Written by Gabby Natale

New City. No friends. Nothing to do. Is this rock bottom? 

No. No, it’s not. Throw in a dude named Tanner who makes you change the radio station every time Taylor Swift plays. Now you’ve hit rock bottom.  

Big life changes are really not that funny. They’re actually quite terrifying. Though for an aspiring comedian, I thought going to college would create my magnum opus routine. But the city of brotherly love did not show me much affection. Looking for even a droplet of stimulation and joy in Philadelphia drove me to discover how entertaining the comedy scene here is. What makes Philly comedy so special is its unique collaborative nature, and it drove me to find my favorite people. Philly creates the perfect environment for Temple University’s sketch comedy club, Temple SMASH, to thrive. 

Temple SMASH is Temple University’s sketch comedy television show. Think SNL, but with no guest stars. Unless you count our Executive Producer who we only refer to as “babygirl.” He’s a star in our eyes. 

Temple SMASH is the perfect example of how eager the comedy scene in Philly is to help other aspiring comedians. The students there want to make good TV, and they realize that good TV takes a team. Philadelphia is packed with people who are looking to break into the industry. Temple SMASH owes it’s vitality to Philadelphia comedy scene 

Temple SMASH gave me space to grow as a scriptwriter. Ever since becoming a writer, I encourage anyone in earshot to join the organization because of the sheer amount of opportunities it’s opened up for me. Temple SMASH gives Philadelphia students so much, and Philadelphia gives back. Especially when it comes to spaces letting the funniest people on the East Coast perform. 

ComedySportz was the first comedy club I’ve ever performed in. Several Temple SMASH performances are open to the public there, as well as performances from Temple University’s improv team, The Parliament. The same students from Temple SMASH have the opportunity in The Parliament to go head to head in a Philadelphia exclusive competition, ComedySportz’s Collegiate Comedy Challenge. 

ComedySportz’s Collegiate Comedy Challenge is an improv battle in which college teams from all over the tri-state area can participate in a bracket-style. They go head to head for weeks and are judged by a panel of comedians who work at the club plus audience votes. The last college standing gets its own showcase hosted by the venue. 

This competition brings out the worst in me. 

Not only am I an overly competitive person, but a very defensive friend. When Temple’s team performs, they are my moon, my stars, and my universe. Other teams, they’re scum underneath my shoe. Well. They’re funny. I just refuse to admit that. Despite my qualms, the space this venue creates is amazing. Not only can collegiate comedians show off their skills to Philly, but meet other comedians to collaborate with. It’s evidence that the effect of Temple SMASH and the skills you acquire from the organization extend outside the Temple University bubble. It’s scary to advertise yourself. But to collaborate as a team makes comedians more open to putting themselves out there. 

There’s something genius about a rivalry that actually brings people together. In the entertainment industry, you’re fighting so hard for your spot to the point you hate every single soul that gets in your way. But you hate them because you admire their work and their talent. Then you have the chance to work with them and you realize how powerful your talents are together. 

Philadelphia is oozing with talent. When people chase their dreams in a big city, they think it’s eat or be eaten. In the city of brotherly love, it’s a city of networking. Embrace the collaborative nature of Philadelphia. Allow yourself to be helped, and most importantly make it your goal to help others. 

I owe Philadelphia my sense of humor. The people here have changed my perspective on storytelling. I’m fortunate for the space Philly has given me, and I want to give back to the city. Especially since it was the city that gave me Temple SMASH.