NEPA Scene’s Got Talent spotlight: Comedian Zack Hammond
Every week of NEPA Scene’s Got Talent, our free open mic and talent competition at Thirst T’s Bar & Grill in Olyphant, we feature a quick Q&A with the latest audience vote winner, which was comedian Zack Hammond on May 5.
The weekly winner receives $50 in cash and the headlining slot for the following Tuesday, and all other performers are encouraged to compete again as often as they’d like or simply show off their talents for fun.
After 12 weeks, the 12 winners will face off against each other in front of a panel of local celebrities who will determine the winner of the grand prize – a vacation package that includes $500 cash, three days and two nights in Cleveland, Ohio to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Great Lakes Brewing Company, tickets to a Cleveland Indians baseball game, and a free recording session at TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton when they return home.
We asked the 27-year-old Luzerne resident about winning Week 7 with his sharp, sarcastic humor.
NEPA SCENE: What brought you here to the event?
ZACK HAMMOND: I’ve been going every week to test and perfect my material.
NS: How long have you been performing comedy?
ZH: Seven years.
NS: What interested you in stand-up in the first place?
ZH: I’ve always loved comedy and the creative freedom it allows.
NS: How did you get started?
ZH: Open mics and talent shows in college.
NS: Is comedy something that you’re pursuing as a career, or is it just for fun?
ZH: A career.
NS: What was your immediate reaction or feeling when you won?
ZH: When I heard my name as the winner, I thought the host was just pointing out that I was in the room.
NS: How will you spend your $50 prize?
ZH: Scratch-offs, win, bet all winnings on black, get Romney rich…
NS: Do you perform live in front of an audience regularly?
ZH: Yes. Almost every day of the week.
NS: Where can people see one of your performances next?
ZH: I’ll be performing at the Scranton Celtic Festival May 16 and 17 and Donahue’s (34 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) on May 16, which starts at 11 p.m. Sign-ups for that open mic are at 10 p.m., and it takes place one Saturday a month. I’m at The Main Bean (161 Main St., Luzerne) every Sunday, and that starts at 7 p.m. And I’ll be doing a benefit for the Davis family on May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Plymouth Eagles Club (145 E. Main St., Plymouth); the comedy starts at 9 p.m.
NS: Where can people find you online?
ZH: Zaxcomedy.com, Twitter, and Facebook.
For more information on NEPA Scene’s Got Talent, which is always free and open to anyone, click here.
Photo by Alex Seeley Photography
