Ian Fidance, a Wilmington native and Archmere Academy alumnus, always knew he would be a comedian. He spent his early years learning about comedians’ lives and material. You know a person is meant to be a comedian when he researches the controversial comic Bill Hicks.
At New York University, Fidance began writing and performing in New York City and becoming familiar with lifestyles of comics.
“At the time I would just write the material and go perform it,” says Fidance. “I was not doing what a comic should do. I needed to go to open-mike nights, and really hone the material.”
After graduation, Fidance moved back to Wilmington and practiced at Philadelphia’s open-mike venues. He soared to the top 10 in Philadelphia’s March Madness comedy competition and won Delaware’s LOL@TheGrand.
Fidance’s commitment to living life as a comic will keep him in the game. He drives back and forth between gigs throughout the East Coast, hitting comedy clubs and colleges, discussing topics, such as his mother’s fear of milk. Fidance sees the funny in everyone, and taps into what makes them human and relatable. After a lifetime of observing people, Fidance has made human foibles the core of his routine.
“I will be a success if I can do this for a living and get health insurance at the same time,” he says.
Fidance will perform at the baby grand in spring. If he doesn’t have health insurance by then, I plan to adopt him.
