She was awarded 2023 “Stand-Up of the Year” by the Chicago Reader and soon can be seen on Only Fans TV’s popular comedy series “LMAOF.” As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Deanna Ortiz. The Chicago, IL native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Deanna Ortiz
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @deannaortiz_
Years in Comedy: 10
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Only Fans TV’s LMAOF, Crushes Podcast, Drunk Cooking Show
Comedic Influences: Liza Treyger, Beth Stelling, & Megan Gailey
Favorite Comedy Album: Megan Gailey “My Dad Paid For This”
Favorite Comedy Special: Beth Stelling “Girl Daddy”
Favorite Comedy Movie: The Wrong Missy! Lauren Lapkus MADE that movie. The first 10 minutes I’ve watch over 40 times.
Favorite Comedy TV Show: New Girl! I could rewatch it 100 times and always find something new to laugh at.
Favorite Comedic Character: My girl Meg Stalter and whatever she does on Instagram.
Favorite City to Perform In: Chicago
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Stories from my life… narrative comedy is always funnier to me.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Women. groups of women going out to a show who are ready to have a good time. and who will come up to me after trying to get drinks. I won’t do it, but I love to be asked.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Lincoln Lodge in Chicago!
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I remember listening to a Dane Cook album at recess in middle school and just being blown away that this was somebody’s job. I started watching a lot of stand-up in High School and thats when I really wanted to try it for myself.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember bringing all of my friends, practicing in the car, and then when he called my name I couldn’t feel my hands or my legs. But once it was done the host said ‘good job’ and that was it for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better first time performing.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Traditional stand-up…? I’m not really sure. Very POV/narrative
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I’ll write down ideas that I have, and work with a writing group where we punch up eachother’s ideas. Its a great space to keep ourselves accountable and encouraged to bring new ideas in. I’ll workshop a lot of my punchlines in my head when I’m on a walk or in the shower.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Chicago has the best scene in the whole world! Very welcoming, lots of stage time, and lots of time to practice what you want to do and try new things with 0 pressure.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success is different at different levels. I think its important to set goals for yourself at the space that you’re at. Whether that’s getting booked on a show, or getting passed at a club, or getting hired in a writers room… Success is all from your perspective.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I love watching Mega Stalter perform. She’s just so silly and random and just lets herself have fun on stage.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Probably when I won the best of in the Chicago Reader. I remember downloading the issue on my phone and casually (but frantically) flipping through the pages until I found my category.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That it’s never personal! You can’t let it affect you. I just have to know tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities and focus on that. If I let the things I don’t get affect my headspace, I would have quit years ago.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
People always ALWAYS want me to tell them a joke. NO FREE JOKES! Then they want me to host their birthday party or help them write a speech…
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
A career in standup is piecemealed for me.. and for everyone, I think. You have to be scrappy about it. A writing job here, some content creator stuff there. And you really have to hustle for the stage time you want. I think that’s the hardest part, building a career and putting effort into it while also working and making money UNTIL those things come through.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I think I would change the people who are being booked to headliner who have no comedy background but are popular on social media… That really grinds my gears….
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Go at your own pace, don’t compare your success to others, and also to perform what YOU think is funny. If you don’t believe in the joke, how can your audience?
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“I’m So Tired” or “Girl Dinner”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I got to meet Colin Jost when I opened for him in New Buffalo. He couldn’t have been nicer or more chill to talk to. The whole circumstances of me being on the show was kind of funny in a stressful way, Colin’s plane was delayed for 2 hours so he showed up super late and just made fun of himself and let the other comics roast him about being late on a private jet too. It was a great night.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
So many places. Whenever there are kids in the crowd is a weird place, I also performed at a hospital once…. great time!
A Deanna Ortiz Fun Fact:
A fun fact is that in my free time I love to crochet and read. My standup is very outgoing but in the greenroom I normally have a crochet project I’m working on, or a book on my phone I’m catching up on.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
OOO idk I’d love to be able to do a tour soon, travel and perform, and not have to worry about where my next paycheck is coming from.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Go up with what YOU think is funny. if you believe in your set and work towards getting better, it’ll come.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
The future of comedy… idk I think that more personality should come through on standups… and people using their standup skills to transfer into other outlets.. I think that is where people are going to see the most success.
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:
Wow this is hard… I think I would want to work on Taskmaster… and be Taskmaster for a day.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
At The Lincoln Lodge. And it’d be me, Megan Gailey, Meg Stalter, and Beth Stelling PERFECT SHOW.
What’s next for you:
A new podcast, webseries, and lots more stand-up shows are coming down the line in 2023. I’ve been really lucky this year has been so fun.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because what are your other options!!! Find something funny! Listen to something funny! Feel joy! The alternative sounds awful.
Follow Deanna Ortiz’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Deanna Ortiz
Youtube: Deanna Ortiz
Personal Website: Deanna Ortiz
