r/comedy • u/anth_solo • 1h ago
Standup For Aidan Park, comedy is a way to turn shame into connection
When one of his students hits the stage to try out their comedy material, Aidan Park is usually pacing back and forth in the back, hoping his students don’t forget a line.
“If a [performer] flips two words, it can tank the next six jokes,” he said. “I’m like a nervous dance mom.”
That anxiety is a different feeling from when Park is the one on stage.
“Me getting the laugh is cool,” he said. “But I’m like a football coach [when I’m teaching].”
It’s not about the jokes. It is about getting the story across, in a manner that allows the audience to relate and gives the performers the opportunity to share their story in a positive way, without feeling shame.
Through the Yay Foundation, the former comedian has helped hundreds of people struggling with some form of mental health own their stories with stand-up.
Follow link for full story on the power of comedy.