Every Tuesday night at Harrison’s around 7 p.m., comedians workshop their content in front of an audience. Senior and rising comedian Picasio Thompson entered the stage after a leap of faith.
Thompson grew up in close-knit Raleigh and fell in love with comedy at a young age. He said his father introduced him to humor-based programs like “King of the Hill” and “Chappelle’s Show.” It wasn’t until he was older that he started sharing his own content. Unafraid to step on toes, Thompson said that he enjoys pushing the envelope with his comedy.
“I am a black guy from Mississippi with opinions, and I want to make you have a good day,” Thompson said. “I’m going to talk about white people, black people, people of different ethnicities, different genders. I’m open to everything; it doesn’t matter. Nothing is off limits.”
Before performing his first show, he added that he was not completely confident in his jokes, but he quickly became comfortable in front of the crowd.
“It takes so much. Like you get on stage, (and) you have got to be funny,” Thompson said. “(A friend) told me to come watch her (do stand-up). I came and watched her. I was like, ‘I really want to do that.’ Then the next week I did it, (and) I went every single week. I was making new jokes, new materials (and) writing every constantly every day… It was so much fun.”
The weekly event hosts aspiring Oxford comedians and operates as an open mic. Thompson encourages others to watch the show, not only for his performance but for others as well. He uses social media to promote the show, but he also uses it as a comedic platform.
“Twitter’s everything. It is fast… I just feel free,” Thompson said. “I just get on there. I’m not worried about what’s going on here or there. I’ll just say whatever I want. I don’t really care if it’s funny or not. I’ll just say what I want to say. I just say whatever’s on my mind.”
In the past, Thompson said he has gotten negative feedback on his jokes. Often, the criticism will come from when he makes jokes about topics such as race and gender. He said that comedy unites people and is a way for people to open themselves up to new expressions.
“You have to know where you set yourself, your boundaries,” Thompson said. “Personally, I don’t let other people’s boundaries get in my way. Just because somebody else doesn’t feel comfortable talking about a situation doesn’t mean I don’t. I’ll say whatever I want.”
Thompson expressed that all of the crowds he sees are filled with diverse people, including himself.
He shared an experience with hearing a political joke being met with criticism and said he felt that open mics are a way for creatives to workshop their content.
“When somebody’s doing their bit, let them work it out,” Thomspon said. “It’s also an open mic. It’s not perfect, (and) we’re here to work it out.”
Though following his passion into a comedy career is his dream, Thompson said he loves speaking with others and doing work with communications. He currently does marketing work with Uncommon Oxford apartments.
Along with his consistent performances, Thompson is collaborating with friends Keenan Hardrick and Deterris Fox for a new podcast called “Odd Ballz,” that will be available on streaming services this week.
