Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Adrián Minkowicz, also known as “The Argentinean,” is an award-winning comedian based in New York. He performs stand-up in English and Spanish with equal success, touring internationally, performing in major clubs and festivals like “Just for Laughs” and the “Fringe” in Edinburgh. He has been featured guest on talk-shows and done sets on TV in Europe, South America and in the USA, on shows like “the Artie Lange Show” and “Gotham Comedy Live.” He also opened for renowned comedians like Artie Lange and Godfrey.
“I met Artie in the comedy circuit, at the Comic Strip Live or the Comedy Cellar,” recalls Minkowicz. “He thought that my story was interesting enough to bring me to his show and he interviewed me three times. I recently had the honor to open for him at the Count Basie in New Jersey. His fans really love him and he deserves it. He is not only a very talented and hilarious man, but a really nice and giving person.”
A prolific published writer, Minkowicz is also the author of several theatre plays, TV scripts, articles for magazines and newspapers, and sketches for radio.
“When I started living in New York many years ago I felt that I need it to complement my formation as an actor, playwright and comedian with film studies and I decided to attend New York Film Academy,” said the NYFA alumnus. “It has been really helpful for my career for several reasons. I’m not only a comedian but I’m also a published playwright in Argentina. I run a theater and dance company with my wife called ‘Human Works’ based in Brussels. Our last project ‘Dry Act #2: South Domino’ is a piece about games divided in three parts: a documentary, a performance and a board game that I invented. I would never have been able to make the documentary without attending NYFA.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHacSgZBwbY&feature=youtu.be
In addition to his work in New York, Minkowicz holds a yearly workshop for professional comedians in Buenos Aires, sharing his experiences as an international and New York based comedian. The workshop is given as a ‘writer’s room’ where the participants have the possibility of developing material together with colleagues. “I receive a lot of questions about whether you can translate material from one language to another, and my answer is normally no,” says Minkowicz. “The reason is that people will not perceive me the same way in Argentina as they do in the United States or United Kingdom. Therefore, the comedian should always be aware of what different peoples perception of you are and act in consequence, not necessarily giving them what they want, but you could prove them wrong in their opinions.”
Minkowicz will be featured in tonight’s April 27 open mic show at the New York Film Academy Theater at 17 Battery Place in lower Manhattan, hosted by NYFA Instructor Criag Fox. The evening begins at 7pm and includes a night of stand-up, live music, and poetry where NYFA students have the opportunity to share the stage with NYC pros.
On May 18, Minkowicz is producing his own show called “The Argentinean’s Rancho” at the New York Comedy Club. (Tickets are only $10 with the code “Rancho.”)
He will be performing for an hour at the “Best Newcomer” all August at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. It’s a solo show with stand-up, film, and music, featuring known and not so known comedians from around the globe “advising” him on what is the best way to win a prize a the festival.