Atlanta-based comedian Hank Denson finds his footing in comedy's shifting industry

On the “City Lights” series “Speaking of Comedy,” Atlanta’s funniest locals share insights on the perks and perils of their profession. This edition features comedian Hank Denson.

Denson was going to school for electronic science in Connecticut and his brother was a promoter for Def Jam. Denson was funny but had never done standup. His brother encouraged him do his first show, and he did a 25-minute set in exchange for free drinks. “Crazy!” Denson said about the experience. 

“Challenges for me … people don’t know who I am. That’s it in a nutshell. After they see me they’re like ‘Yo! How come you’re not signed?!’ That has been my challenge, the exposure…” Denson said. “My challenges are how the trends change so fast and where people get comedy from.”