We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Scrocca a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joe, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Not yet but most of the shows I am getting are now paid shows so hopefully by next year (2025) this will be a full time, financially sustainable career. I started doing stand up in December 2023. My first paid gig ($10.00) was February 2024. Most of my paid shows are $40.00 to $100.00. Hoping to bump that to a firm $250.00 per show by the end of this year. I think the process has been moving at a much faster pace than I could have ever expected so no to the last question.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I literally woke up one morning in December 2023 and decided to stop dating crazy women and to do something fun so I chose stand up comedy. I have no experience in comedy, acting or any other performing art. I just got up and did it. I am writing this on 8/03/2024 so I am less than 8 months in to my stand up career. I have performed over 50 shows, had 3 spots on the 2024 Meadowlands Comey Festival, opened a show for Steve Trevino in PA to over 800 people and I just was contacted by a tv/film producer who has hired me for a short movie (never had an idea about acting but I guess it comes with the territory). As far as discipline stand up comedy, for me, is a lot of work. I try new bits and write, re write, perform, re write until the bit is timed right, gets the laughs I want it to get and then it becomes a permanent part of my act. I am constantly practicing my material and trying to perfect my skills. As far as what sets me apart from others is that I literally hit the ground running. I have performed in venues that it takes comic years to get invited to (if ever), I have been interviewed on numerous podcasts and publications. I am proud of the recognition that I receive from other comedians, bookers but primarily from the audience.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My very first show was an open mic in Toms River NJ. I had never done stand up before. I worked out the jitters and I was ready to go. I had no idea this venue was a biker bar and my very first audience was a notorious NJ motorcycle club. I will tell you it was scary but I got through it and actually have a bit about the show.
Two months in to standup I was invited to do a show at Rodneys in NYC (formerly Dangerfields). By rights a New York City audience should have ripped me to shreds. The show was not only fun but I literally owned a New York City crowd for 7 minutes having them laugh pretty much from start to finish during my set.
I think these 2 stories have given me more confidence and have given me the resilience to continue doing stand up.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I have always loved to make people laugh. When I do my set and I know that audience laughed and enjoyed my set it makes me feel good. But after shows when people come up to me and tell me they really needed a good laugh due to stress in their lives it makes me feel like I actually have a purpose aside from just having fun and telling funny stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scroccaentertainmentgroup.com
- Instagram: joe_scrocca_comedy
- Facebook: joescroccacomedy
- Linkedin: josephscrocca
- Youtube: joescroccacomedy
Image Credits
Joe Scrocca