Kyle Cease talks about his “Evolving Out Loud” shows at New World Stages on Feb. 14, 15, 17 and 20, life as a motivational comic, and more

by | Feb 10, 2016 | Coming Up, Culture, Entertainment

Although Kyle Cease is only in his late 30s, he has been a headlining comic for over two decades. Having started in comedy at 12 years of age, Kyle has had two highly-rated Comedy Central specials – both of which released as albums through Comedy Central Records — beyond appearances in a variety of film and TV outlets including 10 Things I Hate About You, Not Another Teen Movie, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chelsea Lately, and Comics Unleashed. But in recent years, Kyle’s act has evolved from traditional stand-up comedy, also incorporating motivational and improvisation-oriented elements into each performance.

Kyle’s Evolving Out Loud – a uniquely interactive one-man show – comes to the area for three evening engagements at the New World Stages on Feb. 14, 15, 17 and 20. Evolving Out Loud has already proven successful on an international basis, with prior touring done in England, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. Domestically, Evolving has received rave reviews for its performances in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and Austin. In turn, it is not surprising that Kyle’s YouTube and Facebook videos have amassed over 42 million views (and counting).

In advance of Kyle coming to the New World Stages, I had the opportunity to speak to him on behalf of Downtown. More information about Kyle – including details regarding his forthcoming book for Beyond Word Publishing – can be found at www.kylecease.com.

image002

How would you describe your Evolving Out Loud show to someone who’s never seen you live before?

Kyle Cease: Evolving Out Loud is truly infinite possibility. It’s a non-scripted combination of comedy, spontaneity, and self-discovery. People come from all over the world to be entertained, while simultaneously giving themselves permission to let go of the things in life that feel heavy, fall in love with not knowing, and move more and more towards who they really are.

The audience is an actual co-creator of the event. Every event is completely different. Even though I am on the stage, I am also a student as I get out of the way of myself and just start allowing whatever needs to be said to come through. People often come up on the stage and work with me as a way to let go of whatever limiting beliefs had been holding them back. It’s a funny and fun process and demonstrates the power of simplicity and the power of letting go.

People eventually discover how much more effective it is to live in the present moment. We learn and experience from this place that we can move beyond our old stories, fears, and move into infinite possibility.
Is there a message or lesson that you want people to walk away with after going to see Evolving Out Loud?

K: I think one key lesson is that we are holding onto a belief that says “When something happens, I will be happy.” We are always grasping on to the future as an escape from the now. We believe that our happiness lies in a new outcome later. Then when we achieve the outcome, we still aren’t happy.

So instead, I have discovered and want to share and demonstrate a new belief. That belief is “When I am happy, things will happen.” When you learn to accept yourself as you are, you will be blown away by abundance that is come your way.

Evolving Out Loud has played internationally in Canada, Europe and Australia. Does the show diff from market to market?

K: Even though every event is completely different, human beings all share the same core values, beliefs and fears. We have all been taught that we are not enough, and that we need something to be happy. When you come to our event, it is often proven tangibly that you don’t need anything to be happy, because you ARE love.

Do you remember where your first performance in New York was?

K: I think my first performance was actually the recording of my Comedy Central half-hour special. I don’t remember where I recorded it, but obviously it is one of the greatest memories of my life.

How did you wind up booked at the New World Stages of all theaters possible?

K: My agent booked me there. I wish I had a better story for you, but my agent Steve said ‘Want to do “New World Stages?'” I am trying to ad-lib something that made it a print-worthy story. He was on-time when I met with him and he had a really striped shirt. Not sure if that helps.

Is there a possibility of extending your engagement beyond the three shows in February? Have there been talks of a long-term show or residency in New York?

K: I am so about enjoying what I am doing in this moment that I have not thought about it. I would definitely be wide open to whatever I am offered, but I am much more in a place of gratitude that I get to do what I do wherever I do it.

I’ve seen your stand-up described as being part-Eckhart Tolle and part-Jim Carrey. When did you first realize that you had more to offer than just standard jokes or commentary? Was there a particular event that inspired the change in direction of your live performances?

K: Yes, honestly it was a deep internal calling. In 2011, I had been performing standup for 22 years. Something inside told me that I needed to do more, and that stand-up comedy in clubs was not my highest calling anymore. Just being a comedian had run its course and I felt compelled to move forward. I had no idea how that would happen, but I decided to just make the leap by declaring that I was finished with comedy clubs.

This made room for new possibility. I honestly felt guided after that. I felt pulled to do this and move into this new calling. This calling has grown faster and faster minute by minute, and I am now my deepest coach in my excitement. The deepest excitement is my true guidance and it’s turning out to be right!

For someone thinking of turning their life around so that they make better choices, is there a book that you’d recommend they start with?

K: I love the books called The Power Of Intention by Wayne Dyer, also The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and Loving What Is by Byron Katie.

Do you view yourself as a comedian that also does motivational speaking? Just a comic?

K: I know this will sound self-important, I promise that’s not my intent…I view myself as a space to allow whatever needs to come through to come through. When I get caught up labeling myself, I have a hard time moving with the flow of life. I truly don’t see myself as a comedian or a motivational speaker. I see myself as change and possibility and move from that knowing. I do what I can to allow flow and adjustability to move through, and I am just an open space to listen to and speak what needs to be said! I also see everyone else this way, too.

You started doing stand-up before you were a teenager. What was your original material like?

K: I started at 12, and I only joked about what I knew, and what I knew was very little! Most of my stuff was on recess, lunch, and of course, group sex.

When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

K: This is all I do! It’s my day off, my hobby and my purpose. I love meditating, growing, and learning more about what I am capable of.

Finally, Kyle, any last words for the kids?

K: Leap towards what you want in your life. When you let go of something heavy, you might be scared, but that is only because your mind can measure what you will lose. It cannot see what you will gain. Move towards your excitement and you will discover it was always right.

-by Darren Paltrowitz

Tags:
Spring At The Seaport

Spring At The Seaport

There's something for everyone happening this Spring at The Seaport! All text courtesy of The Seaport. All images by...

Making Waves

Making Waves

Blonde Records’ Founder Rebecca Autumn Sansom (first left) Seeks Inclusivity with Wavy Awards. OCTOBER 23RD, 2021...

Glow Up

Glow Up

SHINE ON The PAC's translucent marble walls will light up from the inside at night. Photography by Luxigon. The...

Downtown Magazine