Today we’d like to introduce you to Abe Auer.
Hi Abe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always been interested in stand up comedy. In Jr. High I signed up to do comedy at my school talent show and then backed out at the last minute. The ghost of Jr. High talent shows haunted me for many years. I would see comedy clips online or hear about shows in the area and it would pique my interest. I had a knack for making friends, classmates, and co-workers laugh so I thought it was something I could be good at.
In 2021 I was sick with COVID and banished to my basement for 10 days. Before I found the end of the internet I stumbled upon some videos of Nate Bargatze. I really enjoyed his comedy because he wasn’t gross, or constantly swearing, just really funny in his own style. It was comedy I could listen to with the kids around and that was appealing to me. I started to get into other comics in his genre and in 2022 I saw a show at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay. It was John Crist with Derrick Stroup and Caleb Elliot. They were all very different but all very funny. The crowd, of close to 1,000 people, was laughing and having a great time. During this show I thought, “I WANT to do this.” Weeks later I signed up for my first open mic. I was really nervous before hand but I did it and I felt good about finally giving it a try. I rode out the glory of that open mic for a couple months and then on my way to see a Nate Bargatze show I told my wife I really wanted to get more into comedy and she was very supportive. She also told me I should see a counselor but that was later in the conversation.
From that point on I started going to open mics on a regular basis and really dug into stand up comedy. I carry a small notebook with me to write ideas down, I took a stand up comedy class, and invested more time and energy into my ambitions.
I listened to comedy podcasts and took advice from seasoned, professional comics. The ride from there has been pretty fun but not without a lot of work. I eventually got into being on paid shows at Skyline Comedy Club in Appleton, WI and in 2025 I have preformed at comedy clubs in Tacoma, Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Milwaukee, Columbus, and Appleton among others. I make the occasional trip to the U.P. and have enjoyed my shows there too.
On November 22nd I am going to open a show in Green Bay, WI at the Meyer Theatre for Dusty Slay. Dusty has been a major influence for me and of course the Meyer Theatre is a special place for me as well. Dusty has a podcast called “We’re Having a Good Time,” and I was able to take a lot of good advice from that an apply it to my comedy ambitions. He has been very gracious to me with having me on shows and letting me hang out behind the scenes at many of his theater shows. There have been many other comics, local and national, who have been very helpful and kind to me and I really appreciate it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Time, energy, and money. If I had unlimited resources I could do a lot more in the comedy world. But I have an awesome family and enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. I love coaching soccer, and my kids are in sports. I don’t want to miss the important things in their life, so it is a balance. Also, there can be a lot of driving or even flying involved and unless you’re the headliner you are footing the bill to get yourself to the shows.
Comedy is weird too because you can have a great show, people are laughing and telling you how funny you are and a week later to do an open mic and get barely any laughs and think, “Why am I doing this?” Keeping an even keel in an unsteady world can be difficult, but I think it’s important to try and maintain one.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Along with doing comedy in person I also post videos and photos online of my comedy. I have been able to connect with comics from all over the country doing this. I enjoy it but it can be time consuming. I am always looking for more followers on my Facebook and Instagram.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Time, energy, and money. If I had unlimited resources I could do a lot more in the comedy world. But I have an awesome family and enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. I love coaching soccer, and my kids are in sports. I don’t want to miss the important things in their life, so it is a balance. Also, there can be a lot of driving or even flying involved and unless you’re the headliner you are footing the bill to get yourself to the shows.
Comedy is weird too because you can have a great show, people are laughing and telling you how funny you are and a week later to do an open mic and get barely any laughs and think, “Why am I doing this?” Keeping an even keel in an unsteady world can be difficult, but I think it’s important to try and maintain one.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @abe_auer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555970578875
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@comedyauer
