Aaron Branch, a funny Kansas City kid turned TV actor, comes home for comedy festival

Aaron Branch has always been told, since he was a child, how funny he is. But being funny is rarely the attribute a person clings to when deciding on a full-time career to pursue.

But that’s exactly what Branch did. And it’s paid off because now the Kansas City-grown comedian is in a television show streaming on Netflix. The 29-year-old started his standup career as a teenager and for the past five years has lived in Los Angeles making a name for himself on stage in comedy clubs around the city.

While home to perform at the recordBar as a kick off event for next months Fountain City Comedy Festival, Branch sat down with J.M. Banks, The Star’s culture and identity reporter, to discuss the hardships of getting a comedy career off the ground, finding your voice, and when a comedian knows they may be going to far.

Banks: How long have you done comedy and what made you want to pursue it?

Branch: I’ve been doing comedy for the past 13 years and I started when I was 15. I kind of got the comedy bug early on and I was like, let me go ahead and try this thing. I had my mom drive me all the way to Stanford and Sons out in the legends and did my first open mic. And there, over the next few months, I started to open for a lot of people by the time I was 18.

How would you describe your type of comedy to someone who’s never seen your show?

I would say it’s effervescent. That’s such a hard question, just simply because it’s like comedy is always changing. Maybe instead of saying effervescent I’ll say it’s what’s happening right now. Like I try to keep it fresh in that way. I would say that it’s also optimistic.

What is your favorite part about being a comedian?

I think my favorite part about doing comedy, if I am being honest, is just being able to be absolutely ridiculous and make people laugh. There is nothing better than that. What other profession can you say that you literally get to just go think of stuff to make people laugh?

What do you think is the most difficult part of being a comedian?

I would say the hardest part when you are a new comedian is definitely selling tickets. Then when you are an older comedian the difficult part is keeping a fresh perspective. It’s hard because you get stuck in your ways. On top of that there is developing your act. At the same time we live in an age where content is coming out so fast so comedians are having to adjust for this new era. We are having to get cameras, microphones and adjust to social media in a way that no other generation of comedians had to before us.

How often do you return home to Kansas City?

So, I’m coming back in town August 17 doing a show that’s technically a preview show for the Fountain City Comedy Festival. I’ll be headlining the recordBar and it should be a really good time. It’s only like one of the few times that I’ve been able to come back home and headline, which is cool. I performed last year for the Fountain City Comedy Festival and then this time coming back again. It’s a really awesome festival.

Is there a limit to what a comic can say or do as a part of their act?

I think freedom of speech is like a necessity when it comes to being a comedian. I do think that you should definitely be free to be able to say whatever you want. I think that the only thing I would say is for comedians to really look at their intent because there’s a thin line between freedom of speech and hate speech.

Do you have specific milestones or achievements that really stick out in your career so far?

I would say as of right now, one of the biggest things is probably my show on Netflix. I have a show on Netflix I star in called Unstable and it stars Rob Lowe. The comedic talent that I was able to be around while working on that project gave me this kind of feeling, like, I have been watching these people on TV since I was in high school in Kansas City. So, to now be in a completely different city and to be like my trailer is like two doors down from Fred Armisen is pretty Incredible.

How do you think your work impacts the community and those around you?

Well, within the comedy community, like people of color, we stick together. We had to stick together in a way that to some might seem abnormal, but to us it’s a necessity because what it ends up doing is it spreads the wealth. It helps us give opportunity and knowledge to some of us that may not get it otherwise. I have had auditions that I have only gotten because I had a fellow performer of color tell somebody about me. I try to foster that with people that look like me and it has been a key to me finding success within the industry.

Do you have a personal model or philosophy that you live by?

I think right now it is be a good person. I think that’s what it all comes down to.

What drives your passion?

I think what drives my passion is I really want to do entertainment at a high level. Another one of the driving factors is just my family. I really want to make my family proud.

What are your professional goals and plans for the future?

I got so many ideas. I want to be able to produce. I want to be able to execute several stand-up specials. Whether that ends up being on YouTube, Netflix or HBO. I want to release comedy albums. I would love to have a career that’s very similar to like Richard Pryor. I’m just trying to kind of expand my catalog.

Where do you see comedy and standup headed in the near future?

I don’t know, man. Standup right now is booming. I think eventually there’s going to be a bit of a dip, but I think it’s going to come right back up.

What advice would you give to someone who was aspiring to follow a similar path as you?

I would say just kind of like enjoy the process and just go along for the ride. Don’t really worry about the destination. I know a lot of people say that, but I think it’s really important in comedy.

This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

J.M. Banks

The Kansas City Star

J.M. Banks is The Star’s culture and identity reporter. He grew up in the Kansas City area and has worked in various community-based media outlets such as The Pitch KC and Urban Alchemy Podcast.