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The Second City Network is talking to some of our faves about what it's like to be a funny human woman in 2015. First up, the phenomenal Lisa Beasley. If you haven't seen her yet in the e.t.c.'s "Soul Brother, Where Art Thou?", then you need to take a long hard look at your life and your choices. --LK
Your name:
Lisa Beasley
How you're making people laugh these days:
Current ensemble member at Second City e.t.c. performing in [its] 39th revue, "Soul Brother, Where Art Thou?"
When was the first time you remember getting a laugh?
I honestly don't remember the first time I got a laugh, but I do specifically remember that in middle school, I had a tough time making friends and felt like I was being laughed AT a lot. When I got to high school, I remember feeling the difference between people laughing WITH me and not at me. My senior class voted me "most humorous."
When did you realize that being funny gave you power?
In high school, I discovered that ANY emotion your bring into a room can control that environment. If you walk in all gloomy-doomy, you can set a sad tone. I often used humor at school to break the tension or cheer someone up.
What’s been the biggest risk you’ve taken thus far with your comedy? (And WTF does a “risk” in comedy even mean to you?)
I don't think I would call "being honest with myself" a "risk"... Being comfortable with your truth and your point of view is the most honest way to get in touch with what you can bring to a comedic table. To me, taking a risk in comedy just means overcoming something YOU have problems dealing with. The audience doesn't know what you are personally risking. I thought taking off my clothes for a scene once was a risk, and then I discovered it was just a personal fear that I needed to overcome--but I don't feel like I risked anything in the process.
What have you found to be the most intimidating or frightening thing about being a human woman in comedy?
Human woman. It feels good to be a human woman. I can bleed five days straight and not die. I can grow another human woman inside of my body. Nothing about being human or a woman frightens me in comedy. Now, there are things that frighten me about being a human and a woman just walking the streets of America, but in comedy I feel safe and powerful. I can say and do whatever I want, and if someone has an issue with me being a "woman in comedy..."well, I ain't got nothing to do with that.
What advice would you give another young woman who was considering pursuing comedy—be is as a profession, a hobby, or even just looking for the confidence to be class clown?
Practically, if you want to make a living with comedy, get a job so you can eat. Then you can concentrate on YOUR TRUTH. Start with what makes YOU laugh. What humor do YOU see in situations? Don't think about what the audience, listener or viewer wants to hear. There is a group of people somewhere that want, need to hear YOUR point of view. The way you see the world is the most important thing.
What’s a question about comedy that you wish someone would ask you instead of boring-ass ones like “why do people say women aren’t funny?’”
I wish someone would ask me questions like, "Is it hard to write satirical pieces about tragic events?" "How does it feel to be so pretty?" "How often do you cry while writing jokes?" "If you could do a tight 45 on any planet, what would it be and why?"
Who are the women making you laugh hardest right now?
Tracee Ellis Ross is one of my faves. Her Instagram is so personable, and she's just so free and silly. As far as people that I actually know, the ladies that appear in the It's Megan videos always crack me up, and I look forward to new releases. My momma is actually pretty funny.
Girl's Day - watch more funny videos
