What started out as making goofy videos for projects at Moorestown schools turned into a career for Blake W. Rice. A Moorestown High School alumnus, Rice is an actor, writer and comedian who is making his way in the Big Apple with his stand up, sketch videos and comedic writing.
Rice will be headlining two of his biggest comedy shows yet in New York on March 28 at The Delancey and on April 25 at the Metropolitan Room. The March 28 show is $10 and starts at 7 p.m. and the April 25 show is $15 and starts at 4 p.m.
“Come out to the shows! On March 28 doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. It will be a big, fun time you’ll want to be at,” Rice said.
Rice’s passion for comedy came when he tried to avoid writing school papers and projects, but decided to make funny and entertaining videos for them instead. He started creating more videos on the weekends and from there it became a passion.
Rice went on to study film in college, going to DeSales University before transferring and graduating at Rowan. From there he has been working in New York, making comedic videos, writing sketches, modeling and of course, doing stand up.
“It came naturally for me; I just like to make people laugh,” Rice said.
What was a springboard to his career as a stand up comedian were his shows at the Ella Lounge, where he had his first headlining show. He had three shows at Ella Lounge, performing in April, June and August, that helped him get a lot of gigs.
“Through that I was able to get other venues and shows. It was the first place to give me a shot,” Rice said.
The Delancey and Metropolitan Room shows are Rice’s biggest shows yet. Both venues are bigger than he’s ever performed his stand up at, and he’s really excited for the chance to show people who he is and what he is made of.
Rice would describe his sense of humor as ironic, random, wacky and self-deprecating. He feels that you should be able to laugh at yourself. He also said his jokes are a mixture of appropriate and inappropriate.
“They’re inappropriate at times and appropriate at times; inappropriate until I get yelled at,” Rice said with a laugh.
Rice doesn’t have a specific routine when performing. He will usually have new material every show. He does bits on his family and upbringing “being the third child,” trying to be a comedian/actor in New York and living in New York, and topical things that are going on in the news.
The hardest part for him, other than being poor, he joked, is preparing for each show. Since he is always writing new material, Rice has to make sure that every joke is memorized and down pat before he performs.
Rice would love for everyone who can come to go to his shows. When people come he hopes they get enjoyment from his performance and leave laughing.
“I hope they laugh a lot and have a good time. I hope they have a blast and aren’t worried about my emotional state,” he said jokingly.
For the March 28 show at The Delancey, 168 Delancey Street, Lyons George and Paul Schissler will be opening for Rice. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.thedelancey.com.
“They’re two comedians I dig a lot. It will be a good show,” Rice said.
The April 25 show at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, will begin at 4 p.m. with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. For more information, see metropolitanroom.com.
To learn more about Rice and his upcoming shows, go to his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blakewrice.
