{"id":394857,"date":"2026-09-09T15:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T15:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/394857\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T15:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T15:32:11","slug":"from-sebastian-to-stand-up-spencer-wright-takes-the-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/394857\/","title":{"rendered":"From Sebastian to stand-up: Spencer Wright takes the stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Spencer Wright performs in NYC, July 2026. \/\/ Photo courtesy of Spencer Wright.<\/p>\n

Before Spencer Wright was performing stand-up in comedy clubs, he was already making crowds laugh. The only difference? No one could see his face.<\/p>\n

Wright, who graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor\u2019s degree in marketing, spent part of his time at UM behind one of the most recognizable faces on campus: Sebastian the Ibis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love UM and was extremely loud about it,\u201d Wright said. \u201cMy friends made me audition so I could have a way to show school spirit, while also not being allowed to talk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

His first appearance in the suit was at a pep rally at the Ratskeller in 2015, where former Sebastian, John Routh, watched from the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told my boss, \u2018he needs to work on his walk, but he\u2019ll figure it out,\u2019\u201d Wright said.<\/p>\n

And so he did.<\/p>\n

Without relying on speech or facial expressions, Wright learned how to get a reaction from a crowd through movement alone, whether that meant dancing, eating popcorn or kicking his feet up at The Rat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned how to be animated and get laughs through just act-outs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Some moments, though, he could never have planned.<\/p>\n

During homecoming, NFL Hall of Famer and Miami Hurricanes legend Ed Reed put Sebastian in a headlock.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe whispered in my ear, \u2018You\u2019re a legend Sebastian, don\u2019t forget it,\u2019\u201d Wright said. \u201cYou can\u2019t tell Ed Reed no, so I just nodded and saluted him.\u201d<\/p>\n

After graduation, the bird suit came off, but the performer underneath remained.<\/p>\n

Wright began posting comedy sketches in 2020, gaining millions of views across social media. He has since performed stand-up around the country while growing his audience through TikTok<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The transition from performing anonymously in an ibis costume to standing alone onstage may seem drastic, but to Wright, the two versions of himself are not that different.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Sebastian was my own personality, but just at 200%,\u201d Wright said. \u201cNow in stand-up, it is still me, just at 150%.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before playing Sebastian, Wright said he was interested in performing but never had the confidence to pursue it fully.<\/p>\n

Those years inside the costume turned out to provide more than just school spirit. Wright credits Sebastian with giving him the skills and confidence that pushed him to pursue stand-up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter portraying the best mascot in college sports, doing stand-up felt easy,\u201d Wright said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be a comedian if it wasn\u2019t for Sebastian.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sebastian allowed Wright to do what he loves while keeping his face hidden.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the process, he gained the confidence to show it.\n<\/p>\n