Pauly CasillasPauly Casillas got his start in comedy by launching an extremely popular Gary Busey parody account on Twitter that grew to over 200,000 followers. He then decided to try his hand at stand-up, performing on open mic night at Laffs Comedy Caffe in 2011. Since then, he’s performed all across the country and opened for many of today’s top comics, including Tom Segura and Russell Peters. He currently hosts the improvisational standup show The Switch every month at The Hut on Fourth Avenue. This Friday–Sunday, he’s co-headlining five shows at Laffs.
Pauly Casillas @ Laffs Comedy Caffe
January 12th-14th, $12.50-$17.50
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We asked Pauly about his comedic influences, his favorite places to perform in Tucson, and more.
Tucson Comedy: When you started writing on Twitter, did you have any plans to start performing?
Pauly Casillas: No. I’ve alway been funny and been able to tell a good story though. Once I got a desk job, I was bored and then I started writing random thoughts on Twitter and it just took off. A lot of people suggested standup. I grew up watching ComicView and the show Martin and You So Crazy, but I wanted to be a rapper first. This is kind of like rapping but it’s harder. You can’t rely on music but it’s still a single man performance.
Tucson Comedy: So did you put out any music?
Pauly Casillas: Yeah, I was on KRQ. When I was in high school they had the Rap Attack. You’d rap about your high school and if you got the most votes they’d bring you on to host it. We were on for two months straight. Then I did a little album with my friend. Eventually this [comedy] fell in my lap a couple years later.
Tucson Comedy: Did you feel extra pressure when you started standup since you were already having some success online?
Pauly Casillas: I put enough pressure on myself to keep me on my toes, but not enough that it stressed me out. At the end of the day, I’ve been in way more tense situations than just talking to people. It could always be worse. Twitter definitely gave me a head start though. Pretty early on, I was getting spots in Phoenix from comedians that would see the number of followers I had. I almost skipped the whole open mic thing and just started opening.
Tucson Comedy: What’s your favorite place to perform in Tucson?
Pauly Casillas: I like anywhere that there’s not supposed to be a comedy show and you do well. Like outside of No Anchovies and Frog & Firkin, we had a show there. The back patio at Mr Heads, where maybe half the crowd is there for comedy. It’s more pressure but the reward is so much better. To kill in a room like that and have all their attention when you first didn’t have it all. It lets me know I can do this anywhere, anytime.
Tucson Comedy: What differences do you notice between Tucson and Phoenix audiences?
Pauly Casillas: Tucson is a lot more open-minded. It’s very conservative up in Phoenix. It gets quiet around politics. You can feel the difference. Tucson is more artistic, especially around 4th Avenue. They appreciate the art more. I talk about myself a lot, and up there–especially in Scottsdale–I don’t think they can relate to anything I talk about. Like being broke. Being from the south side of Tucson. Stuff like that.
Tucson Comedy: How do you balance being married and raising a family with pursuing comedy?
Pauly Casillas: I just don’t pursue comedy as heavily. If I didn’t have a family I’d be in L.A. right now. From here I just reach out as best I can and see what falls in my lap. You put yourself out there enough, someone’s gonna book you. Plus they hear about you from someone else. After LA falls in the ocean, Phoenix is gonna be the new Hollywood anyway.
Tucson Comedy: Who are your main influences?
Pauly Casillas: Martin Lawrence. A lot of 90s BET ComicView and Apollo comics. And then Patrice O’Neal. What’s funny is, I didn’t realize how much Patrice influenced me until I was on a show where you do a different comic’s bit. I don’t really like to listen to other comedians, I don’t want to absorb their style subconsciously. But doing that show I realized I had like a cadence similar to Patrice at that time. But you start off sounding like who you like.
Tucson Comedy: What are your favorite things to do in Tucson for fun?
Pauly Casillas: I love golfing. People come here to golf from all over. We’ve got nationally-renowned courses. And I love camping. I wasn’t a big camper when I was growing up, but I love camping now. Just being out in nature. And hiking too. Tucson is beautiful for that.
Tucson Comedy: What advice do you have for others trying to get started in stand-up?
Pauly Casillas: Well, I feel there’s a bubble coming. So unless you plan on being in it for 10+ years, don’t even start now. That’s when you’re supposed to be really firing on all cylinders. Find what’s funny and listen to other people. Take advice as much as possible. Don’t even call yourself a comedian until your fifth year. Just be humble about it. Expect that you’re gonna do the worst but try to do your best. Don’t be delusional. Judge from the laughter.
