Meet Dean Lewis: Stand up Comic & Comedy Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dean Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dean, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve had a great career as a stand up comic and part of the reason for that is I was lucky enough to have amazing mentors. Established comics taught me the secrets of how to write and perform in a way that resonated with audiences. I’ve worked with comics who wanted to be successful, but they had no method or technique. Passing on what I learned gave them immediate results; this verified to me that comedy can be taught. The Stand up Workshop developed from there. I love good comedy and I know the workshop has helped hundreds of comics become better. Many have gone on to appearing on Comedy Central, Showtime, Conan, HBO and Netflix. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a stand up comic. It’s the only art that really took me on a creative quest. As early as 5 years old, I was captivated by the idea of making strangers laugh while often delivering a great truth. I grew ion listening to Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor and George Carlin. It seemed that comics had a way of looking at life from this crazy point of view. That’s how I always saw life and it was why I was always a bit of an outcast. Not going with the common way was not a great move as far as making friends or being popular. BUT I did enjoy being in the same world as my comic heroes. I also wanted to learn the method behind the madness and it’s been a lifetime goal to figure out how comedy and comics work. Some of it can’t be explained or duplicated, but most of it can and learning the techniques and using them to build a career is incredibly satisfying. And sharing the content in my workshops is also a fantastic thrill. The joy of taking a person who loves comedy and then mentoring them in the proper ways to get great quickly is something which can’t be matched!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Keep in mind this would be a to do list once the pandemic is over! Sunday would start on McKinney Avenue. Probably breakfast at Breadwinners then a trip on the trolley along with stops at interesting shops or places for a photo op. This is such a nostalgic part of Dallas and there’s not only lots of architectural beauty but just the people watching itself is unmatched! Monday would be the tourist spots. Dealy Plaza, Dallas Museum of Art and The Dallas Arboretum. Dinner at Campisi’s; top notch Italian food and the best atmosphere around! Tuesday would be 1 more Dallas hotspot like The Perot Museum. Then off to the Fort Worth Stockyards and the Ft Worth Zoo; just to show why Dallas AND Ft Worth are awesome. Wednesday would be a day to rest! Probably over doing it the last couple days. So time to slow it down and maybe just visit relaxing places. Pack a lunch and have a laid back day at White Rock Lake. The sunsets there are awesome! Spend Thursday shopping. Galleria Mall not only has a lot of interesting stores but the food court and restaurants offer lots of variety. Friday is all about getting ready to go out. Maybe bar hopping on lower Greenville or visiting the It’ll Do Club. If you’re not into loud music I highly recommend going to see Four Day Weekend in Dallas or Ft Worth. Hands down the BEST improv/comedy group and nothing can beat seeing a MasterClass in how to do comedy. Saturday is for waking up late and having an easy day. Visiting Klyde Warren Park then head to Trinity Groves for a numerous selection of lunch options. If there’s a great concert or sporting event (as there often will be in DFW) nothing beats the rush of a concert or letting off steam yelling for your preferred team. But honestly, being a comic my big suggestion is the Addison or Arlington Improv. They always book top notch comics and their kitchens are solid! Laughing it up with a fantastic comic at THE premiere comedy club is the perfect way to end your week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Britainy Goss. She’s a fantastic part of the DFW comedy scene. She sets up great comedy shows and organized The Plano Comedy Festival; the best comedy festival I’ve seen in a long time and definitely the one that set the bar a lot how to do a festival effectively during a pandemic. Plus she’s a great comic and super kind human.

Website: deanlewiscomedy.com
Other: If you want info about the Online Stand up Workshop, you can reach me at dean@deanlewiscomedy.com. In the 6 classes you’ll develop an original killer act and once the pandemic is over, you’ll get to perform at The Addison Improv!

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