When performing comedy, the comic’s main concern is the audience’s moment-by-moment reaction. Nothing’s more difficult than a tough crowd. But every once in a while you get that enthusiastic, supportive audience member with a laugh so honest it excites everyone around them.

Would it throw you off if this perfect audience member was also your competition?

Usually, positive reactions from your competition are stifled. But according to local comedian Lee Rowley, no matter what, 29-year-old professional comedian Beth Lewinski is the best person to perform with and for.

After studying the arts and anthropology at Notre Dame University, Lewinski was settling back into Milwaukee in 2007 and wanted to find a way to meet new friends. For years, acting coaches suggested she try improvisational comedy, and Lewinski decided it was time to check it out.

“I was always a fan of comedy,” Lewinski said. “I did comedic plays and musicals and I tend to get the comedic roles, but I never had any training.”

After visiting the ComedySportz Web site and discovering their improvisational classes, Lewinski immediately enrolled. From that point on, she was hooked.

“I don’t think I let a weekend go by where I didn’t at least come to one show,” Lewinski said, referring to the live improvisational performances at ComedySportz.

She also spent about eight months working as their “ballet parker,” a wacky ballet dancer who leads you to your parking spot, before she became a regular player.

Lewinski then joined various improvisational troupes, along with sketch comedy and stage acting at the Alchemist Theatre, 2569 S. Kinnickinnic. Lewinski now performs stand-up comedy at ComedySportz, The Cactus Club, Mikey’s Skylight Room, The Milwaukee Comedy Festival and Festa Italiana.

Within two years, Lewinski has completely immersed herself into the world of professional comedy.

“She’s the type of overachiever that you want to hang out with, so maybe some of that will rub off on you,” Rowley said.

Milwaukee comedian Alex Grindeland said Lewinski remains grounded despite her success.

“She’s also found her common voice, which is rare.” Grindeland said. “Yet, she’s very humble.”

With her nerdy yet witty story-telling sense of humor, Lewinski’s very likable stage presence and matriarchal personality sets her apart from most local comedians. Lewinski does not think of her comedy career as something to be boastful about, but rather as a way to learn more about her own talents and improve herself as an individual.

Lewinski explained how getting into comedy has been a great complement to her professional career when it comes to public speaking and understanding her audience.

“[Comedy] makes you better at social situations,” Lewinski said. “It makes you more adaptable.”

Like in the professional world, in comedy you have to be nice, work hard and be reliable.

“If you’re not willing to show up and work,” Lewinski said, “there’ll be somebody who is.”

Knowing how competitive the comedy market is, Lewinski feels blessed to perform every day with such talented people and teachers.

“On a regular basis I get to make people laugh,” Lewinski said. “It’s the best work I can think of.”