10
S moke S ignals
APRIL 15, 2019
‘Sean loves to make people laugh’
COMIC continued
from front page
nerve-wracking at first.”
The event is a benefit for the
Sheridan Rotary Club’s Communi-
ty Relief Fund. With approximately
50 people in attendance, it was
Gerbrandt’s largest audience ever.
However, with family and friends
cheering him on, the young comic
settled his nerves and got ready to
rock his first big show.
“I practice my routine in advance
and memorize my jokes, so when I
go out onstage I have everything
committed to memory,” he says.
Gerbrandt’s go-to joke? “I always
say that I am not actually a stand-
up comic, I’m a sit-down comic,
and then I get into my routine that
way.”
Gerbrandt says so far he has
not suffered from stage fright or
forgotten his lines, and he enjoys
connecting with an audience.
“When I first make them laugh,
it gives me a hit of adrenaline and
then I really get going,” he says. “I
try to pay attention to my audience
and form jokes they will like.”
Gerbrandt says he finds his come-
dic material from observing daily
life and interactions with different
Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez
Sean Gerbrandt, 12, son of Tribal Council member Kathleen George,
performs some of his stand-up comedy at his Sheridan home on Monday,
April 8. On March 16, Gerbrandt performed in the West Valley's Got Talent
competition.
people, such as grandparents, par-
ents, classmates and teachers.
“I just hear little things here and
there that might potentially be a
joke, then I make it into one,” he
says. “I really enjoy the feeling after
a show begins, when I can let go and
do a really good job.”
Gerbrandt is the son of Tribal
Certified Application Assisters
at the Health & Wellness Center
Cheyeanne Zimmer is now available to assist with recertification
and applications for the Oregon Health Plan. She can be reached
at 503-879-1359 or cheyeanne.zimmer@grandronde.org.
Leah Bailey also is a Certified Application Assister available to
help. She can be reached at 503-879-2197
or leah.bailey@grandronde.org. 
Council member Kathleen George
and Matt Gerbrandt. Rick George,
the Tribe’s Planning Department
director, is his stepfather.
Kathleen George describes her
son as a natural storyteller.
“Sean loves to make people laugh
and has been a natural storyteller
since he learned to speak,” she
says. “Maybe it’s to be expected.
He comes from two great storytell-
ing cultures, Native American and
Irish. Since the talent shows he
has gotten an offer to perform at
a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in
Portland that hundreds of people
attend every year and is eager to
try stand-up again. I can’t wait to
see where he takes his passion for
performing.”
In his spare time, Gerbrandt
enjoys playing with his black lab,
Vinnie, and video games alone or
with 15-year-old brother Noah. His
favorite subjects in school are social
studies and language arts.
“They really interest me and I
get to learn about cool subjects,”
he says.
Gerbrandt first became inter-
ested in stand-up comedy after
watching TV shows like “America’s
Got Talent.”
“They were all having a blast and
living their best life, and I wanted
to do that, too,” he says.
Gerbrandt says he gets his sense
of humor from his father.
“He is always telling jokes,” he
says.
But the bravery to get onstage is
inspired by his mother.
“She taught me that even though
it might not seem like you are do-
ing great, no matter what, you are
going to make it,” Gerbrandt says.
He enjoys how talent shows give
young performers an opportunity to
practice speaking in front of a large
group of people.
“I really love how it gets kids used
to talking in front of live audienc-
es,” Gerbrandt says. “I’m sure it
will help me out in life, too.”
Although he intends to keep do-
ing stand-up comedy as a hobby, his
first love is writing and he is hoping
to pursue a career in that field.
“I am working on my first novel
right now,” he says. “It’s about kids
who go to school and find a vessel
that will transport them to differ-
ent places.” 
Paid ad
Respect yourself. Protect yourself.
Get yourself tested.
Polk County Public Health services:
Reproductive Health Clinic
Other Services:
• Personalized birth control options
based on your needs
• STD screening, testing
and treatment
• Immunizations
• Home visiting program
for children
• HIV Case management
• Annual exams
• Pap and breast exams
• Pregnancy planning and testing
182 SW Academy St., Suite 302
Dallas, OR 97338
Details at: www.co.polk.or.us • Call for appointment: 503-623-8175
Paid ad