As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Courtney Ciacco. The Kansas City, MO native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Courtney Ciacco
Hometown: Kansas City, MO/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @courtneyciaccocomic @courtneyciacco
Years in Comedy: 6
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: TikTok, Hollywood Laugh Factory Instagram
Favorite Comedy Album: Dave Attell “Skanks for the Memories”
Favorite Comedy Special: Dan Soder “Son of a Gary”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Big Daddy
Favorite Comedy TV Show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Favorite Comedic Character: Charlie Kelly
Favorite City to Perform In: Austin, TX
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Boys, being in a sorority, being a bridesmaid, and my dad
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: An audience full of frat boys
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I got a job as a waitress at Second City in Chicago, IL and, after watching shows every night, realized I wanted to try comedy. After a few years of improv, I tried stand-up and fell in love
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
There was a super attractive guy sitting in the front row that I remember way more than any of the jokes I told. I think I mostly talked about drinking and buying Plan B but I actually did pretty well.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Witty, dry, and sarcastic
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I used to write when jokes came to me, but in the last year, I’ve specifically made time to write at least 15 minutes every day. I think it’s made a huge difference in the amount of new material I have.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The LA scene is huge, but the pocket I’m in is really fun. There’s a good community of people who have been doing it while that you see at clubs and mics. All of my best friends are comics, which is pretty great. They’re all hilarious, and they understand the struggle of not getting the spot you wanted or having a bad set. It’s definitely a competitive scene, and a lot of the time it can feel like you’re competing against your friends, but I’m so grateful to have friends in the scene.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Obviously, a big part of success is consistently getting booked and getting passed at clubs, but I also want to be a comic that other comics respect. I think a big part of success is no one being able to say that you’re not funny.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Matty Chymbor is so damn funny and always makes stand-up look fun, Rob Pugliese is hilarious and also gives great advice, and Beth Stelling makes me want to work harder.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My first time performing at the Laugh Factory was a really good moment. I put a ton of pressure on myself to do well on that show and ended up having a great set. Later a clip from that show went viral and while it’s a little hard to watch a clip from that long ago, it only added to that experience.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I think the main thing I’ve learned is just to keep going. Comedy comes with a lot of disappointments, but there’s always another exciting thing on the horizon.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They usually ask me to tell a joke or tell me they have an amazing joke for me to use.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It definitely involves a lot of hustling. My first year in LA I did around 16 open mics a week because I was so hungry for stage time. I’m lucky that I book more shows now so I don’t do as many mics but I still try and get onstage most nights. I see really successful comics working out new material at a Fourth Wall open mic all the time which is really inspiring to me. Now I also spend a lot of time editing clips and posting on social media. I’ve just now started booking shows from people seeing me on Instagram and TikTok which has been really cool!
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Sometimes it’s frustrating that social media and follower counts are such a big part of being a comedian today. I wish getting booked was based solely on being funny but I know that’s unrealistic.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Most of the things you’re worried about are never going to happen.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Bad Influence
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I was a temp front desk employee at a studio and one day a guy named Randy Jackson checked in. I asked him what it was like to have the same name as Randy Jackson and he said he was Randy Jackson of American Idol fame. Turns out Randy Jackson has lost a LOT of weight.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A weed convention at 2pm on a Thursday in 100 degree heat.
A Courtney Ciacco Fun Fact:
I moved so many times growing up that I basically never learned math. Turns out you really don’t need to know long division.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
My first huge goal is getting passed at The Improv and The Comedy Store. Eventually, I want to film a special and have a TV show.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Get as much stage time as possible and write every day. The best comics I know are the ones who take writing really seriously.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I feel like it’s really promising! There are so many ways for comics to get their names out there today. Between podcasts, social media, and youtube, it’s a great time to be releasing content.
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 write an episode of Boy Meets World where Shawn accidentally attends an AA meeting and realizes that’s the cult he was really meant to join.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I’d perform at The Comedy Store with Bill Burr, Dan Soder, and Dave Attell. With a lineup like that, I don’t think there’s any way it wouldn’t go amazing!
What’s next for you:
Just doing shows for the rest of the summer and going to New York for a few shows this fall. On August 26th, Bridget Sell and I are producing a show at Third Wheel Hollywood. I’m super excited for the show because the lineup is insane!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
.I love the Carrie Fisher quote where she said “if life wasn’t funny it would just be true and that’s unacceptable.” Life is hard and it’s a lot harder if you can’t laugh about it.
Follow Courtney Ciacco’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @courtneyciaccocomic @courtneyciacco
Youtube: Courtney Ciacco Website: www.courtneyciacco.com
