As part of its Ask a Grown series, Rookie Magazine had Ira shared some of his children’s-entertainment skills while answering reader questions.

When an aspiring stand-up fails to express his true feelings, his anxiety comes out in increasingly funny and dangerous sleepwalking incidents.

Ira gives a commencement speech denouncing the very idea of commencement speeches. He also tries to give helpful pointers to the grads. 

David Sedaris, David Rakoff, Tig Notaro, Glynn Washington, Terry Gross, Mike Birbiglia, Ryan Knighton, dance by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, music by OK Go (who created an app so the audience could play along with the band).

Mike Birbiglia directed this short film — starring him and Fresh Air host Terry Gross — for our “Invisible Made Visible” live show.

Ira writes: “I did this interview in the press tour for Sleepwalk with Me. Every now and then, I run into someone who makes movies – or tries to make them – who tells me how much they related to it.”