Laughter will fill the Performing Arts Center tomorrow night as comedian “Big Chris” hits the stage.

Many students have seen or heard of GSU’s own funny man Christopher Pugh, who is involved in several different activities around campus. Pugh has been spotted as the Minority Advisement Program Coordinator as well as the Interim Director at the Multicultural Student Center. He has also been the opening act for previous comedy shows here at our school.

Pugh, nicknamed “Big Chris,” got his start in the business of being funny during his high school days.

“I was making people laugh in high school for dollars,” Pugh said, recalling his comedic beginnings. “I was basically a jokester.”

In addition to lending a helping hand to many other programs and organizations at GSU, Pugh has been involved in a few comedic performances like last year’s Laugh ‘Til It Hurts, which featured comedians Red Bone and Michael Blackson. He has even had a few comedy routines of his own.

With seven years now under his belt, Pugh began his performances locally as well as out of state.

“I’ve performed since 2005 in Statesboro, Atlanta, North Carolina and Florida,” Pugh said.

Back in 2005, there was a club called Apex in Statesboro, which Pugh remembers as the site for his first performance.

Now in 2012, Pugh is back again with his stand-up comedy routine titled “Painfully Obvious.” This time, he intends to make a point by making people laugh.

“Some ‘obvious’ things affecting youth are being ignored by everyone,” Pugh said, giving a reason behind his comedy’s title.

The youth of America faces problems each and every day that call for some serious thinking. Things such as growing up and becoming independent, learning about one’s self, and even school are problems that affect every race, gender and social class.

“My main goal is for people to know their worth,” Pugh said, summarizing his principal message for the masses.

Those who will enjoy the show from the audience should start practicing their laugh for tomorrow evening and be prepared to laugh until they are out of breath because that is exactly Pugh’s intention. Audience members may even walk away from the show quoting some of Pugh’s material.

“I want them to leave with a feeling that they learned something and to feel good about it,” Pugh said.

“Big Chris” sees his “Painfully Obvious” comedy routine as another step in the right direction toward his career.

Outside of making people “laugh out loud,” Pugh sees being a motivational speaker as another career option.

“Eventually,” Pugh said of how soon his comedic career will be in full effect. “But I really believe I can do motivation speaking with a comedic twist.”

GSU has seen successful speakers like this before, notably with the recent Martin Luther King Day speaker, Dick Gregory.

“I want to educate and motivate like an ‘edutainor’,” Pugh said in his concluding thoughts on his future career plans. “What I see, in my point of view, I have been progressing and I want to see others to as well.”

Big Chris’ “Painfully Obvious” performance will be at the PAC tomorrow night at 7 p.m.