Learning from successful alumni is an invaluable experience for current students, and Department of Cinematic Arts Professor Dean Bakopoulos was able to make that happen. UI alum Brooks Wheelan returned to campus for a series of special events, giving students direct insight into pursuing a career in comedy and writing. His advice and stories left a lasting impact, inspiring students to see new possibilities for their own creative paths.

In addition to visiting several classes throughout the day, Wheelan participated in an Q&A session moderated by Bakopoulos and held office hours in Professor Bakopoulos' office. Students not only had the opportunity to introduce themselves and ask Wheelan all of their burning questions, but also learn from the successful UI alum by listening to his advice and experiences. From growing up in a small town in rural Iowa, to having a full-time career in comedy, students were able to see the unconventional path led by passion that Wheelan followed to creative success. 

Though Wheelan always knew he had a passion for stand-up, he pursued a degree in Biomedical Engineering here at the University of Iowa. During his time as a student, Wheelan would begin to pursue stand-up, and eventually made the jump to comedy full-time. He went on to become a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live, and has since built a career in stand-up, acting, podcasting, and television, including a Comedy Central special, special appearances on Conan and Late Night with Seth Myers, as well as guest roles on shows like A.P. Bio, I Think You Should Leave, and Girls. His stand-up special, Alive in Alaska, was hailed as one of the best specials of 2024 by the New York Times.

"It's a wonderful experience for our students to hear from successful alumni like Brooks Wheelan, in large part because a creative career is not linear or predictable. I think it's both inspiring and comforting to understand that there are many ways to make a life as an artist, and that a contemporary artist usually works in many modes, genres, and forms." - Dean Bakopoulos

Wheelan claimed that his love for comedy and stand-up writing stems from there always being room to keep improving the show. He advised students to keep writing consistently, noting that not everything will be your best but improvement comes with practice. He emphasized that choosing topics you genuinely care about, maintaining a strong work ethic, and developing the ability to handle tough conversations are all skills that are essential to become a successful writer. He also highlighted the value of drawing from personal experiences, using campus resources for support, and clearly establishing the basics of a scene—such as setting, characters, and purpose—when writing.

One student who felt they gained a lasting influence from Wheelan's campus visit was Tyndal Hervey, a triple major in Screenwriting Arts, Cinema, and Theatre Arts. Along with hearing from Wheelan in his screenwriting class, Hervey also met with Wheelan during his office hours to learn more about the path Wheelan took to find his success. It was a powerful experience for Hervey to connect himself with such a successful comedian like Wheelan through a shared starting point as a student at the University of Iowa. Knowing that there is a path from where Hervey is now that leads to the success and achievements Wheelan has was extremely reassuring to Hervey and many students alike. 

"I love comedy and I would kill for the chance to be able to thrive in that world, so I asked [Wheelan] how he got started with stand-up. He mentioned he drove to Chicago whenever he could, and that's where he met other extremely talented comedians. The two things I gathered from that answer are that hard work and sacrifices payoff, and community is the only way onward. I really like knowing that hard work and passion are rewarded." - Tyndal Hervey

Wheelan's emphasis on personality in writing had a profound impact on student Lydia Meth, a double major in Screenwriting Arts and Cinema. One of the key takeaways Meth derived from the event was the importance of having a personal connection in your stories, learning that those connections make the most successful pitches. Wheelan described that producers want to know why you should be telling the story and why no one else is a qualified as you to tell it. After learning from Wheelan how personal writers should be when they are pitching themselves to producers, Meth noted that she will carry that advice into her future endeavors. She intends to make it a point to have a personal anecdote she can relate back to her stories, ensuring she has a strong argument as to why she should be the one to write them. 

After his university-affiliated events concluded, Wheelan performed a 45-minute stand-up set, followed by a meet-and-greet at Alley Cat in downtown Iowa City. The show was hosted by Cinematic Arts alum Tadas VisGirda ’24, who kicked things off with a short warm-up set before Wheelan took to the stage. Since the show was free, Meth and other students were able to gain perspective on another aspect of Wheelan's work; the performance. For many in attendance, it was a rare opportunity to see a professional comedian in such an accessible environment, further enriching their appreciation of his craft.

"I really enjoyed his performance at Alley Cat. In the Q&A, he mentioned his process behind introducing new content and revising old content, and it was really cool to see that play out live. I think it's great to see successful individuals talk about their habits and processes and then show them in action" - Lydia Meth

Wheelan’s return to campus ultimately served as more than just a visit, it was a full-circle moment that bridged aspiration and reality for current students. By sharing both the uncertainty and determination that shaped his journey, Wheelan offered a candid reminder that creative success is rarely straightforward, but always possible with persistence, authenticity, and community. For those in attendance, the day reinforced to students that the path forward may look different for everyone, but with passion and dedication, it can still lead exactly where they hope to go.