Adam Mamawala
Adam Mamawala (b. May 18, 1987, Aurora, Illinois) is an American stand-up comic. He graduated from Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey in 2005 and graduated from The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey with a degree in Communication Studies in 2009.[1] [2] [3] [4] He is of half-Indian and half-German ancestry.[2] [3] [4]
He makes use of accents, and laughs at his own name, as means of diffusing and parodying stereotypes of South Asians.
Biography
His most notable acclaim thus far was being featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, the news journal of North American college administrators.[4] He was quoted in that article as responding to the host, who had made fun of his name, that "If I'm getting thousand-dollar checks, people can call me whatever they want...."[4] In fact, he makes light of his own name, noting that every syllable ends in an "a".[2] His signature comedy routine is "about a GPS system that (speaks) in different accents ...."[4]
Mamawala was a finalist in Catch a Rising Star's Comedy Challenge in November 2006, which allowed him an opportunity to perform in Atlantic City in December 2006.[1] [2] [4] [5] From there, he won the 2007 New Jersey Comedy Festival, where he was crowned "New Jersey King of Campus Comedy."[4] [6] [7] Adam performed frequently on campus during his time at The College of New Jersey, and in 2009 he hosted the New Jersey Comedy Festival. He also performed with Kel Mitchell at a charity show in June 2008, and in November of 2009 he opened for Nigel Lawrence at Boston University's BU Central.[8]
He has done some stand-up in New York City.[9]
On a more serious note, Mamawala has presented undergraduate research about Darfur.[10] After a lecture by Melissa Harris-Lacewell, an associate professor at Princeton University, he commented, "She gave an interesting perspective on the social constructs of race, especially with her profiles on McCain and Obama."[11]
He is also a published poet,[12] and a varsity tennis player.[13] [14]
He is a "huge" Chicago sports fan, rooting for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears.[2]
References
- ^ a b James Queally, "Punchlines punch Mamawala's ticket to Atlantic City", The Signal (College of New Jersey newspaper), November 29, 2006, found at Punchlines punch Mamawala's ticket to Atlantic City. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e MySpace account. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ a b The College of New Jersey official web site wep page for Student Ambassador Adam Mamawala. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Thomas Bartlett, "Funny You Should Say That," The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 11, 2008, found at Chronicle of Higher Education sample article. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ "Casino Capsules: C.A.R.S. College Comedy Challenge Finals, Dec. 2, Catch A Rising Star" in Atlantic City Weekly, November 23, 2006, found at Atlantic City Weekly web site. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ New Jersey Comedy Festival official web site. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ Notes, Atanticville News, December 27, 2007, found at Atlanticville News article. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ "Event: Kel Mitchell to host Edison comedy show Wednesday to support local scholarship, by Helping Hands", see [www.nj.com/helpinghands/index.ssf/2008/06/vent_kel_mitchell_to_host_edis.html NJ.com website]. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
- ^ Videos on Youtube at Adam Mamawala Stand-Up at Comix (January 07, 2009 show on Youtube) and Adam Mamawala at Comix 1/6. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
- ^ Mamawala was part of a student panel entitled, "Global Coverage of Efforts to End Genocide in Darfur, Sudan", on November 17, 2007, at a meeting of the National Coomunication Association, see listings at National Communication Association web site, and pdf of the report at Global Coverage of Efforts to End Genocide in Darfur, Sudan (pdf). Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ Kaitlin Olcott, "Princeton professor studies race, politics," The Signal, March 4, 2009, found at The Signal online. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
- ^ PoetryPoem.com web site. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ College Club tennis web site. Accessed March 14, 2008.
- ^ Middle States US Tennis Association official web site. Accessed March 14, 2008.