Starting her comedy career while attending college in 2017, this bodega kid has shared the stage with amazing acts, such as Gina Brillon, Ian Lara, and many more. More importantly, she has created stages for comics with diverse backgrounds. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Lissa Lenis. The Queens, NY native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Lissa Lenis
Hometown: Astoria/Queens, NY
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @dammn_lissa
Years in Comedy: Long Enough!
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Timeout NY
Comedic Influences: Gina Brillon, George Carlin, and Bernie Mac
Favorite Comedy Album: Tom Segura “Mostly Stories”
Favorite Comedy Special: Nick Swardson “Seriously, Who Farted?” & Leslie Jones “Problem Child”
Favorite Comedy Movie: The Birdcage
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Will & Grace & The Nanny
Favorite Comedic Character: Jack Mcfarlene
Favorite City to Perform In: New York or ATL
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Nepotism, Culture, and Myself
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Open and diverse
Favorite Comedy Club: New York Comedy Club or St Marks Comedy Club
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
At a young age, but I didn’t fully commit til I was in my late 20’s
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I stared at my feet the whole time and kept saying the word “Like, yeah”
How would you describe your comedic style:
Dry humor, sarcastic wit, and very much storytelling.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I think of a thought, and it becomes a repetition in my brain. I say it on stage, and work on it by sandwiching it in with other bits. I’m trash when it comes to pen and paper.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The scene is divided into two, Brooklyn Elites and Club Babies. Brooklyn Elites are people who only perform in Brooklyn (the alternative scene) and in establishments like Union Hall, Bell House, and LittleField. These are people who will mostly likely get repped and managed within 4-5 years into comedy. Club babies are just that, very much in clubs. They only perform at Grisly Pear, The Stand, New York Comedy Club, St. Mark’s Comedy Club, and The Cellar. Also, being the best in your race. It’s very transparent comedy is black and white, whenever producers/bookers need a POC you them to think of you first. Be the best in your race.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
When you live off of it.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Gina Brillon, JJ Mattise, Zubi Ahmed, Usama Siddiqque, Matt Arevalo and Jared Waters.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
For me, it had to be the moment I started producing and moving up in the game.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Take everything with a grain of salt. People will say things that will make you overthink as a performer, but it’s just people hating. Be your own person.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
It’s always “Oh my goodness, make me laugh!” or “Ok, but what do you for a living, not for fun”
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Start with mics–>mics turn into shows–>shows give you reps on your material, and then you get club spots–>bookers will see and pass you as a regular or you end up getting representation and moving up in the game.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Women are funny, especially women of COLOR.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“It’s not what they say in the beginning, it’s what they say at the end. “
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Malcriada: I said what I said”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I had 2 funny encounters: 1. Dave Chapelle, it was a party at the stand after he did a show. I passed by him and he said ” Young Lady, you smell good!” and I responded “Thank you, I showered today”; 2. In college we had Alec Baldwin teach my acting class, he complained about my monotone-ness . Fast forward 4 years later, I started teaching in a school in Brooklyn, and I didnt realize he was one of the parents of my student. Obviously, I thought there’s no possible way this man remembered who I was. I had a parent-teacher conference about his kid. It was very normal, and we ended the conference. We are walking away, and he turns back and goes “Still didnt fix that monotone-ness I see”
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A laundromat and somebody’s private house.
A Lissa Lenis Fun Fact:
I’m a horticulturist. Yes, it’s because my parents are immigrants.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I always say this , I want to be the representation I never had. I want to see myself on TV, with specials and acting.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Own it. Be confident in your jokes. People laugh because they see how confident you’re in your jokes.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
You can tell there is a HUGE change. A Lot more online comedians are getting stages that seasoned comics don’t touch.
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:
All of my children. The wife murders the husband for gaslighting her, and the kids are in on it.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
New York Comedy Club.. JJ Mattise, Ian Lara, Dean Edwards. It would be amazing!
What’s next for you:
I have to do a spot, right now. So Imma go eat a dick on stage for 15 minutes.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
We are all dead inside, why not make fun of it.
Follow Lissa Lenis’ comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Lissa Lenis
Youtube: Lissa Lenis
Personal Website: Lissa Lenis
