Whether it be holding your own against a drunk heckler or having one of the best sets of your career in front of a surprisingly sold-out Tuesday night crowd at the Hollywood Improv, in comedy, you always have to be ready to succeed when the timing is unexpected. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Devyn Perry. The Fort Worth, TX native shares with us some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and why she owns the laughs.
Name: Devyn Perry
Hometown: Ft. Worth, TX/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter: @DevynPerryy
Years in Comedy: 1.5
Comedic Influences: Jim Carrey, Gilda Radner, Kristen Wiig, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, and Iliza Shlesinger
Favorite Comedy Album: Gilda Radner “Live from New York”
Favorite Comedy Special: Iliza Shlesinger “Elder Millenial”
Favorite Comedy Films: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bridesmaids, Big Daddy, and Flubber
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Silicon Valley and Workaholics
Favorite Comedic Character: Schmidt (New Girl)
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Observational situations
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: The audience that laughs.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Original Room in The Comedy Store.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I loved creating characters as a kid and performing in the living room. I have always loved people who were funny and weren’t afraid to be silly unlike everyone else. My dad and uncle are the two funniest people I have ever met. They never had the opportunity to pursue comedy as a career, so I knew that I was meant to do comedy since I was a child!
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember being extremely nervous. I had never really held a microphone before and I accidentally switched it off in the middle of performing. It was SO embarrassing.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I do a lot of observational comedy as well as character/improv work. I like doing crowd-work to make the crowd feel they are having fun like I am on stage!
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I tend to write in the morning before checking any social media for at least an hour even if it’s all junk. Just to get the brain processing. I do a lot of writing on stage as well though, I’ll have a general bare-bones bit on stage and add new tags or feed off of what the crowd is liking. I record my sets to listen and recall what works and what doesn’t. It is pretty cringy but it’s what works for me.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I live in the entertainment capital of the world. Comedy is great out here, there are always amazing opportunities. Seeing the pros are always great, I am very lucky.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success for me in comedy is not just about money. It’s about the flexibility of different opportunities you get from comedy. There are just so many different levels of success. Being able to do what you live and make a living is an example of success in the world of comedy in my eyes.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Everyone I perform with teaches and inspires me in different ways.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
So far my most memorable moment would be the moment I was able to perform at the Improv. It was a Tuesday, and I didn’t think many people would show, so I went and passed out tickets by hand. It ended up being a sold-out show on a Tuesday. That was an amazing feeling.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I have learned to not be so tough on myself because EVERYONE has failures. Even the most well-known in the industry still have failures. You just need to get up and think differently. Failure just shows room for success. I have found talents I didn’t know I had through failure.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
It’s a very weird thing. I’m actually a pretty shy person when it comes to talking about my talents or making others laugh one on one. It’s a very vulnerable thing which is also funny to think about.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It has been scary but in a good way. Connections are very important, and being kind. You can be the funniest person in the world, but if you’re a jerk no one is going to want to work with you. It has its ups and downs like any career choice, but remembering the big moments keep you going through the rough moments. I’m also still only a little over a year in, so I know I still have a lot to learn.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I have no idea.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Keep going, have fun, and be yourself.” I think about this all the time. Also “follow what the deep concave voice is telling you in your gut”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Unfazed
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I was at a bar one night and my friend had recognized a newer’ Disney star. I walked up to them and said “Don’t turn out like the others.” He laughed and it was a funny moment because most of them end up hooked on something.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Laundry mat, pizza place, and parks.
A Devyn Perry Fun Fact:
I love musicals and would love to be in one someday. I sing about everything I do, doing the dishes, getting dressed. People get annoyed with it but I don’t care.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I have a lot of goals in comedy. My ultimate goal though is to be a writer or cast member on Saturday Night Live.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Just be yourself. You’re unique for a reason. Don’t try to be like any other comic, be the best version of yourself and the rest will happen. Do what you think is funny.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I hope the world begins to laugh again and not be so offended.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
New Girl! I LOVE this show, my personality is almost identical to the main character that Zooey Deschanel plays. I would want to create an episode where they go on a big vacation to somewhere tropical. Someone gets lost, too drunk, and even put in jail. With the characters on this show, I think it would be hilarious. The characters are written so well and so unique.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Any club, I love all clubs for all different reasons. Three comedians I would love to perform with would be Jim Carrey, Iliza Shlesinger, and John Mulaney. It would be a very interesting show because they are all very different, but in my comedy personally, I am a bit of all of them.
What’s next for you:
That’s the question that we are all asking. I would love to be writing on a sitcom and performing improv regularly in different states.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Life is too short! Cliche, I know, but really we all take life too seriously when we all really have no clue what’s next for us.
Follow Devyn Perry on all forms of social media at:
Instagram/Twitter: @DevynPerryy
