Making the leap: Rob Haze talks moving to New York

Atlanta has been a great training ground for comedy. Smaller than New York or Los Angeles, but big and vibrant enough for young comics to cut their teeth and work on their craft on a daily basis. Comics such as Andy Sandford, and Joe Zimmerman got their start here and have since moved on to the bigger ponds. Rob Haze has long been a staple of the Atlanta comedy scene and a favorite amongst audiences and comics. Haze is a regular face at Star Bar, the Laughing Skull, and the Atlanta Improv; he even headlined the latter earlier this year, a rare honor for a local. He has named Best Comedian in CL's Best of Atlanta 2014 issue, and one of http://clatl.com/atlanta/20PeopletoWatch2015/Page20 People to Watch in 2015. Haze has opened for so many amazing comics including Dave Chapelle, was a finalist for NBC's Stand Up For Diversity in 2012, performed at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, and this March he made history by being the first local comedian to take home first place at the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival. 
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? It wasn't much of a surprise to see Haze take home the grand prize, while nobody bats a thousand, Haze comes pretty close. His cool, calm demeanor onstage, cleverly written jokes, and his encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture has made him standout from the masses, poised for something big. His original voice landed him a spot in the Top 100 on this season's "Last Comic Standing" on NBC. His stock continues to rise.
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? Now, Haze is ready to make the next big step in his career and is moving to New York. Before  last show in the city (for a while, at least) at Laughing Skull, CL had the opportunity to chat with Haze about the move and his time in Atlanta.
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???? How long have you been doing stand-up?
? Five years. I started the summer Michael Jackson died.
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? What's your favorite memory or gig from your time performing in Atlanta?
?My favorite memory had to have been the epic dance battle with comedian Yedoye Travis.?embed-1It was silly, it made no sense, and it was some of the most fun I've ever had. We just went; it wasn't planned and the stakes were to wear cable knit sweaters the rest of the winter.
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? When did you feel ready to move on to NY? What factors played into your decision to move?
I realized as long as I put NY on a pedestal I will never be ready. I just had to make that move.
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? Why did you decide on NY versus LA or other cities?
More stand-up to do. I love stand-up and I didn't want to sacrifice doing stand-up in order to broaden my horizons.
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? As a comic, what will you miss the most about Atlanta?
I will miss the great shows and audiences. I will miss the Atlanta comedy community so much. Some of my best friends I met through doing comedy here.
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? You can catch Rob Haze on the NBC's "Last Comic Standing," premiering Wed., July 22, at 10 p.m.