by Will Thomas
Ken was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has been performing standup for six years now, and has performed at the Laugh Factory in Chicago and other various spots in Virginia and Montana. Has also been featured on the big screen in films like Contagion as well as television shows like The Playboy Club, Boss, Chicago P. D. and Chicago Med.
Hi Ken. I see that you and I share a similar outlook on some things. What are your feelings on potato salad?
My feelings are potato salad is not a salad. My salads have to be green. And if I eat potato salad, my walls will be green... and I will need a hose.
That's fair, ha! Already throwing that humor out. So Ken, how has comedy helped you out here in Montana?
Doing comedy in Montana has been the most amazing experience, which totally shocked me. I would never have guessed that. I’ve learned a lot about tightening my sets and different approaches to attack the stage. Montana is making me a comedian’s comedian.
Great! It's always a great feeling to have that kind of support. Speaking of, you're a married man, correct?
Almost. I’m engaged. I get married in October. So I don’t have a ball and chain just yet. Right now it’s just the ball.
Heh. How did you two meet?
Well... I could give you the long version which goes all the way back to explaining my mother’s journey from Jamaica to Montana to Chicago...or just make a long story short and say she’s my sister’s best friend and I met her when I visited Billings for the first time and I Facebook stalked my way into love
It's ok; we'll save the full version for the full expose. Does she ever have input on your material?
Unintentionally, yes. Things that she says and does will sometimes creep into my material... and then she finds out once I’m on stage. I’m efficient at blindsiding her.
Haha. Nothing more satisfying than catching her off guard. So now, the serious question. What super power would you want?
Man...that’s a tough one. There are so many dope powers to choose from. But if I had to choose just one, it would be time travel. There are certain decisions that people have made in the past few centuries that have affected mankind in a negative way and I would like to travel to those exact moments in time and smack the shit out of them before they happen so they won’t happen. That would be “super.”
Hahaha. A sound reasoning. I can think of a few moments as well. So, this is your first Dreyfest? Any words you wish to impart on the audience before the show on August 11th?
Yes. “I’m Black...I’m funny...I’m unapologetic and if you’re easily offended, you’re gonna be very uncomfortable. Also, Wakanda forever!”
Ha! Proud words! Well, Dreyfest is excited for you in August. See you then!
