Comedian Eliot Chang has made appearances on E!’s “Chelsea Lately” and Showtime’s “Minority Report,” and today he will bring his act to Ball State.
The Asian American Student Association will start its month of events with Chang. Chang performs at 7 tonight in Pruis Hall.
Chang is most known for his performances on “Comedy Central Presents.” The program showcases new comedic talent. His half hour special was voted No. 2 in Comedy Central’s Stand Up Showdown 2011.
“In a comedic landscape that is often wrought with sarcasm, self deprecation and cynicism, I have to say that Eliot Chang is a welcome relief,” Vice President of Talent at Comedy Central JoAnn Grigioni said. “His point of view is honest and real, yet Eliot’s approach is marked by a fun positive energy that is genuine and refreshing.”
Chang stops at Ball State for his “Easily Excited” college comedy tour. The comedian contacted Ball State directly.
“I was thrilled,” Kate Link, graduate assistant for AASA, said. “I thought it was awesome that he wanted to come to Ball State. I thought he was a great comedian. To have someone so funny to come here, it really speaks to Ball State’s reputation. People want to work with us.”
“I was really excited,” AASA Treasurer Ashley Nakata said. “This is exactly what we were looking for. He seems like he is really interested in working for us.”
Expectations are high for Chang’s performance. Nakata, along with other members, said she thinks highly of Chang.
“I think he is really dynamic, and he will bring about Asian issues,” Link said. “I think it will be great to bring an Asian perspective.”
After the performance, Chang will have a question and answer session about the representation and stereotypes of Asian Americans in American media.
“I want to see how he feels about Asian American’s representation whether it’s positive or negative,” Romelle Taday, AASA president, said.
AASA had a comedian perform last year, but attendance was low. This year it aims to change that by working with other cultural organizations and through social media hubs such as Twitter and Facebook.
“The only reason I knew about last year’s comedian was because I attended meetings,” Nakata said. “I feel like the people that did not go to meetings did not know about [the event]. We really put a lot of effort into posting the flyer any where we could.”
The event is also to increase AASA exposure to students, Link said.
“Hopefully Chang can help get more [people] interested in AASA: help put our name out there, let people get aware of what we do in the organization, let them know it’s a group you should want to get involved in,” Link said.
Taday said the Comedy Central comedian will cross racial barriers.
“Regardless of racial identity, gender identity and orientation, the audience can relate to him and enjoy it,” Taday said. “We didn’t get him because he was Asian, [but] because he can relate to everybody.”
The event is free and open to the public. People 17 and under are discouraged to attend the event due to its content.
