it’s kind of a crapshoot whenever I go onstage—and by that I mean that my material is me literally shooting crap at the audience. It doesn’t always go over that well. But I did do ‘The Gong’ show at The Comedy Store and I didn’t get gonged off. Basically, you have to make it through five minutes of the most unruly crowd I’ve ever experienced, and if they don’t boot you off, you are awarded the ability to not think about killing yourself for the next 24 hours. I was honored.

JM: Was it a culture shock going from the states to England?

MF: Living in a foreign country for an extended period of time had an ironic effect on me. I expected to fully imbibe the culture that surrounded me—and I did, to an extent – but I really learned about myself as an American. I used to refer to myself as “half German, half Irish.” But when I actually met real German and real Irish people, I realized that I was just an American. Subsequently, I am the best.

 

JM: What kind of stuff (other than stand-up) were you working on in London?

MF: I hooked up with some insane dude that has a boutique production company called Wallop. We made a ridiculous and surreal video of me commenting on the recent events of fake celebrity’s lives. You can check it out here:

JM: Are you glad to be back in Santa Fe?

MF: Santa Fe is awesome. I experienced more sun in the first three days back than all of the combined rays of the last eight months in London. I love Santa Fe. London is an incredible city, but to live in a small town where I can see the mountains is something I think I need.

 

JM: What are your plans for the future?

MF: My plan for the future is to get more involved in acting and to continue making comedy shorts. I have been offered a lead role in an independent comedy film, which should go into production in the fall. That, and I want dance.

You can check out Mark’s other videos and find out about his future comedic ventures here.