If you peered into the Edgerton Theatre on the night of April 25, you would have seen the smiling faces and squinting eyes of laughing students. The room was dark, the stage was bright and the show had just begun.
Organized by Sacred Heart University’s Student Events Team (SET), the event featured comedian Derrick Knopsnyder, who performed an hour-long live show for Sacred Heart students. All audience members were socially distanced in their respective seating arrangements.
“I’ve been here to Sacred Heart three times before and it’s a great campus,” said Knopsnyder. “The students are always super friendly and it’s great to be here when it’s not negative 40 degrees.”
According to Neon Entertainment, Knopsnyder started doing stand up comedy after his first year of college at the age of 19. Since then, “Derrick has become one of the fastest rising comedians in Pittsburgh, and is the youngest comedian to be a regular feature act at his home club, the Pittsburgh Improv.”
“I always love a good comedian, and Derrick Knopsnyder was hysterical. I was glad we were able to get him back to campus,” said Nicholas Piselli, Office of the Student Union Graduate Assistant. “He was here a few years ago and I enjoyed him, so seeing him again was a treat.”
According to Talent Network Inc., “Derrick uses his boyish charm and quick wit to connect with audiences, but it’s his awkwardness that keeps them laughing and makes him a fan favorite wherever and whenever he hits the stage.”
“He would joke around with us based off of what he thought each of us would find funny,” said sophomore Paige Hall. “I think that experience made it more fun for everyone. Everyone was super happy when they left and laughed the whole way home.”
The show started with Knopsnyder warming up the crowd by asking for students’ names and majors. From there, the audience chuckled along as they were lightly laughed at in good fun.
Knopsnyder then went on to cover topics like relationships, drinking, college myths and the life of a McDonald’s employee. The show ended with students having the option to come up to the comedian and talk one-on-one before taking home a custom mask.
According to Knopsnyder’s personal promotional website, DKComeddy.com, Knopsnyder frequently performs at other universities, including Carlow University in Pennsylvania and Washington College in Maryland.
Sacred Heart students commented on how they enjoyed the smaller show on campus in comparison to a larger event.
“I liked the experience of the comedian because it was very personal. Everyone got spoken to, and it was really fun because he was able to cater to our specific senses of humor,” said Hall.
According to Neon Entertainment, Knopsnyder has previously received “the Stand Up To Cancer Comedy Competition in Huntington, W.Va., and was most recently named a finalist at the Cleveland Comedy Festival.”
“I think the most important thing that you can take away from life is to never take yourself too seriously and never take too many serious selfies,” said Knopsnyder.
