UNC student Spence Whitman prepares for his first comedy show –

Attending university can open up new opportunities to achieve goals and pursue dreams. UNC student, Spence Whitmanmade his dreams possible by organizing his own stand-up comedy show for the first time, opening this month at the Varsity Theater.

Whitman’s set, “Problem solved” has been in the works since May and requires extensive preparation to book a venue, put together the ideal set and perfect its material. Whitman said that he spent the summer performing in front of other people, doing open mics and other events leading up to his own show.

The show draws inspiration from his life: things he observes in everyday situations and funny stories he wants to share. Whitman regularly He carries a journal with him, and when inspiration strikes him – either from a random thought or from observing something he finds funny – he quickly writes it down. This creative process is part of the creation of “Problem Solved”.

“I kind of think of it like an essay, or there’s an overarching theme,” he said. “And then there are various main paragraphs or points or supporting arguments about my topic – these would be stories, or anecdotes, or observations, or jokes, or impressions – or whatever they are. And I kind of frame it that way.”

Sophie Taylor, aUNC student and friend of Whitman, who will open “Problem Solved,” said that while she is nervous about her performance, she is also excited to perform on Whitman’s show.

“I think comedy is so incredible because it opens people up – when you laugh, you’re open to all kinds of new ideas and perspectives, and it’s just, I don’t know, it connects people,” Taylor said said. “And so I’m just excited to experience that, and I’m also excited that I’m doing it with Spence because I feel like we work so well together.”

Taylor and Whitman have both performed in front of live audiences before, but this is the first show Whitman has booked yourself. He said that he’s introducing new material on his show, which makes it a little nerve-wracking.

Whitman’s first time doing stand-up was his freshman year at UNC. When He auditioned for False Profits, a comedy group at UNC of which he is a current member. His audition had to last three to five minutes, which he wasn’t used to at the time.