We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tommy Cook. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tommy below.

Hi Tommy, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

My passion for the performing arts started at a very young age; my family introduced me to the power of entertainment and music. Growing up, my sister Emily and I would spend extended periods with our Nana and Papa, travel the country mainly by Cadaliac, and listen to musical theatre, mostly Rodgers and Hammerstein. As time passed and the years progressed, I became interested in getting onstage under the bright lights, with the audience coming to witness the magic of a live show.

The learning process develops by staying consistent. Throughout the years, I’ve taken other ventures and seen if they are more interesting to me but returned to what I have always loved since I was a child. For example, my first Stand-up Comedy performance was in the 6th grade (roughly the year 2000), and I only returned to that specific realm of performing arts until mid-2023, a twenty-three-year break. I realize now that those branchoffs in life prepared me for these present-day moments.

The most essential skills are believing in yourself, reminding yourself to collaborate, and not worrying about competition. The ego tends to get involved anytime we are determined to achieve a long-term or short-term goal. It is important to humble ourselves, do our research, and remind ourselves why we started in the first place.

The most common obstacle is comparing myself to others, whether it’s witnessing someone’s beautiful talents, not believing in my potential, or taking someone’s criticism to heart and stopping because of their perspective. Those are moments we can grow from if we can respect the craft and ourselves enough. Like saying to ourselves, I am enough; I’m on the right path and will succeed. However, that internal response may be different. We have to make progress and learn more.

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?

My name is Tommy Cook, and I’m a performing artist in Ypsilanti, Michigan. My background in the performing arts primarily includes live music and musical theatre. Last year, I dove into the Michigan stand-up comedy scene, an incredible network of which I feel super fortunate to be a part. Outside of Michigan in February, I broke a Guinness World Record for the Longest Continuous Comedy Show with Brickys Comedy Club in Miamisburg, Ohio, with over 200 other comedians from primarily the Midwest. I’ve been traveling mainly across Michigan and making connections in the comedy realm; I also help co-produce a weekly open mic in Ypsilanti with Lisa Green under Depot Town Comedy. DTC hosts various shows throughout the year, and who knows what it will become.

I decided to get into stand-up in the Spring of 2023; I saw a show at Ziggys, a downtown Ypsilanti music venue that included DJs and comedy that evening; it was not your typical event, but it worked. The show left me so inspired that I wanted to find a way to get on that stage outside of my standard musical theatre & live music background. I contacted one of the comedians and longtime friend, Patty Rooney, about how to get involved, and since then, I’ve been consistent with my writing and performing. I’ve taken classes at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Club, Planet Ant Theatre, and workshops with various mentors in the comedy realm.

My goal is to infuse music and comedy together, allowing me to perform at venues that don’t typically have comedians or clubs that don’t usually have musicians. With my enthusiastic nature, I want to collaborate with other artists, find other open-minded performers, and rediscover the fun of it, embracing our inner child.

Find me as Tommycooklol on all social media platforms!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative has to be the joy it brings me and others. I’ve struggled in the past when my idea of success was fitting into the social norms of society, where we all own property, have our own families, or have fortunes, possessions, and physically beautiful partners. None of those bring me happiness, though as glamorous as they appear. I need to share my skills in music or performing to be complete. It can be as simple as coming home at lunch and playing my guitar for as little as fifteen minutes or as involved as performing in front of a sold-out show while being on a roll the entire experience. Seeing how far I have come and what the future holds for myself and those who witness my passion is a success.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

If we want to believe it or not, social media is KEY to growth in networking and brand. My handle, Tommycooklol, on all platforms makes it easy for people to find me on whatever app they prefer. I’ve already gone through over 600 stickers, which shows the style and how people would instead take one over a business card. I must inform my followers of upcoming performances and hobbies that interest me. I could be more active on all platforms, but I’m most familiar with Instagram. I’m grateful that my Communication skills can help improve my social media presence. Stay active, and don’t be afraid to support others!

Lastly, don’t be afraid to share your unique voice. That’s what makes us all original; in my experience, that is our best quality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tommycooklol.carrd.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommycooklol/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomm.koch.7
• Twitter: https://x.com/tommycooklol
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TommyCooklol

Image Credits

Libby O’Clair, Dylan Milkins & David Schamberger. Logo created by Brianna Hamm.