Pandji Pragiwaksono Builds His Career from Scratch in America, Starting Again from Open Mic

Kapanlagi.com - Pandji Pragiwaksono shares his process of rebuilding his career as a comedian in the United States in an interview with Variety. After being well-known in Indonesia for a long time, he chose to start again from the open mic stage in New York before embarking on his first English-language stand-up tour.

"I haven't made any money in the US," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

"The next tour will change my financial situation," he added.

1. Towards the First Tour in Australia, the US, and Canada

Pandji has scheduled an English stand-up tour starting on August 26 in Australia. After that, the series of shows will continue to the United States and Canada.

Before the tour, he performed at various open mics in New York. This step was taken to test material in English and gauge the responses of the local audience.

In Indonesia, Pandji is known as one of the most successful comedians. Moving to America has brought him into a new phase, with a different work rhythm and an audience that does not yet know him.

2. Indonesian Storytelling vs Fast Pace of New York

Pandji explained that material that works in Indonesia cannot simply be translated to the American stage. He initially thought it would be enough to translate his old material before experiencing the differences himself.

"I eventually realized, through a not-so-easy experience, that reality is not like that," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

According to him, audiences in Indonesia are accustomed to a long storytelling style before reaching the main punchline.

"Indonesia loves storytelling. Many comedy materials have long setups before hitting a big punchline, with a small punchline in the middle," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

In New York, he felt a faster pace with a consistent demand for laughter.

"People in New York want setup, punchline, setup, punchline," he said.

3. Learning from Open Mic and the Search for Identity Material

Accustomed to entertaining tens of thousands of viewers in Indonesia, Pandji is now honing himself again through open mic. From those small rooms, he absorbs social habits that then become material for writing.

"I learned how Americans behave in social life, including the dynamics of relationships between parents and children," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

"I also came to know various stereotypes attached to Florida!" He continued.

Pandji admitted to experiencing a comedy identity crisis when he first settled in America. He tried material themed around current issues but found many other comedians taking a similar path.

He then chose to raise stories about Indonesia as a distinguishing factor on the American stage. The English material he presented was also generally lighter compared to when he performed in his homeland, where he often touched on political issues and criticized the government.

"Even my speaking style is different," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

"It's as if there are two different comedians," he said.

4. Maintaining Focus in America and the Issue of Ego

Pandji mentioned that open mic gives him a space for honest testing. He can gauge whether a joke really works without being influenced by his popularity in Indonesia.

"In Indonesia, there are times when I’m not really sure whether the audience is laughing because of the joke I delivered or just because it’s me who is speaking," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

In the midst of this process, there is occasionally a temptation to rebuild his career back home. However, he chooses to stick to the plan he is pursuing in America.

"Sometimes when attending open mics, I think, 'It would be so much easier if I went back to Indonesia and started over there,'" said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

"Occasionally, ego does come up, but I have to control it and remember that there is a process I have to go through," he concluded.

(kpl/rsp)