Karl Berger is passionate about stand-up comedy. As an audience member, sure, but right now, we’re talking performer. Karl started out doing open mics during college out in Portland, Oregon back in 2008, took an improv class and has been performing in a variety of venues in Oregon and Portland, Maine.

In 2013, he came back home to Boothbay and in 2015 Karl hiked the AT (Appalachian Trail) with his dad, Steve Berger, before heading back out west and getting serious about stand-up.

Karl’s comedy is based on experiences, subjects he feels passionate about, and stories drawn from his life – the same draws as most comedians. “I’m three years in now. I haven’t found my voice or figured out who my stage persona is … but it takes time to create your own voice.”

According to Steve, Karl’s been working on that voice since their time on the Trail, the place Steve first learned of his son’s interest in doing stand up.

“It was one of the rare nights when we were alone in a shelter. Just talking. Karl told me that one of his goals in life was to become a stand-up comic and I was somewhat blown away. I’d had no knowledge of this side of him,” recalled Steve. “I always knew Karl had a healthy sense of humor and was a bit of a joker, but this was serious. He told me about open mic nights, writing jokes and submitting them to some of the late night shows. After that I noticed how he’d try out little bits on people we were hiking with … ironic quips that he’d polish a bit with each replay. Always working the crowd. Made me proud.”

Karl’s passion for comedy was originally kindled by his mom, Carolyn Shubert, who introduced him to the likes of the greats — Sid Caesar, Abbott & Costello, Groucho – and all things Marx Brothers, W. C. Fields, Oscar Levant, Dorothy Parker and the whole Algonquin Round Table, and Carolyn’s favorite, Ernie Kovacs.

“I believe that comedy and laughter makes all things in this world and life much better,” said Carolyn. “I’ve only seen Karl perform on video via the Internet and I don’t always ‘get’ the humor. I watched one bit with my mother and sister and we all shrugged and chalked it up to “millennial humor.” That said, we are all extremely proud and supportive of him even when he uses us in his jokes!”

Karl went out there for school after graduating from Boothbay Region High School in 2008 to study woodworking at Lewis & Clark College and later at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. By day, Karl works for Streamline Craftsman, which builds trade show installations for companies like Nike, Adidas, Columbia, and others like Stella McCartney, and does home renovations and custom furniture making.

Karl is out four to five nights a week to perform or to watch other stand-ups. He’s always working on new material, from which a deep appreciation for comedy writing has developed.

“Like Abbott & Costello’s ‘Who’s on First?’ I played it for friends of mine who had never heard it ... it doesn’t matter how many times you hear it, that word play … it’s all so well thought out.”

Juggling his day job and stand-up while trying to make time to spend with his girlfriend is a challenge.

“If you don’t (find the balance), you’re not allowing for life to happen … you’re not absorbing the real world, and you need to do that to create good comedy,” said Karl. “My girlfriend just asks for one night. We have to schedule a date night!”

Last Christmas, Karl was in Maine and got a gig at a Portland comedy club thanks to some stand-up friends. Steve said Karl was squeezed into a sold out show with an audience of more than 200.

“Some of those other performers had legit credentials, and Karl played very well, based on the crowd,” said Steve. “The one thing that I’ve noticed and admire about Karl in all of this, is his understanding of the process and his tenacity in pursuit of his dream. Funny or not you have to put yourself out there, night after night, like a gladiator.”

So what’s his comedy like? Ryan Leighton, a longtime friend, and director of the documentary about Karl and Steve’s AT adventure, “Walking Home,” (Ryan hiked about 500 miles of the AT with them), described one night at a co-ed fraternity at Dartmouth College (on the Trail).

“Karl’s a funny dude. Something set him off and got him on a roll and he sort of stepped out of his skin and revealed this edgier, callous comedic side,” Leighton said. “I’ve seen his shows he posts online and I’d characterize his stage persona as a shade on the darker side with a tinge of cynicism, which can be both hilarious and thought provoking. I’m glad he’s finally pursuing comedy and exploring the absurdities in life that we found both on and off the trail.”

Though it’s a tough business to break into, Karl loves doing stand-up. He loves the energy between himself and an audience. And he doesn’t shy away from any subject, from prostate exams to challenging sexual norms. “I’m a straight, white man being vulnerable and emotional instead of being macho.”

Recently Karl was at the Highlarious Comedy Festival in San Francisco. He plays Portland, Oregon venues like the Helium Comedy Club and the Curious Comedy Theater. In March, he was one of 50 comics in the Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival (44 podcasts and 26 live shows). Karl did four nights of shows including podcasts and recordings. He’s also a comedy writer for the “Late Night Special” coming up with opening monologues and sketches and he digs the group writing scene.

He’s also in a TV commercial for the Oregon State Lottery which funds state parks. This project really spoke to Karl’s environmentalist side. 

At 28, Karl’s not setting a time limit on chasing the dream. “Nobody wants to admit the chances for great success are slim to none … at the same time, first and foremost it should be fun. I enjoy the craft of stand-up. I’m serious about stand up.”

Check out the links to some of Karl’s shows and the commercial accompanying this article at www.boothbayregister.com