So a woman walks into 7th Street Underground and becomes the first to perform at the Last Comic Standing competition.

The third annual Last Comic Standing competition will bring together a diverse group of comedians including the first female comedian to take the stage in the event’s history.

The event, coordinated by the University Board, will take place at 9 p.m. tonight in 7th Street Underground and feature six comics, including Carri Wafford.

When Wafford, senior journalism major, realized she was the only female comic, she was a little nervous at first, but then embraced the news with enthusiasm.

“I realized I was the only girl and, at first, I thought it would be kind of awkward because there is that gender bias in comedy, but I think it will be a good time,” Wafford said. “I hope that I’m treated the same way as everyone else as far as jokes go, I mean, you don’t have to put a genitalia on a joke to make it funny.”

Matt Caponera, a senior corporate communications major and vice chair for UB, will be the emcee for the evening and is thrilled to have diverse comics performing.

“These are student comedians, so I hope a lot of people come and see how talented some of these young comedians are and I’m happy that we have such a diverse group of people,” Caponera said. “A bunch of different styles of comedy will be represented and that’s what I was looking for.”

Caponera performed and won in the first Last Comic Standing competition at Eastern and will be sitting on the judging panel this time around. Caponera will be joined by UB Comedy Coordinator Rovion Reed and UB graduate adviser Mindy Gayheart on the panel to decide which three comedians will be going home with prizes provided by Positively 4th Street Records.

The comedians will get 10 minutes to impress the audience and the judges with their comedy routine. The audience will also get a say in who wins through their applause and comments to the judges according to Caponera.

Reed, a senior African-American studies major and UB comedy coordinator, arranged the event and has been working to promote it and make sure it is a fun environment for the talent and audience alike.

“I’ve been making sure all of the promo is out, making sure the comedians know what to do and make sure that the people in the audience enjoy themselves,” Reed said. “That’s really all that it’s about, making sure the audience and the comedians enjoy themselves.”

Anthony “OC” Boyd, a freshman theatre arts major, will also be performing tonight.

Boyd has gained some experience in stand up comedy by performing at Open Mic Nights and has since learned a method to master his routines for performances.

“I’m practicing everyday,” Boyd said. “I just talk to the wall.”

Boyd admits to being a little bit nervous about performing, but has a plan to calm his nerves before he takes the stage.

“I’m going to scream to the top of my lungs before I enter the building,” Boyd said.

All nerves aside, Boyd considers Last Comic Standing to be a great opportunity and is looking forward to being a part of it even if he doesn’t win.

“When people laugh, if you don’t laugh, it’s OK. It’s a learning experience,” Boyd said. “I use original material which people of my culture can relate to and some family issues that people can relate to.”

The first place winner of the Last Comic Standing will receive two tickets to a Second City comedy show in Chicago.

The second place winner will get a $50 gift card to Positively 4th Street Records and third place winner will receive a comedy book with tips on how to be successful in their comedy careers. The rest of the participants will receive a shirt from the UB.

Megan Tkacy can be reached at 581-7942

or metkacy@eiu.edu