Do you know what’s it like to appear on a stage under a bright light in front of a room full of drunks you’re supposed to make laugh?
Dan Cochran does.
The 29-year-old Seymour High School grad is an aspiring stand-up comic.
I caught up with Cochran at the place where all Valley comics hang out — the Dew Drop Inn on North Avenue in Derby.
In between rounds of Coronas, he chatted about his recent foray into comedy.
Valley Indy: Stereotypical first question from a reporter to a stand up comic. Were you a class clown?
Dan Cochran: Absolutely. My whole life people have told me I should do comedy. It took me awhile, but one day I decided to just go ahead.
Valley Indy: When did you first step on a stage?
Dan Cochran: January of this year at Joker’s Wild in New Haven. When I decided to do it, I looked on the Internet for open mics. But there were really none in Connecticut — a lot in New York. I was planning on going to New York, but I heard about Joker’s Wild and that they were doing open mic on Wednesdays. I started going there every Wednesday and meeting other comics and networking.
Valley Indy: What was that first time like?
Dan Cochran: Everything you would think it would be. Scary. You’re shaking. You’re forgetting what to say. There was probably only 10 people in the audience, but when they announced me they said “This is this guy’s first time,” so they were nice. Nobody heckles a first timer.
Valley Indy: Did you get any laughs?
Dan Cochran: I definitely got some laughs. It was the greatest feeling. People say it’s like a drug. It’s indescribable. They say to do five to 10 minutes. I was so nervous I think I burned through everything in three minutes.
Valley Indy: How do you deal with hecklers?
Dan Cochran: I usually call them old. That really offends people, especially women.
Valley Indy: Have you bombed?
Dan Cochran: I was doing a guest spot for Rodney Laney. I had to do the 8 o’clock show and the 10 o’clock show. You want to talk about bombing. It was a nightmare. As soon as I opened my mouth, everyone started talking. Nobody was listening to me. I couldn’t think straight, my mouth got dry. I burned through all my stuff, I got offstage … I was thinking about quitting.
I went up for the 10 o’clock show and I’ve never been better. I think I just had more confidence. It was weird. I think I was just so pissed off from the 8 o’clock show I just wanted to bury it.
Valley Indy: Where can we see you next?
Dan Cochran: I was supposed to open for Jimmy Walker at Joker’s Wild, but now I’m not. You can usually see me any Thursday at Joker’s Wild. Pat Oates, a really funny comedian, sort of runs the show down there, and he’s really taken me under his wing. He puts me in shows all the time. I’m really grateful to him.
