All it took to begin his career in comedy​ was, admittedly, being a bad student.

     In college at SUNY Oswego, Roman Pierce rarely attended a theater class, which required 20 hours of theater work.

     "Unfortunately, being the terrible student I am, I missed everything," said the 42-year old Franklin resident who grew up in Syracuse.

     The only way to make up the hours he missed was to perform at an open mic at a local bar hosted by the theater professor after he "basically begged" her to give him the credits.

     "The first night - I didn't eat for two days before, I was so nervous," he said.

     But after a few laughs, Pierce felt more at ease.  "It's exhilarating when you get a laugh," he said.  "It's like a reward for the hard work.  It's hard to write a joke."

     After those three nights back in the late 1990s and after graduating with a bachelors degree in criminal justice, Pierce moved to New England in 1999, but being a single father prevented him from going to clubs at night to perform.

     In 2006, when his son was a teenager and able to be left alone at night, Pierce began seeking out open mic nights at comedy clubs.  "I started contacting different clubs in the Boston area," he said.

     He became a regular at Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault in Boston and a regular on The Steve Katsos Show, a late night show broadcasted on local television from Arlington.

     Pierce'e brand of comedy entails making light of his own life, his family, news, and general observations, and admittedly, involves a lot of "adult content" and is influenced by comedians Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Louis CK.  

     In a seven-minute video posted on his website, Pierce riffs on his life experiences, including his son's high school handbook which he said lays out several punishments - a five-day suspension for bringing any peanut butter-related foods to school and a three-day suspension for bringing a gun.

     When told by the principal that some students can die after being exposed to peanuts, Pierce says, "Well then I guess it's a good thing that my son isn't allergic to bullets."

     Thanks to his poor college attendance, the 42-year old employee of the state Department of Developmental Services now has another opportunity to make his name in the comedy scene.

     He is one of 12 comics competing for the title of Last Comix Standing at the Comix at Foxwoods Comedy Club.  The three-month competition began with 120 comedians, but there are now only 12, including Pierce and other New England locals.

     Pierce's chance to advance out of the semifinals round is on Sunday at 8 p.m. at the club.  After the semifinal rounds, which ends on the 27th, the final round is held on Oct. 4.

     After the show Sunday, win or lose, Pierce, a father of three, said he already plans to indulge in what Foxwoods has to offer. "I'll probably play some blackjack," he said.