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. 

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

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).

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.”