“I started as professional heckler,” says comedian Donnell Rawlings when asked about how he got into stand-up. “I was working at a grocery chain as a security guard.” Co-workers invited him to go to a comedy club. “I started heckling the comedians on stage and I started becoming pretty popular as a heckler. The club owner didn’t really appreciate it too much and he challenged me to go on stage, so I did. I lit it up, and haven’t looked back since.”
On stage Rawlings talks about his life, while also dabbling in current events. The latter, he says, offers a unique challenge. “It really forces you to keep your comedy fresh,” he explains. “Certain topics in politics will always be funny. You can probably do George Bush jokes forever and ever, but with current events everything changes so fast it forces you to change.”
When he’s not on stage, Rawlings can easily be entertained by passersby. “I’m a people watcher,” he says. “I could go outside and just sit on a park bench and watch how they interact with each other. I think the average person on the street is funnier than most stand-up comics.”
Donnell Rawlings performs at Go Bananas in Montgomery Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $8-$12 ($4 Thursday with college/military ID, $4 Sunday-bar and restaurant worker appreciation).
Get show and club details here.
