For George Mason University student Jared Traggic, an applied computer science major, getting involved in the Washington, D.C., stand-up comedy scene came with an unexpected lesson: Being a comedian in Northern Virginia involves an awful lot of commuting.
Wanting to bring comedy to the suburbs and make it accessible to his fellow students, the comedy group he co-founded earlier this year, Not Quite Laughs, is hosting a free comedy show on Thursday, August 27th at Mackenzie’s Tunes and Tonics in Fairfax. Traggic, who began performing stand-up nearly a year ago, said, “If this gets enough seats in the room, it will be a monthly thing while school’s in session.”
The idea grew partly from Traggic’s own experience breaking into stand-up. His first open mic was far removed from the bright lights of a major comedy club. “I did my first open mic in the basement of a bodega, and it was a room full of other comedians,” he said.
Since then, he has become part of the D.C. comedy community, meeting performers from across the region and developing his own material. Entertainment runs in the family; Traggic grew up around performing arts through his mother, who was involved in singing, acting, and dancing, while his uncle, Frank Trigg, is a UFC Hall of Fame member. Traggic's own eclectic background includes acting and dancing, competitive video gaming, martial arts, and even being scouted for a K-pop group.
But his academic path led him toward STEM. “I prefer numbers because they’re consistent,” he said. “Two plus two is always going to equal four. People are not that consistent.”
Regarding the comedic scene in Fairfax, Traggic surveyed fellow students last semester and found that many were interested in live comedy but reluctant to travel into Washington and pay typical comedy-club ticket prices. But Mackenzie’s - owned by a George Mason alum - offers an especially convenient location. The restaurant and live-music venue is in Old Town Fairfax, within walking distance of student housing near George Mason.
Traggic sees live comedy as a way of building connections beyond campus. His previous community involvement includes work with Rotary and the Boys and Girls Club, experiences that convinced him people need more opportunities to gather together.
“The point is to work on community,” Traggic said. “A lot of people do need to laugh.” For George Mason students, the pitch is far from tragic: Live local comedy, a short trip from campus, and no ticket required.