Have you ever wondered what it takes to get on stage and make a room full of strangers laugh? This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the hilarious Niek Theelen, a stand-up comedian who has been performing for over ten years. From his very first open mic experience to headlining shows across Canada, Niek shared his journey through the world of comedy and the inevitable anxiety that comes with performing live.
A Passion Discovered
Niek's love for stand-up comedy began unexpectedly while he was studying at the University of Lethbridge. His professor tasked him with writing a 10-minute stand-up routine as part of a screenwriting class, and though he wasn't sure if he would ever perform it, Niek found himself falling in love with comedy. One year later, he found himself on stage at an open mic night. Despite the nerves, tricky stage setup, and his own mobility challenges, Niek knocked it out of the park and won the Comedian of the Month award.
He hasn't looked back since. Niek shared that his disability, cerebral palsy, gives him a unique perspective and stories that he weaves into his routines. From blending truth with fiction, he keeps audiences guessing while making them laugh. But, like many comedians, the journey to success hasn't always been smooth.
Stand-Up & Anxiety: Two Sides of the Same Coin
As we chatted about the realities of performing, we both agreed: comedy and anxiety often go hand in hand. Whether it's the adrenaline rush of stepping on stage or the uncertainty of how an audience will respond, anxiety is a constant companion. But instead of letting it overwhelm us, we try to channel it into our performances.
Niek and I shared some of our personal experiences with anxiety. For Niek, the trick is managing nerves by preparing in advance—whether it’s writing jokes down or using a voice recorder to capture ideas. He also avoids eating too close to a performance to avoid feeling sick on stage.
For me, it's all about getting the performance over with. I’ve learned to cut back on caffeine on show days and focus on the excitement of making people laugh. The key, as Niek mentioned, is to embrace the anxiety. After all, those nerves are a sign that we care deeply about what we’re doing. And if you push through it, the payoff is worth it.
The Community of Comedy
One of the best things about stand-up, as Niek and I discussed, is the sense of community that comes with it. When you tell someone you're a comedian, there's an instant understanding of the hustle and grind that comes with the profession. Whether you're performing in front of five people or 500, there’s a shared respect among comedians for anyone who gets up on that stage.
We both reminisced about those early days when friends would show up to support our shows, only for them to taper off once they heard our sets one too many times. Now, we find ourselves performing mostly for fellow comedians, but that’s where real bonds are formed. Over time, those comedians become friends who understand the passion and the struggles of the comedy world.
Turning Pain into Punchlines
Both Niek and I agreed that comedy is often an outlet for dealing with personal pain. Niek shared that for him, comedy has been a way to cope with both physical and mental health challenges. As for me, I’ve used comedy to talk about my experiences as a blind person in a world not built for people with disabilities. While the experiences might be frustrating or painful at the time, getting to share them on stage and hearing people laugh brings a sense of relief and catharsis.
In fact, Niek has even turned some of his hospital visits into impromptu comedy shows, making nurses and patients laugh during long waits. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do this. Comedy isn’t just about telling jokes—it’s about connecting with people, sharing experiences, and making life a little easier to bear.
What’s Next?
As we wrapped up the interview, Niek shared his excitement about his upcoming stand-up special, Wow, So Inspirational, set to be released in December. It’s been a decade in the making, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward mental health and counseling for comedians. For Niek, it’s a chance to leave a lasting legacy while giving back to the comedy community that has supported him.
As for me, my comedy journey continues. With five kids at home and a busy life, I might not be on the road full-time just yet, but I’m always ready for the next show. Who knows, maybe one day, my kids will join me on stage too.
In the meantime, we’ll keep making people laugh, one show at a time.
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