Readers’ pick: Will Roberts
Margaret Korinek has a thing for mocking men on scooters, a regular bit in one of her frequent stand-up comedy performances.
Korinek, a senior majoring in political communication, has been a fixture of GW’s comedy scene since her first year through GW-TV, Comedy Nights and her headliner shows at Tonic alongside fellow student comedian Will Roberts and magician and GW alum Max Davidson.
Korinek said she got her start in comedy when she was 15 in her hometown of Chicago, participating in workshops and improv classes through The Second City, a comedy group. She said as a teenager she had to put comedy on the “backburner” as many clubs did not allow performers under the age of 21.
“It was something that I couldn’t pursue when I was a teenager,” she said. “But it was always something that I liked and that I thought, ‘Maybe one day.’”
She said when she came to GW, her academic interest in broadcast journalism and communication inspired her to join GW-TV and its sketch comedy show, District Debrief. She said through Debrief, she participated in informal open mic events hosted by members which reignited her passion for stand-up comedy.
In the fall of 2022, Korinek launched Comedy Nights, a student group that holds regular stand-up performances on campus. Korinek said before the group’s creation, there was not a formal place on campus for students to perform stand-up comedy or connect with other comedians at GW.
“I wanted to create an org that provided stand-up comedy shows on campus, that would be one part of it, but then also foster a community where people could work together,” Korinek said.
Korinek said she designed Comedy Nights, which she affectionately calls her “baby,” for students with all levels of experience because she wanted to allow them to try “something new.” She said students without comedy experience can start by participating in open mic performances hosted by the organization and work their way up to recurring semester act status, seasoned comedians who feature at major showcases. As executive director, Korinek said she coaches new comedians as they prepare for their first performances.
“We put a lot of work into coaching our comedians, making sure that they are ready before they go on stage,” Korinek said.
Now an official student organization, as of fall 2023, the group hosts three open mics and two showcases per semester, attracting audiences of nearly 200 students and filling spaces like Lisner Downstage and Betts Theater. Korinek said about 40 student comedians, on average, sign up to perform in shows throughout the year.
When she started Comedy Nights, Korinek said it was a “one-man show” with her handling everything from booking venues to advertising. She said after becoming a student organization and creating an executive board, she no longer has to “fight” to be taken seriously.
Beyond the Foggy Bottom bubble, Korinek said she also features in the D.C. comedy scene, performing gigs in comedy clubs, like DC Comedy Loft. She said she is also taking her creative influence with her and is currently working on a project, “District of Comedy,” to produce happy hour and brunch comedy shows across the District.
Korinek said through the laughs of her comedy shows, she’s also battled more than her fair share of sexist comments and “discrimination” from fellow comedians and audience members. She said with support from her friends and the Comedy Nights community, she learned to shift her mindset away from the negativity and approach comedy from a more “healthy” place.
“My comedy can be vulnerable and where I’m talking about some of the hardest parts that I’ve gone through,” Korinek said. “I want people to know that I’m doing well and I feel like I’m getting my flowers now.”
