1) Tell us a little about you & what you do!

I’m a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. Basically, that’s it.But before comedy, I went to school for Eletro-Mechanical Engineering (the study of robots) and I landed a job building and repairing robots at a company called International Robotics.

2) When did Comedy pull you out of a dark time in your life?

Comedy might have pulled me into a dark time of my life. (sweating emoji)
Actually, it happened when I didn’t let my comedy career just fun and games anymore and began to tell jokes/stories that were truer to my life. I started learning more about who I am and what I really want.
I’ve been doing comedy since the mid-’90s (‘96) but I didn’t really take it seriously until I finally quit my robotics job. And still, even then I didn’t really believe in myself up until 2004. Hearing from many people of how funny I am numerous times is when I really decided to take it more seriously.  Meaning I would finally get proper head-shots, write out my film scripts, produce projects, etc.

So comedy helped me to believe in me more.

3) Who is someone who has passed who has inspired you with your work?

Most of my comedy is influence by my mom and dad. I tell stories of growing up as a Haitian American in Brooklyn. Also, my best friend Patrice O’Neal who I learn so much from that molded the way I see the world later on.
But before Patrice O’Neal, my old boss gave me a Robin Harris stand up comedy CD. That CD blew my mind! For one year straight I listened to it every day, 2 or 3 times a day.  Before then I didn’t know much about comedy, just Rodney Dangerfield and a few glimpses at Pryor. The reason is that my Haitian parents were very strict & shield my brothers & me from what they thought ‘the evils of the world” - which included raunchy comedy.

4) What is genuine happiness to you?

Genuine happiness for me is true financial freedom and for the police mistake me for a white person.Not to mention, spending time with my family and good friends. I also find happy times when I’m doing what I love; stand up comedy, writing scripts, and boxing.
I’m working on a film about Haitian boxing who thinks if he can be the boxing champion in America then he can help Haiti. And I just love how much the story has evolved and inspired it is.

5) What does the Comedy Cellar mean to you?

Home. Family. Friendship. And a place that helps me to keep my landlord happy.

6) What revelations about yourself have you realized during Quarantine?

Quarantine made me realize that maybe I’m not so introverted as I thought I was. And to make sure I stock up on socks.

7) What advice do you have for younger comics that are nervous about putting themselves out there?

Stage time. Stage time. Stage time.

8) Where is one place you would like to travel and do comedy?

I would love to do comedy in many different countries in Africa, Japan, and back to Haiti and Australia.

9) What’s a tip you have for people to raise their vibration right now in stressful times?

Only you can control how things make you feel (whatever that is). I am learning to control the things that control our emotions and the choices we make. Whether it’s sex, foods, procrastination, or other people’s words and thoughts of me. I believe the more control I have on these things the less these things can control how I feel day to day.

10) Where can we find out more about you?
Every first of the month you can catch me arguing with my landlord or my website: wilsylvince.com and gofundme.com/iammaurice