Little person, big-time stand-up

Nic Novicki leads a comedy show and features creatives with disabilities.

- DANIEL KOHN

Nearly two decades ago, Nic Novicki was another young comedian living in Queens, testing his mettle in the competitive New York City comedy scene. There, he shared not just an apartment, but a living room separated by a sheet with another up-and-comer trying to make a name for himself: Nate Bargatze. They shared an apartment with fellow comedians Dustin Chafin and Rich Aronovitch.

Fast forward 20 years, and Bargatze is one of the most popular comedians around, selling out arenas across the country. And he hasn't forgotten his old friend. Novicki frequently tours with him, bringing those humble beginnings to larger audiences than they ever imagined, including taking their act to the high seas on the Nateland cruise this February.

"We would perform shows together every night, and then I would stay with them when I would go back to New York [from L.A.]," Novicki tells The Times over Zoom. "It started with five people at a show in New York, and then clubs, and suddenly, things got bigger and bigger. It's been one of my biggest thrills to step out on stage and see that many people." As a little person standing 3 feet 10, Novicki has a unique perspective from a physical and emotional standpoint, which he brings to his comedy. Some of his most rewarding projects have involved his work with Easterseals, the nation's largest disability services organization. With them, he's organized the Disability Film Challenge, which launched nearly 13 years ago.

It's an annual five-day filmmaking competition where people with disabilities are either in front of or behind the camera, and make a film related to a specific genrethis year, for example, the theme was thriller and suspense.