Matt Banwart is Ready for Battle

August 25, 2024

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Matt Banwart

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In this episode of Com­e­dy Wham Presents, host Valerie sits down with come­di­an Matt Ban­wart, a recent trans­plant to Austin’s com­e­dy scene. The inter­view mean­ders through Ban­wart’s jour­ney from improv-obsessed high school­er in Iowa to found­ing Roast Bat­tle Chica­go and even­tu­al­ly land­ing in Austin.

On his college obsession with improv comedy

Banwart loved the creativity of the group minds coming together...until they tried to make "solo improv" happen.

I was such an improv nerd in col­lege. I read every improv book, and I would, like, have the uni­ver­si­ty buy more.
Matt Banwart
On comedy and...sports?

Banwart explains his newfound interest in sports, drawing parallels between the natural narratives found in sports and the storytelling aspect of comedy.

I think sports is like an incred­i­ble ves­sel for…really organ­ic storytelling
Matt Banwart
On working at the "jerk store"

Banwart recalls his early days as a funny kid, remembering the frustration of always thinking of the perfect witty response hours too late. (For those that didn't follow Seinfeld (not that there's anything wrong with that!), here you go.)

5 hours lat­er, I’m like, ​‘oh, that would have been the best response!’
Matt Banwart
On founding Roast Battle

Banwart reflects on the joys of producing Roast Battle Chicago, putting the spotlight on other comedians, and building something bigger than himself.

I loved help­ing oth­er peo­ple, …giv­ing oth­er peo­ple the platform
Matt Banwart
On yours truly

Fourth wall, broken.

Richard, we love you.
Matt Banwart
Find out more

Fol­low Matt 

Matt can be seen and heard:

  • Ulti­mate Com­e­dy Com­pe­ti­tion — upcom­ing dates on Mat­t’s website
    • August 28, 2024 — Ball­room @ Spiderhouse
    • Sep­tem­ber 12, 2024 — Vul­can Gas Company
    • Octo­ber 10, 2024 — Vul­can Gas Company
  • Hard­ly Work­ing Podcast
  • Town Kid — Debut Com­e­dy Album
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