Comedian Ryan Hamilton performed Saturday evening at Illinois State University.
The live performance began at 7:30 p.m. in the Braden Auditorium at the Bone Student Center.
In addition to the performance, Chicago comedian Nate Armbruster opened before Hamilton took the stage.
Hamilton, known for his clean, observational humor, has often appeared on Netflix and late-night television. Hamilton opened for Jerry Seinfeld and starred in the Netflix stand-up special “Happy Face.”
His performance at ISU was one of many planned events for this year’s Family Weekend.
“It was so refreshing to have a comedian like Ryan Hamilton on campus. He really got the crowd going, his humor felt relatable, and it had everyone laughing,” junior Reilly Schneider said.
“I really liked when he talked with the audience,” sophomore Bradley Torry said. “The event made my friends and I feel very lighthearted and energetic. The vibe in the room was incredibly upbeat, and everyone seemed to have a great time.”
Community members also attended.
“My family and I sometimes have to drive as far as Chicago to see comedians like Ryan. Having him perform here at ISU was such a treat for the community,” Normal resident Ronald Perez said.
Hamilton closed his show by asking the audience questions, a move that caught some attendees by surprise. Questions ranged from favorite ice cream flavors to any advice Hamilton had for college students and their families.
“I was not expecting him to ask some questions,” junior Val Garcia said. “I’ve seen shows in Chicago where big stars don’t really have audience engagement, so him doing that made the whole experience feel more personal and memorable.”
This performance comes a few weeks before Hamilton is set to record a new stand-up special coming to Netflix. Taping for the special will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, in Seattle, Washington.
