Estimates fall short for CAB dollar day

With several one-liners and storiess from his past, Chris Strait performs his comedy routine during dollar burger day in the Lion´s Den March 2. The act was broadcast over the building speakers.

With several one-liners and storiess from his past, Chris Strait performs his comedy routine during dollar burger day in the Lion´s Den March 2. The act was broadcast over the building speakers.

Opening for the first time in Joplin during the $1 burger day sponsored by Missouri Southern’s Campus Activities Board, was comedian Chris Strait.

“When you’re following burger day, you know you’ve done well,” Strait said.

Strait, who has been doing stand-up comedy for five years, said he had a good time performing in the Lions’ Den.

“You’ve got to have different expectations in a room like that,” he said. “In a comedy club, if you’re not getting deafening laughter every time, you’re worried. Here, if I could see a chuckle in the middle of a bite, I knew it was a good joke.”

Strait has followed comedy since he was a kid.

“I could quote every comedian’s act,” he said. “I loved everything from the cleanest to the dirtiest. I loved the fact they were truth-tellers.”

After spending time in front of the speakers and the television, Strait decided he wanted to try and get in front of a crowd. He took a comedy class, which convinced him he could do stand-up comedy.

“I learned enough to trick me into thinking I could do it,” he said.

He wrote some material and tried it out.

“It’s hard to get up the first time,” he said. “After the first few times you’re hooked.”

Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Strait had several clubs in the area where he could test his material.

Now, after five years, Strait has begun to tour, getting stage time and making connections where he can.

As far as his goals, Strait remains realistic.

“You can’t be arrogant,” he said.

Strait said many comedians are out there just to get their own show or their own special.

“I might host things, do movies, but every three or four years, you’ll get another special out of me,” he said.

Strait said he enjoyed the short time he spent in Joplin.

“I like the town, I like the people,” he said. “I was informed when I got here that because I ate at IHOP I’d already done half the stuff to do in Joplin. I just have to hit Wal-Mart on my way out.”

The burger day and comedy event raised $180 for the tsunami relief effort.

“It was a low turnout,” said Melanie Epperson, secretary for the Student Activities Office.

“We planned for $400,” she said.

This was the first time the CAB attempted to have a lunch and comedy event.

“It was a tough crowd,” Epperson said. “It was a different venue. We were trying something new and it didn’t work out as well as we had hoped. People were coming and going and that’s hard for a comedian to stay focused.”

Anyone interested in Strait’s comedy can visit his Web site at www.chrisstrait.com.