Humorist, playwright, and author Kevin Kling takes the stage Oct. 16 to create an evening blending humor and heartfelt storytelling for the community.
Kling was born and raised in Osseo, Minnesota, where he found his passion for the arts from a young age. He has written and performed in numerous plays, recorded original music and released books.
Kling explained on the SDSU Conversations with COJO podcast that he always had an interest in storytelling and was able to create a career from that.
Kling has taken his work worldwide and is now bringing it to Brookings.
SDSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility is co-sponsoring Kling’s visit and chose to do so because of the inspiring message he provides through his shows.
“Kevin Kling’s ability to weave humor and personal experience into captivating stories is a gift that will leave the audience laughing and reflecting,” Shelly Bayer, director of SDSU OMAA, said. “Sharing his unique perspective as a person with disabilities creates understanding and awareness that is necessary for building a more accessible world.
The show will take place in the South Dakota State University Student Union Volstorff Ballroom beginning at 7 p.m. and will last until 8:30. Admission is free for all audience members.
Kling is excited to share his work with the Brookings community and looks forward to the audience’s reaction.
“My favorite part is hearing people afterwards,” Kling said. “When people come up and say, ‘My dad used to say that,’ or a kid that comes up says, ‘You’re almost as good as my grandfather,’ you know, I love to hear the stories that people come up with,” Kling said.
Although Kling enjoys engaging with his audience and relating humor to real-world problems, he hopes that listeners will eventually add this pantheon of art, culture and family to their lives.
“Ultimately, in a story, I’m hoping you’re not hearing my stories, but that I’m conjuring your stories that I’m bringing memories that you bring in there that you haven’t thought about in years,” Kling said.
Kling would like listeners to attend the performance with an open heart and an openness to laugh.
“There’s also going to be parts that’ll hopefully move people as well, and just discover more about ourselves at the same time.”
