Chris Gethard to perform stand-up comedy at Reitz

Nick Simmons will get the chance to see a performer who has helped him improve his own comedy at the Reitz Union on Wednesday.

The Reitz Union Board Entertainment announced March 28 that it’s bringing Chris Gethard, who has made guest appearances on “Conan,” “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation,” to the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom to perform stand-up comedy at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The show is free for students with a valid Gator 1 Card, and attendees can bring up to one guest, said Michele Kuhn, the RUB Entertainment Speakers and Comedians Committee co-director.

Tickets aren’t needed, and Gethard will be paid $10,000, Kuhn said.

Simmons, a 23-year-old UF English and philosophy major, said he stumbled across Gethard’s work when studying comedians to improve his own sets with Theater Strike Force, a UF student improvisational comedy organization.

Gethard talks about living with bipolar disorder, so Simmons sees the comedian as an inspiration for discussing mental health, he said.

“He’s a lot about making people feel comfortable with themselves,” he said.

Kuhn, a 20-year-old English junior, said she hopes the show gives students a respite from the stress of end-of-term exams.

“I think it’s a great chance for students to take a break from studying for finals and be entertained,” she said.

Chris Gethard