Steph Deprez on Opera, Comedy in Europe & Finding Your Audience

Steph Deprez on Opera, Comedy in Europe & Finding Your Audience

What can stand-up comedians learn from opera performers? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian and opera singer Steph Deprez to talk about performing in two very different worlds—and how they have more in common than you might think. We discuss how Steph transitioned from opera into stand-up comedy, starting comedy in Los Angeles before moving to Berlin, and why Europe has become one of the best places in the world to perform stand-up. We also talk about bombing in opera, terrible auditions, finding your audience, and the balance between technical skill and vulnerability on stage. From embarrassing moments to career pivots, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to dedicate your life to performing. If you're into stand-up comedy, performing arts, and stories from life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Steph Deprez & Embarrassing Myself 03:15 The Teacher-to-Stand-Up Comedy Pipeline 08:20 How Do You Study Opera? And Its Connection to Comedy 17:18 Steph's First Open Mic, Starting Comedy in LA & the Similarities Between LA and Berlin 26:02 Comedy as a Hobby & an Escape from Opera 31:47 Why Comedy in Europe Is Amazing & Steph's Berlin Dream 43:25 Bombing in Opera, Bad Casting & Steph's Worst Audition 50:45 Technical Performance & Vulnerability in Opera and Comedy 56:34 Finding Your Audience 1:00:01 Outro

Kyle Lucey on Starting Comedy at 12, Bombing & Becoming a Headliner

What does it take to become a headlining comedian after starting stand-up at just 12 years old? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by Canadian comedian Kyle Lucey to talk about the long road from childhood open mics to touring internationally as a professional stand-up. We discuss dealing with difficult audiences, the brutal process of becoming consistently funny, and why putting in years of work matters more than chasing quick success. Kyle also shares stories about doing mushrooms on stage, his first comedy tour at just 23 years old, and one unforgettable night that ended with him getting egged after bombing. From bad gigs to career milestones, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a life in stand-up comedy. If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the realities of life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 introducing Kyle Lucy & his last bad show 5:18 TOOL talk 9:15 Dealing with distractions & consequences 13:43 Kyle Lucy’s started comedy at 12 28:00 The brutal path to becoming a consistent comedian, and being raised by standup 35:30 Doing mushrooms on stage 42:37 Kyle’s 1st tour at 23, and how he became a headliner 48:34 The power of putting in the work, and waiting to knock on doors 55:57 Getting egged after bombing 1:03:47 Outro

Nya Yeanafehn on Bad Shows, Comedy Growth & Making Germans Laugh

What happens when a bad opener makes a show go completely off the rails? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian Nya Yeanafehn to talk about bombing, bad openers, and the differences between American and European comedy audiences. We discuss how one poorly chosen opener can derail an entire show, whether Germans are really harder to make laugh, and how comedians process bad sets. Nya also shares stories from the early days of performing comedy in New York and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that helped shape her career. From horrible early shows to unexpected career breaks, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at building a comedy career while learning how to handle failure, growth, and audience expectations. If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the realities of life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Nya Yeanafehn 1:30 Not vetting your openers, and how a bad opener can make a show go wrong 7:52 US vs European Audiences, and can you make Germans laugh 15:24 Processing Bombs, how comedy is different in Europe, and the importance of audience size 26:30 Horrible shows starting out in NY 34:30 Unexpected Career Breaks & Creative Process 41:25 The importance of goals & taking care of yourself 50:06 Outro

Rogier Bak on Going Full-Time in Comedy & A Special Recording Gone Wrong

What does it take to quit your day job and go all-in on stand-up comedy? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian Rogier Bak to talk about getting started in stand-up, surviving the difficult early years, and making the leap to full-time comedy. We discuss bombing in front of people you care about, building a first hour of material, and the challenges that come with pursuing comedy professionally. Rogier also shares stories about some of his worst early shows, a special recording that didn't go according to plan, and the moments throughout his career that felt like he was finally making it. From bad gigs to career milestones, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of building a life in comedy. If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the ups and downs of life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Rogier Bak 2:32 Whats the deal with Bratislava 15:56 How Rogier Bak got his start in standup 22:01 The worst shows of the early years, and bombing for loved ones 29:45 Quitting your day job, going full time in comedy, and building your 1st hour 45:23 A special recording gone wrong 54:05 Moments that felt like making it, and being critical of your own work 1:03:40 Outro

Žana Fejzić on Bad Shows, Belly Dancing & Comedy Across Cultures

What’s the difference between a bad dance show and a bad comedy show? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by Berlin-based comedian Žana Fejzić, who tours Europe performing stand-up comedy entirely independently and previously toured professionally as a belly dancer. We talk about bombing in very different art forms, performing comedy across languages and cultures, and how audiences change depending on where you are in the world. Žana also shares stories from bad comedy shows, awkward open mic experiences in Florida, and how performing helped her reconnect with her roots. From specialty comedy shows to self-producing a career across Europe, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build your own path in comedy. If you’re into stand-up comedy, international touring, and stories from life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Zana & her last bad show in a BBQ restaurant 07:58 What makes a bad show? 14:34 Differences between bad dance shows & bad comedy shows 25:48 Zana's experience at a open mic in Florida 32:00 Comedy in different languages & across cultures 38:19 Connecting with your roots through your audience 53:48 Career goals & Zana's dating show 59:49 Outro