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<p>« ASK FOR IT BY NAME - JESSICA ST. CLAIR FOR MARSHALLS | Main| Elayne Boosler Is the New Tyler the Creator » Monday Apr 04 2011  Inside With: Billy Procida, Organizer of the 'Make Me Laugh' NYU Comedy Festival</p>
<p>Monday, April 4, 2011 at 4:12PM  By: Morgan Venticinque</p>
<p>Recently, I was lucky enough to perform to a packed audience of freshman at the first ever Make Me Laugh NYU Comedy Festival. This comedy festival is a series of six shows taking place throughout the different NYU Dorms--from little black box theaters to in-dorm dining halls. Each show has a different theme and involves comedians from the New York comedy scene as well as NYU students and alumni. The bulk of the festival is being produced by a sole student/comedian, 21-year old senior, Billy Procida.</p>
<p>Where did you get the idea for the festival?</p>
<p>I had been putting on shows here and there in different dorms but nothing very consistent. I friend of mine suggested that i should maybe do a series of shows over a shorter period of time, involving more of the dorms all at once.</p>
<p>What was NYU's involvement with it?</p>
<p>There is a point person I work with on logistics for each particular dorm, but overall it's just me producing the festival. I got the shows approved, booked the talent, and worry about advertising and food.</p>
<p>Was it hard getting NYU on board with the project?</p>
<p>NYU gave me a lot of red tape when it came to money. Each individual hall has been very enthusiastic about helping me out with their show, but when it came to money there were so many rules about what the money could be used for and how. I have funding coming from three or four sources and each one has different rules on how I can use it. It's a real pain in the ass! Some halls that were supposed to have shows backed out for weird reasons. It's like when barkers say "Hey do you like comedy?" The people who say 'No' are probably hipster NYU students or NYU Program Board members.</p>
<p>What is your main goal with the festival?</p>
<p>Comedy is just so expensive in NYC. I remember my freshman year, I hadn't even started comedy yet, but I went to my first comedy show at the now-defunct Comix to see the Sklar Brothers headline. I went by myself and loved it. It was expensive, but then I started going back and emptying my wallet to see Dave Attel, Gilbert Gottfried, Arj Barker, and others. Thank God I don't have to pay for comedy anymore. This is a great way for students to take in some of the great comedy New York City has to offer for free. Hopefully this will get more students out there checking out the scene. I also got to book some great comics that most kids would have never heard of otherwise. Also, I was able to create a lot of stage time and hosting opportunities for myself!</p>
<p>Where do you see the Make Me Laugh Comedy Festival going next year?</p>
<p>I'd love for this to become a yearly thing, and possibly expand to other universities; make it a NYC College Comedy Festival that would bring together different student bodies. Right now, I'm just focusing on banging out 6 awesome comedy shows.Make Me Laugh runs now through the end of April--there are 4 shows left. Shows are open to NYU students but any non-NYU students wishing to see them can contact Billy directly at wpp209@nyu.edu to get on a list. For more info on the fest, check out the facebook event page. The Apiary | Post a Comment tagged Billy Procida in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary , Interviews Reader Comments</p>
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