Jake Sullivan has spent much of his life trying to make other people laugh, a pursuit that began when he was a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in a large Irish family,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cMy grandma was a big comedy fan.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Sullivan was in eighth grade, his grandmother took him to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts for the semifinals of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition. On Sept. 19, Sullivan will compete in the 50th edition of the same event.<\/p>\n
His grandmother is no longer alive to see it, but Sullivan considers the moment a dream fulfilled.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of a tribute to her that I made it this far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reaching the competition\u2019s later rounds is no small achievement for a comedian from Sonoma County. Steve Ausburne, whom Sullivan credits as one of his mentors, competed in the 41st and 43rd editions of the competition. Few local comedians have advanced that far.<\/p>\n
Sullivan, 32, said he has also drawn encouragement from his longtime girlfriend, Akiema Curtiss.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to do stand-up comedy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He began performing at\u00a0Spancky\u2019s\u00a0in Cotati when he was 21 and spent much of his early career on stages around Santa Rosa. Born in Santa Rosa, Sullivan grew up in Cotati and now lives in Rohnert Park.<\/p>\n
Looking for a more stable career, he put comedy on hold and became an electrician, working at construction sites.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took a break from stand-up to start another career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At 28, he returned to comedy. Since then, he estimates he has performed more than 100 shows locally.<\/p>\n
His North Bay credits include appearances at the Lost Church in downtown Santa Rosa, as well as venues in Petaluma, Calistoga and Healdsburg.<\/p>\n
He has also performed at Bay Area comedy clubs including Cobb\u2019s Comedy Club, the Punch Line, Cheaper Than Therapy and Rooster T. Feathers. He has opened for comedians including Pablo Francisco and Scott Capurro.<\/p>\n
Like many stand-up comedians, Sullivan tends to steer clear of political material that could divide an audience. His approach leans toward observation, storytelling and interaction with the crowd.<\/p>\n
In videos posted to Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, he frequently engages audience members in conversation before turning their answers into jokes.<\/p>\n
In one routine, he asks the crowd what kinds of couples they like to befriend. Sullivan says he prefers company that keeps things interesting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to hang out with my friend and his girlfriend who are seconds away from killing each other,\u201d he jokes.<\/p>\n
The final performance of the 50th San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Marin Center in San Rafael. Five finalists will perform 15-minute sets, competing for the title and more than $20,000 in cash and prizes.<\/p>\n
The competition\u2019s past contestants include Robin Williams, Dana Carvey and Ellen DeGeneres.<\/p>\n
For Sullivan, the competition is less about winning than about seeing how far he can take something he first dreamed about as a kid.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goal is to go as far as I can in the comedy competition and develop as a comedian,\u201d he said. \u201cOne day I may be on TV or something. The overall goal is to make my family proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
IF YOU GO<\/p>\n
What: San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition Semi-Finals<\/p>\n
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 19<\/p>\n
Where: Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa<\/p>\n
Admission: $59<\/p>\n
Tickets and information: lutherburbankcenter.org, 707-546-3600.<\/p>\n
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