Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Provstgaard
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Me becoming a stand-up comedy producer simply started with an open mic night and a community that was and continues to be supportive. Because of Happy Valley Comedy and the friends I’ve made along the way I feel like the stand-up scene has changed and grown for the better.
I have always loved stand-up but only through the old CD’s of Jeff Foxworthy that my late grandfather shared with me in grade school, to falling asleep to the likes of the Hannibal Buress channel on Pandora Radio when I first moved out on my own after High School. I know, quite the jump. But I never considered how accessible stand-up comedy was Similar to my first experience to seeing an electric guitar when I was 9. “People can just buy those? They don’t have to be in a band?” The response to that has helped me understand how life works: “How do you think people get into bands?” I had day dreamed as much about getting in front of a small crowd and saying funny things but, how? Only years later would I discover a theater called ImprovBroadway in Provo and their open mic night. Once I did, I was hooked. I quickly learned that open mics are only the smallest first step to getting into that world. And getting to know the comedians I also learned how much funnier they were than I. The thought crossed my mind often on why such talented comedians like Adam Broud, Tanner Rahlf, Kendra Green, and why the were over looked by the systems or places that could make their dreams a reality. That’s what sparked it I guess. We could just do our own thing, start our own band. I had no idea that by doing so would spark an addiction that has stuck with me 3 years later.
Putting together a great line up of comedians, finding a great location, getting people to go to that location, then listen to those comedians – all for a laugh? And hopefully a lot of them. When the work is put in to hit all of those its a high that I’ve been chasing ever since. Happy Valley Comedy has been a passion project and an immense burden that I willingly throw on my back for the hope of satisfying that addiction, but also helping the community – my friends – grow more than we ever thought we could. I’m grateful to be where I am with the ones that matter. Wether thats comedian friends like Dennis High, Anna Tibbitts, Cheyenne Jackson. Or the amazing partnerships I’ve made with amazing organizations like The Downstairs club in Park City, Hustler Hollywood in West Valley, and the Hive Collaborative in Provo. Not to mention continuing to be the representative for the whole state of Utah for Don’t Tell Comedy which is a massive production that took a chance on us just over a year ago. Its together how we get there and its together we stay. A big thank to all who have supported and continue to support this crazy dream of building this comedy scene.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
How can any one hope to move mountains when they’re not even willing to hike up one? The thing about hiking is, despite first glance it can actually be fun. While this comedy community has been supportive I have also seen parts of it that come with small a dose of pessimism. People or establishments actively discouraging me and others to continue. Or even at times hindering the growth we’ve all made due to a competitive nature we all honestly share. But from where I sit I see rising tides nothing to be spooked about when we all have a boat. A friend of mine plus great comedian to boot, Chuck Fury has always stated “Comedy doesn’t owe nothin to anyone” and I follow that with us being in this together rather than just in it for ourselves. Yeah there’s bumps along the way, but if you’re strapped in and have your arms in the air with a couple friends in the seat its a ride that I’m always willing to wait in line for.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Ya know, I’ll admit it. I’m a lot of things. Maybe 3 years before all this I would have looked at that as a bad thing. We’re taught to go to school, get a job, get married, have a family, be those things you chose to be under that blueprint. I guess I’m too ADHD to color inside the lines. Most people know me from videography and post production in the film and podcast industry, which led me to event photography weirdly enough. Which led me to taking photos for and of comedians. One of my favorites too, Kyle Kinane when he came to shoot his comedy special in Salt Lake – which that night only solidified my wanting to be apart of this life. So many of my passions in life met at a cross roads and I made many friends along the way and I wanted to support my friends the way they supported me. So, naturally that ushered me into this comedy world as a producer of live comedy shows that span throughout the state of Utah. I guess that’s what I’m most proud of in my professional career honestly. Sure, the fact that I’ve help cultivate a larger comedy scene here in Utah, or helping friends get on more shows opposed to being mistreated and underestimated elsewhere. But really from just following when my passions take me. Being willing to branch out no matter how uncomfortably or what society might think of a move like that. Maybe I’m known for a few things, but I’d like to be thought of as one to care only for my passions rather than what other’s might think my place is in the world.
What matters most to you?
Professionally I would say support and growth with validation. But on a more personal level I’ll take Family for $1,000 Alex. I love those guys. My supportive wife Whitney, who follows her own passions too and I love her more for it day by day. My 6 year old daughter Ansley, now taking Dad’s outlook on life and not caring about what other’s might think by wanting to do what Dad does, being a “Silly Joke Guy.” Some days you might find her sitting at a table on the sidewalk of our neighborhood not selling lemonade, but selling jokes $1 a pop. And my 2 year old monster of a son Tanyn, which is putting it lightly I can assure you. Monster he might be, there’s still a little cuddle bug in there once you ware him out enough. Usually takes two stops at two separate public parks to get to that point. But nap and bed time is my favorite time for more reasons than one. He’s still small enough to fall asleep in my arms. No matter how busy I get, and trust me I get busy (but thats a personal problem), its those moments that remind me what really matters to me in the end. I’m trying to enjoy those as much as I can right now. Because before ya know it, they’ll all have no more time for me, or wont stop trying to tell me jokes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ryanprovstgaard.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyvalleycomedy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076648073267
- Twitter: https://x.com/HVCLaughs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyValleyComedy
- Other: https://flow.page/happyvalleycomedy
