On Thursday, March 16, Lancer Productions brought in two comedians to Wygal auditorium for students' entertainment. Kristen Sivills was the opening act before introducing her friend and coworker, Leonard Ouzts to the stage.
“We met at the funny bone,” said Ouzts. “She was the only person that didn’t get mad when I told them the truth, been friends ever since.”
The show started with Sivills talking about her life as a single mom with her daughter, explaining to the audience how hard life was after moving out from her parents’ house; telling the audience about comedy, life and Ouzts.
“I did a whole bunch of stuff, was only good at this,” said Sivills.
After Sivills brought Ouzts to the stage and introductions were made, he started to ask audience members for their name and major to get the crowd to participate. The interaction went from asking names to asking the students about their beliefs and thoughts about politics and marijuana.
“I’m 24, and I tell jokes, I’m not trying to push anything on to anyone,” said Ouzts.
When the jokes started with Outzts, he admitted to the crowd that he was high and proceeded to tell a few jokes about marijuana. With that, he also explained how marijuana is a plant and there have been studies to show the positive effects it has had for people.
“It was funny at some points but at some points it was too much,” said exercise science senior Matthew Finn. “I think the opening was better.”
Ouzts started his comedic career while attending Virginia State University, where he would walk around campus practicing his jokes. He said that it began with his performance in the talent show that he did for one of the fraternities on campus. After not completing the spring semester of his freshman year, Ouzts didn’t go back to school, deciding that he wanted to do something else with his life.
“He didn’t ask for much for his performance, ‘just a mic and a stage,’” said sophomore, Coleby Burford, Elementary Education Major.
Lancer Productions usually goes to the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), to find the speakers that come for student entertainment nights. Other times agencies are searched online to find comedians, poets, and other speakers.
Ouzts has performed at close to 20 other universities, telling students about the world and how it can be. With Longwood's campus and student body, it seemed to leave an impression on both comedians, with Ouzts saying how parts of it reminded him of home but also didn’t.
“So far, my favorite show has been University of South Florida, because it was winter time and the weather was warm,” said Ouzts. “The students were smart and came to actually listen to jokes.”
The show ended with Ouzts knowing everyone’s name and major in the audience. People stood up to shake his hand and also to take pictures with both comedians. Ouzts said that he had fun, loved the energy of the crowd and thought the students were really smart.
