Like most comedians, Lucas Bohn made people laugh in his formative years, and that played a role in where he is today—teacher turned comedian.
“I was the class clown in my school and would watch countless hours of old comedy on television,” says Bohn, who hails from Mathews, Virginia. “I would come to school and then perform the jokes that I had memorized. It was a great feeling to make my friends laugh.”
Bohn taught fifth grade at Rolling Ridge elementary school in Sterling, Virginia. The decision to teach is easy to understand. It’s the family trade.
“Both of my parents are teachers,” he says. “My wife is a teacher as well as my father-in-law and mother-in-law. My sister is a principal in Virginia Beach.”
But making people laugh was not so high up on the list of attributes fifth grade teachers should bring into the classroom. He announced to the educators in his family circle he wanted to pursue comedy.
“They were nothing but supportive; they knew that if I didn’t take the risk, I would always regret it later on,” he says.
He had no plan B, Bohn says. He took a one-year sabbatical and decided to see if he could make it work. “After 12 months of hard work I had replaced my teaching income and actually made more money. I enjoyed my time in education but there’s no way I would ever be returning to that sector. Comedy is just too much fun.”
Bohn’s students knew he did comedy on weekends and during the summer. “They always wanted me to tell them jokes and do impressions for them. They would ask where I was performing and how the crowds were. It was a really exciting time in my life. We had a blast my last year, too. It’s a great feeling when you know you’re not returning to a job because you can just have fun. I mean, what was the principal going to do, fire me? We did a lot of fun projects, and my students did fantastic on the state tests at the end of the year. It was a great way to leave my professional career,” he says.
Bohn knew that financially he was able to quit his day job and pursue comedy. “But I was scared. I was giving up a salary, healthcare and retirement. I talked it over with my wife and she was so supportive. Listening to her advice was the best decision I’ve ever made……other than marrying her of course.”
In 2011, he turned pro and made for the comedy club and college circuit, which brought his first big gig at the Comedy Stop in Atlantic City.
“I love Atlantic City crowds. The people are hard-working, and they don’t take themselves too seriously,” says Bohn, who plays the Levoy Theatre on May 5.
He’ll perform a show he developed called “Lesson Plans for Late Night.”
It’s a one-of-a-kind comedy show about teaching, raising a family and performing stand-up. The show also features storytelling and a multimedia slideshow. “Lesson Plans for Late Night” has been featured on NBC’s “Bring the Funny.” Parade Magazine called it a “Comedic Multimedia Masterpiece.”
“The show is hysterical because not only do I perform stand up, but I also incorporate pictures from my journey. Everything from student work, funny signs I see while touring, to pictures of my family,” he says.
He credits Rodney Dangerfield, Henny Youngman, and Johnny Carson as influencers. “I’ve also performed with comedy icons like Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Jimmy Fallon.”
Bohn describes his comedy as observational. “I like to take things that I see out in the world and try to make it funny for everybody. Comedy is everywhere in life. I feel that I have a great way of finding the funny in everyday situations and making people laugh about it.”
His first comedy special, “too cool for school” went viral with more than 50 million views. His live comedy specials can be heard on Spotify, SiriusXM, Pandora, and Apple Music.
Campus Activities Magazine named Bohn comedian of the year for 2013. “It’s like the Oscars for college performers. Just to be nominated is a huge honor. I’ve also done work with Comics on Duty and performed for the troops. That was a very humbling and rewarding experience.”
With his brother-in-law, Bohn started a production company and produced comedy records. “We work with SiriusXM in New York. I’m very excited to work and produce the next level of comedy albums for the public.”
“We have over 40 albums and produce shows at 12 venues in the Delmarva area,” he says.
If You Go…
WHO: Lucas Bohn does his show “Lesson Plans for Late Night.”
WHEN: Friday, May 5
TIME: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Levoy Theatre, 126-130 High Street, Millville, NJ
TICKETS: $27-$30, plus fees
MORE INFO: 856-327-6400, info@levoy.net
