Comedian Alex Thomas started writing professionally for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and worked on movies and television shows such as “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “Family Guy.” Tonight, he will bring his stand-up act to Woodruff Auditorium for an event sponsored by Student Union Activities.

Q: I know you got your first big break as a choreographer on the show “In Living Color.” What was it like to make the transition to comedy?

A:It was kind of a natural progression because I was always the silly guy. I could dance, but I was always silly. That’s how I met Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans and they were like, “You can dance, but you’re hysterical. You should try stand-up comedy.” And I was like, “Do comedians get paid?” and they were like, “Look it up.” Next thing I knew, dancing was done and I was on stage telling jokes.

Q: How challenging is it to find jokes in every day life?

A: I take stuff that I’ll just be having a conversation about and next thing you know, there’s these two or three people laughing their butts off and I’m like, “Oh my gosh I gotta take this to the stage. I have to take this to the stage.” So it’s not necessarily the situation that’s funny; you find things inside that are hysterical.

Q: What has been your favorite part of performing?

A: I love being in front of the camera. I love movies the most. Stand-up comedy is great because it’s the instant gratification by an audience laughing, but there’s nothing like when people recognize you for movies.

Q: What’s been your most memorable performance as a comedian?

A: My most memorable performance as a comedian was opening up for Bill Cosby — you know, a comedy legend. And I opened up for him at the Lincoln Center in New York, and it’s a world-famous, one of the most prestigious, theaters in the history of theaters. I did 15 minutes to open up for him so that was a big deal. You know, that’s like if Kobe Bryant met Michael Jordan for the first time or when P. Diddy met Michael Jackson for the first time. For comedians, Bill Cosby is like Jesus.

Q: What are the best and worst parts of being onstage?

A: There’s no bad part of being onstage. The best thing is, it’s a great feeling to go up in front of a crowd of people, huge or not, and make them smile and laugh. If comedy is known as the toughest thing in the entertainment business, it’s like we’re natural psychologists. It’s like I have to go into a room full of two, three hundred people I don’t know. I don’t know what you’ve been going through with your life, I don’t know what you went through in your day, but I gotta make you smile and laugh.

I love performing in front of college students because of their energy, you know? A lot of them, it’s their first time being in front of a comedian, in front of a live performance. You know, they’re away from home, they’re just eager to laugh and it’s just great.

Q: What can we expect from Wednesday’s show?

A: Oh my God, tell everybody wear a diaper because they’re guaranteed to pee on themselves. I’ll tell you they’ll have a ball. Tell everybody to come out and buckle up because they’re going for a funny, funny ride.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most about coming here?

A: Just getting the opportunity to hang out with the students, you know what I mean? Getting that youthful energy. I love that. It’s therapeutic for me.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. and is free for KU students.

— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes