Father of four by day, comic by night Toby McElroy dreamed of being a comedian since the age of 12 and has been performing stand up for the past 3 years. “I grew up watching a lot of comedy,” McElroy said. “I didn’t initially begin doing stand up comedy, though, until I was about 35.” McElroy graduated from Texas State University in 2008, and was also affiliated with KTSW 89.9 during his college career.

The 6’0 tall redheaded comic said because of his image, he has pretty much been on stage his entire life, helping him to deal with nerves towards unresponsive audiences. “I’m a big goofy red head named Toby, even in my every day life its hard for me to be incognito,” he said. The MR Fest performer gets inspiration for his jokes based off every day life and the things that happen within his family. “I try to stay away from politics and religion because they are such polarized topics,” he said. Some of his influences include Robin Williams and Barry Sobel, whom he had the chance to work with during his time performing stand up. “Barry had the biggest influence on me. I got to know him and said that’s what I want to do and that’s who I want to be,” McElroy said. McElroy has competed in both Austin’s Funniest Person Contest and the Funniest Person in South Texas.

McElroy’s favorite thing about being involved in the comedy scene is other comedians. “I’m blessed to be put in situations with people who share one common goal or one common denominator,” McElroy said. “Like some of the guys in San Marcos would probably never even talk to each other outside comedy if it wasn’t for comedy.” Comedy allows McElroy to be surrounded by other comedians who also see things in a different, non-judgmental light. Toby McElroy will be at the Vault in San Marcos, Texas on April 28^th.

-Andrea Carr