As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Jolie Dudley. The New York, NY native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Jolie Dudley
Hometown: Waynesboro, VA/New York, NY
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @jolieedudley
Years in Comedy: 3
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Best of Fest at Electric Comedy Festival, Burbank Comedy Festival, Characters Welcome, and “Must Love Dogs and Comedy”
Comedic Influences: Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, Issa Rae, Ashley Nicole Black, & Ilana Glazer
Favorite Comedy Album: Bo Burnham “Inside”
Favorite Comedy Special: Hannah Gadsby “Nanette”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Hot Rod
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Arrested Development
Favorite Comedic Character: Leslie Knope
Favorite City to Perform In: New York (but anywhere that will give me stage time, honestly!)
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Body image, my journey with sobriety, being in an interracial relationship, and growing up in the south
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: People who are engaged/present and willing to not take themselves too seriously.
Favorite Comedy Club: Asylum, Caveat, and Brooklyn Comedy Collective
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve always loved consuming comedy but never was able to study it in a formal setting until I moved to NYC. Once I took a couple of improv and writing courses, I was hooked!
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember how supportive and encouraging everybody was! I performed my first live, in-person open mic at a Women & LGBTQIA+ designated space and was so thankful I did. It was a very welcoming and encouraging experience that unfortunately, not everybody has.
How would you describe your comedic style:
My comedic style is definitely rooted heavily in anecdotes, stories, and experiences with an underlying feminist agenda.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I try to write down everything – whether it be on my phone, in a notebook, on my computer. Any idea that crosses my mind, might be a joke, character idea, or larger premise, but I make sure to write it down so I won’t forget. A lot of times these ideas pop up right before I go to sleep so if I don’t write them down they are gone forever into the abyss.
I will then elaborate on these notes in a long free write where I dump everything I’m thinking or feeling about them onto a page. Next, I will sift through the info to try to write more structured jokes out of them, and then I will try them out in front of others at either an open mic or on social media.
I really like spaces that offer feedback from other comics so we can brainstorm, pitch, and punch up together!
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The New York comedy scene is definitely a hustle. There are a lot of different places to try your comedy out, but also a lot of people fighting for that stage time. I try to spend most of my time in writing groups and at open mics that are women-friendly and supportive because unfortunately there are still a lot of places that aren’t.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
My personal definition of success in the world of comedy is finding your comedic voice, your supportive community, and joy.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Some comedic peers who inspire me personally and professionally are: Ricky Sim, Nomie K Baker, Ann Van Epps, Mistress K.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Starting my own idea for a show (“Must Love Dogs and Comedy”) and bringing it to life then later growing it into a business has been my most memorable and proudest moments in comedy so far.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
You can’t make everyone happy. Your jokes aren’t always going to land with every single audience. Stay true to you and your comedic voice!
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
A lot of people will try to make me laugh. I have noticed that once people find out that I am a comedian, they will try to run jokes by me or ask if I think certain things are funny.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Networking, networking, writing, self-promotion, canva flyers, finding stage time, and did I mention networking??
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
More accessibility, transparency, and equity for underrepresented performers trying to break into the scene!
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Find your community and do what makes YOU happy, not what you think you should do.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Curb Your Dog
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
One day when walking my dog I looked up and saw 2 people walking towards me. I thought, “wow, this couple is very fashionable.” I leaned down to pick up the dog poop, then when I looked back up again the couple was right beside me…it was Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz. I never imagined meeting the 2 of them would be so shitty, literally.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
On a sidewalk in NYC.
A Jolie Dudley Fun Fact:
I have a tattoo of my dog, Knope!
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
As of right now I would say some of my long term goals are:
– Owning physical event spaces for “Must Love Dogs and Comedy”
– Being a staff writer on a TV comedy
– Having my own comedy special
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Slow down, be present, and connect with the audience – as a newer comic it can be easy to feel like you need to rush through your set because you are nervous or because you want to say every single joke you wrote down, but when you perform it’s important to slow down and give time for the laughs to live in the room.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think post-pandemic (whenever that will be) there will be a new “norm” for comedy. There are so many up-and-coming comedians paving their own way in the industry right now by creating and producing really unique content and shows, that I think the traditional idea of what comedy and comedy shows used to look like will be completely different.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
I would have loved to write for Broad City. Especially now in a pandemic NYC world – What would Abbi and Ilana’s quarantine experience in NYC look like? How would they hustle to make ends meet? What socially distant activities would they get into? What indoor hobbies would they have?
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
My perfect comedy show would be a comedy variety show at Caroline’s featuring me, Julio Torres, Naomi Ekperigin, and Hannah Pilkes
What’s next for you:
I am continuing to challenge myself to grow as a comedian by writing new material, submitting to festivals and shows for stage time, and growing my business “Must Love Dogs and Comedy”
Why should a person always laugh at life:
There is so much happening in the world and a lot of it is outside of our individual control, so it’s important to take time to find joy wherever and however you can.
Follow Jolie Dudley’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @jolieedudley
Youtube: Jolie Dudley
Personal Website: Jolie Dudley
Checkout Jolie Dudley’s “Must Love Dogs and Comedy” organization. A mission to create space for underrepresented performers and to support local animal shelters.
