Humorist David Sedaris reads from his collection of wit and wisdom Friday

David Sedaris, author and master of satire, performs in Walker Theatre on April 19.
David Sedaris, author and master of satire, performs in Walker Theatre on April 19.

If you go

› What: David Sedaris› When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 19› Where: Walker Theatre inside Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.› Admission: $45, $60, $75› Online: tivolichattanooga.com

It wasn't until David Sedaris was about 28, and he read something he'd written in his journal to classmates at the Art Institute of Chicago and got a laugh, that he ever considered writing and reading for other people's enjoyment.

"Then someone asked me to take part in a reading at his loft," he said. "Then someone else asked, and one thing led to another, and the audiences got bigger and I enjoyed it. It had never occurred to me that I could make a living off of reading out loud. I couldn't think of anyone else that was doing it."

photo David Sedaris will read from his humorous writings in Walker Theatre on Friday, April 19. / Photograph by Ingrid Christie

Today he would be the role model for anyone who wants to make a living writing and reading, especially humor. He will perform Friday, April 19, at the Walker Theatre.

Sedaris has fashioned a career out of his funny autobiographical stories and social commentary. He's written books ("Barrel Fever," "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day"), written for newspapers and magazines, and he makes regular radio appearances. He has written plays with his sister, Amy Sedaris, who is a well-known comedian and entertainer.

Sedaris said he loves reading from his works because "it's the laziest form of show business. I have no interest in memorizing things and looking people in the eye. And I like the idea of reading, with words coming out of my mouth that I had written to be read."

He perfected his performance craft by watching other people, learning from what they did well and what they did poorly.

"I would watch others read and think, 'Why am I uncomfortable? Why do I already want to go home?' I learned a lot."

He learned never to say things like "This is the first of 15 poems I'm going to read" or to carry onstage a stack of note cards or a sheaf of papers because that's what people would focus on. How many are there?

Sedaris was recently inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, something he didn't learn of for quite awhile.

"Don't you dare mention it," he said with a laugh.

The academy notified him by letter, which was mailed to his home in West Sussex, England. But the home had no heat, so he hadn't been there in awhile.

"It's huge to me. I look at the other writers - Jeffrey Eugenides and Toni Morrison - and I think 'What on Earth? These people made a horrible mistake,' but I found out later lots of people feel that way."

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.

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