We recently connected with Korey David and have shared our conversation below.
Korey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I wanted to start producing a storytelling show in addition to performing stand up comedy. A lot of my stand up revolved around storytelling, and there was a void in our comedy scene for a show that highlighted stories rather than the traditional set up, punch line stand up material. Most storytelling shows I’d ever seen were boring because they lacked a theme or a hook. It dawned on me stories about crime were inherently funny. So we hosted the first Interrogation: True Crime Stories in the taproom of a brewery back in 2022. Since then I’ve sold out shows around the country and even released a comedy special version of the show on YouTube.
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 stumbled my way into standup comedy. There was never a part of me growing up that thought, “Someday I’d love to be like Jerry Seinfeld.” I grew up in a Mormon family, so a career in stand up was never encouraged or considered. But like others, I was the funny one in my group of friends. The one that said what everyone was thinking, or at least what I was, and wasn’t afraid to say it for the sake of the laugh.
I loved writing satirical short stories and essays that I shared with friends but wanted more honest feedback on my work. I started going to the comedy open mic at the comedy club in my town to test my stories. I quickly realized that was a terrible idea telling stories on stage is very difficult. However, I caught the bug of live performance and I’ve been doing stand up ever since. I’d like to think that my storytelling skills have improved quite a bit over the past 7 years.
After moving to Denver to further my comedy career, I had the urge to produce a storytelling show in the city. Denver is a great place for stand up, but at the time the local scene wasn’t offering much other than traditional stand up. Since my material revolves around stories, I knew I wanted to start a storytelling show, but felt that it was important to have a theme or a hook. It dawned on me that crimes are inherently funny. Even if a story doesn’t have prepared punchlines every 30 seconds, there is something intriguing and silly about admitting to the dumb or reckless behavior we’ve done in the past. Interrogation: True Crime Stories was born and since its inception in the back of a brewery, it has grown into a nationally touring event and a successful YouTube comedy special.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want to create. That’s it. Create art that other people enjoy. There’s a thrill in offering something to others that brings them joy. I’d be lying if I failed to mention that I’m motivated by money. Like other artists, I want to perform and produce comedy full time. When people ask what my goals are, one of the answers I give the most is, “I want to make enough money to live comfortably and create cool things with my friends.” That’s the dream. To get paid to make people laugh and provide opportunities for my peers.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Bringing an idea to life and realizing that other people enjoy it. It’s hard enough to make things just for yourself. It’s even more difficult to create something that you feel represents your creativity and other people love it so much they’re willing to pack out a theater to see it. Getting a huge group of strangers to burst out laughing together is one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever known.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.koreydavid.com
- Instagram: @interrogationtruecrime
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interrogationtruecrime
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@InterrogationTrueCrime?si=_mkPUoaWBrAm7-a4