You REALLY ought to know Adam Wade
Adam Wade is a 20-time Story Slam champion at The Moth and the creator of the #1 bestselling Audible Original audio memoir, You Ought to Know Adam Wade. His debut storytelling/comedy album, Adam Wade: The Human Comedy, was enthusiastically lauded in Sarah Larson’s profile of Adam in The New Yorker, while his second album, Adam Wade Live at The Magnet Theater, quickly shot up to #2 on the Billboard Charts.
A fixture in the New York City storytelling and comedy scenes for over twenty years, Adam’s monthly storytelling show at Under St. Marks Theatre has been running since 2010 and has been a New York Times, CBS News, and Time Out NY Critic’s Pick. He has toured across North America with The Moth Main Stage, appeared multiple times on The Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Podcast, and PBS’s Stories from the Stage.
He has appeared on-camera in HBO’s Girls, Inside Amy Schumer, and ESPN’s Classic Now.
What were you like as a teen?
Shy.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I was a waiter at Virgil’s Barbecue in New York City.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
My Audible Original audiobook, You Ought to Know Adam Wade.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Yes. I deal with them using empathy and compassion.
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Be you.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
Bringer shows (where comedians are required to bring paying audience members to get stage time) are the way to the top.
How has being funny helped you in your life, either recently or when you were younger?
Being funny has helped keep me positive.
What specific things should a novice comedy writer do to shape their voice?
Listen better.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into the comedy world?
Colin Quinn.
Do you have a writing routine?
I try to write in the morning for one hour every day.
What is your go-to show or movie when you’ve had a bad day?
The Larry Sanders Show and Cheers.
What single word always cracks you up?
Donuts.
