Today@Sam Article

SHSU To Showcase Wayanses, Pharaoh For Comedy Event

Aug. 6, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

Actors and standup comedians Damon Wayans Sr., Damon Wayans Jr., and Jay Pharaoh will help welcome Sam Houston State University students and returning students to campus on Aug. 24 for the annual Kat Comedy Showcase.

Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum doors will open at 7 p.m., and the show will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are free for SHSU students beginning Aug. 12 and will be available by phone at 936.294.3021 or at Johnson Coliseum Box Office No. 2.

“We choose these comedians because we felt bringing in part of the Wayans family would add a different dynamic than what we have seen in past shows,” said Steven Begnaud, program coordinator for SHSU’s Department of Student Activities. “Jay Pharaoh is such a talented impressionist, and we have not seen that before at Sam Houston State.

“I believe his type of comedy will go over well with our students,” he said. “The show is hyped to sell out quickly, so we encourage students to get their tickets as soon as they can.”

Known throughout the world for his no-holds-barred comedic genius, Damon Wayans Sr., served as co-creator and executive producer of the hit ABC series “My Wife and Kids” through its five seasons, which wrapped in 2005. 

He also is most fondly remembered for his three seasons as writer and co-star on the Emmy Award-winning series “In Living Color,” for which he created sketch characters and earned two personal Emmy nominations.

In addition, Wayans has enjoyed tremendous success in stand-up. After starting his career in 1982 touring the comedy club circuit, he landed a role as a featured player on the famed NBC series “Saturday Night Live” and went on to star in his own critically acclaimed HBO series “One Night Stand,” “The Last Stand,” “Still Standing” and “WayOut.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, his son Damon Wayans Jr. currently stars as “Coach” on the FOX hit comedy series “New Girl” and recently starred as “Brad” on the ABC comedy “Happy Endings.”

Wayans’s career began eight years ago, at the age of 20, when he served as a comedy writer on his dad’s show “My Wife and Kids” and appeared in various episodes. In 2005, he further followed in his father’s comedic footsteps when Wayans braved the world of stand-up under the pseudonym Kyle Green. 

Finally, Pharaoh is an actor, stand-up comedian, impressionist, rapper, and voice actor who is currently in his fifth season of “SNL,” where Pharaoh has made a name for himself for his stellar impressions of President Barack Obama, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington, Kanye West, and many others.

Pharaoh recently shot flashy roles in “Ride Along,” opposite Kevin Hart and Ice Cube; “Get A Job,” directed by Dylan Kidd; and Chris Rock’s “Top Five.”

Students can receive up to two free tickets with an active Bearkat OneCard, and public tickets, which will be available on Aug. 17, will be sold for $20 each.

SHSU’s Comedy Showcase, an event closely related to Sammypalooza, is in its fifth installment.

For more information, contact the Student Activities Department at 936.294.3861 or visit 
facebook.com/shsustudentactivities.

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