2008 Woodie Awards
New York comedian Ahdoot warms up Winter Carnival
Aylie Baker
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Features
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Dan Ahdoot, a comedian hailing from New York City, had students howling during his two performances last Friday night, Feb. 24, in McCullough's social space. His jokes - ranging from digs at Public Safety to the absurdity of common stereotypes - provided a fresh, hilarious routine that got rave reviews from many in the audience.
Ahdoot's journey as an aspiring comedian is, in itself, a comical one. Adhoot attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., where he graduated with honors as a pre-med student. Somewhere between cramming for organic chemistry and delving into the college social life, Ahdoot developed a taste for big-time comedy. After performing for four years as a member of Hopkins' improv group, the Buttered Niblets, Ahdoot decided to try his hand at standup at Winchester's Comedy Club in Baltimore. It was here that the prospect of performing professionally presented itself as a viable alternative to medical school.
Following graduation, Ahdoot moved to New York City, where he searched for professional gigs while working as an advertising sales researcher for Comedy Central. Soon after, he helped found Gun Show, an improv group based on the network's "Upright Citizens Brigade" sketch show, and began free-lance writing for the program "Crank Yankers." Since going solo, Ahdoot has established himself as one of the country's most in-demand comedy performers, opening for top comedians like Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black and Jay Mohr.
So what brought him to rural Vermont and Middlebury College? Ahdoot is currently engaged in a national solo tour, and the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) was fortunate enough to snag him for the Winter Carnival festivities. "We wanted to do something different this year at Winter Carnival," said Diana Chiu '09, an MCAB chair. "This was the first comedy night we've had in a long time."
When it came to finding a comedian, some of the board members had recalled seeing snippets of Ahdoot's performance on the hit show "Last Comic Standing." "Dan Ahdoot immediately struck MCAB as someone different," said Chiu. Having recently graduated from college, he also exuded an appealing familiarity with college life. With the help of a co-sponsorship from Hillel, MCAB was able to bring Ahdoot to Middlebury. Their efforts yielded considerable applause. "He was a riot," said Liz Callow '08, "just what I needed."
Ahdoot's journey as an aspiring comedian is, in itself, a comical one. Adhoot attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., where he graduated with honors as a pre-med student. Somewhere between cramming for organic chemistry and delving into the college social life, Ahdoot developed a taste for big-time comedy. After performing for four years as a member of Hopkins' improv group, the Buttered Niblets, Ahdoot decided to try his hand at standup at Winchester's Comedy Club in Baltimore. It was here that the prospect of performing professionally presented itself as a viable alternative to medical school.
Following graduation, Ahdoot moved to New York City, where he searched for professional gigs while working as an advertising sales researcher for Comedy Central. Soon after, he helped found Gun Show, an improv group based on the network's "Upright Citizens Brigade" sketch show, and began free-lance writing for the program "Crank Yankers." Since going solo, Ahdoot has established himself as one of the country's most in-demand comedy performers, opening for top comedians like Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black and Jay Mohr.
So what brought him to rural Vermont and Middlebury College? Ahdoot is currently engaged in a national solo tour, and the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) was fortunate enough to snag him for the Winter Carnival festivities. "We wanted to do something different this year at Winter Carnival," said Diana Chiu '09, an MCAB chair. "This was the first comedy night we've had in a long time."
When it came to finding a comedian, some of the board members had recalled seeing snippets of Ahdoot's performance on the hit show "Last Comic Standing." "Dan Ahdoot immediately struck MCAB as someone different," said Chiu. Having recently graduated from college, he also exuded an appealing familiarity with college life. With the help of a co-sponsorship from Hillel, MCAB was able to bring Ahdoot to Middlebury. Their efforts yielded considerable applause. "He was a riot," said Liz Callow '08, "just what I needed."