As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Allie Arasi. The Milton, GA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Allie Arasi
Hometown: Milton, GA/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @allie.arasi
Years in Comedy: 1.5 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: The Haunting of Hill House & Hacks (Season 3)
Comedic Influences: Jim Carey, Amanda Freaking Bynes, Steve Carrell, Kate Mckinnon, Aubrey Plaza, Tim Robinson, Jimmy Fallon?? & Morgan Freeman.
Favorite Comedy Album: Taylor Swift “TTPD”
Favorite Comedy Special: One of Pete Davidson’s…yeah call me psycho!!
Favorite Comedy Movie: She’s the Man
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Friends, sorry SUE ME!!! IT’S GOOD!!!
Favorite Comedic Character: Fire Marshall Bill (In Living Color). Michael Scott (The Office), Courtney (from The Amanda Show), & Missy (The Wrong Missy)
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Myself – it’s the only thing that’s never been done before and one of the only things I understand.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Any audience that comes to want to laugh and be silly and doesn’t take themselves too seriously…nothing is worse than when the audience reacts to a joke with an “AW ” rather than a laugh. Pleaseeee don’t do that, we don’t like thatttt.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store or Flappers Comedy Club.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I didn’t discover it, it discovered me……..but seriously- growing up I was just always the kid making my family, friends, and teachers laugh, and my sister, being a filmmaker, would always film our family trips and turn them into documentaries…which ended up just being 3 hours of me doing observational comedy as an 11 year old. Those WILL come back to haunt me one day if this all works out. I apologize in advance.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Probably the fact that the first time I performed was when I was 20 for a stand-up class showcase, but I accidentally signed up for a stand up class for 6-12 year olds, so it was me and a bunch of children performing and to be honest, I think they were better than me. But, I love that I started in a way that’s so me. AND YES, I have a bit about this.
How would you describe your comedic style:
People say that I’m unique…or whatever… so I’d say – I very much do my own thing. I’m just myself and write and do what I think is funny. I’d describe it as weird, fresh, authentic, kooky, honest, self-deprecating and self-reflective.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I either sit down to write at a coffee shop or just jot down thoughts as they come to me, and I actually have a mic/mic stand in my apartment and I stand at the mic and practice like it’s my own open mic. My dog watches me on the couch silently. It might sound crazy, but I find it oddly effective, almost more so than a real open mic sometimes. I’m also in a writing group who I test out my material on, which helps with community and accountability!
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It’s diverse and consistent! As in – you walk into a mic and it’s typically either a room full of men or it’s a room full of women and diverse people. Rarely do you find a room with both. But, I like practicing in both spaces. There seems to be a place for everyone in LA. There’s a lot of shows and opportunities here, but it takes a lot of hard work to continue to move up and forward, and a lot of patience and grace with yourself.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I typically judge myself against my own personal best – “Did the laughs I got tonight match the BIGGEST laughs I’ve ever gotten?” But recently, I’ve been trying to focus more on “Was I present and did I have fun tonight?”, and not only is that better mentally, shocker, that mindset makes for a better performance anyway.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There are so so many but just to name a few – My friend Ainsley Bailey inspires me greatly… she’s without a doubt going to blow up like crazy. I think everything she does is so hilarious and incredibly unique. There is no one out there like her. Also, my mentors/teachers Jenn Sterger and Lisa Sundstedt – Jenn is such a gift to have in a writer’s room for punch ups and pitches, and really works hard to create spaces and opportunities for women in comedy! And same for Lisa, who’s class Pretty Funny Women has helped me so much in starting my comedy journey and so so many of the girls coming up around me. Her class makes it significantly less daunting to start a famously daunting career path. And lastly, my best friend and college roommate – New York comic and improviser Zoe Tanton, who I know will be the Amy to my Tina one day.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
100% when I got the opportunity to perform in a character roast battle called The Tournament of Nerds at The Dynasty Typewriter. I had never done a character show or a roast battle before, and so I was certain I was going to be eliminated in the first round, but ended up winning the whole thing??? And was voted as the winner by the celeb judge panel- legends – Chad Kroeger, Edi Patterson, and Jerry O’Connell (who is now, because of this, a friend!) This show meant a lot to me, because it was probably the first time I was genuinely proud of myself in a real way, because of how hard it was – I had to write smart on the spot and be so present, fast on my feet, and bold, and to prove to myself that I could do something that professionally and then tangibly WIN an award for it, was so validating for the kid inside me that had never won anything before. So yeah, this has really been the marker for me in my journey so far that’s given me the confidence to do this for real.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That people either get me or they don’t…have good taste. (but also seriously, I’ve learned that I’m one brave and bold lady. And that, the only thing that leads me to failure is my own fear, and that it’s OKAY if you don’t crush one night. An off night doesn’t define your talent or your future).
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They always say “TELL ME A JOKE”… like I’m some sort of machine… I usually say something awkward like I don’t tell jokes…I am jokes. Worst part is they usually laugh at that and I’m like C’MON ew that’s not funny!!!
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s a LOT of hustle for little profit, most of the time for no profit or honestly sometimes for loss of money… which is hilarious. It’s like an investment that may or may not have a payout one day… so it’s insanity to pursue, but a little less insane if you know it’s what you were made to do. It takes a lot of faith and trust and without my faith in God to lean on, I’m not sure how I’d be so comfortable in the unknown of it all.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
The continual negative narrative surrounding christianity. I completely understand that people have been hurt by the church, and they’re absolutely valid, and I hate that they experienced that, but, I’ve noticed that it is the norm to hate on christianity in the comedy space and the idea of Jesus/God being a good thing is practically unheard of. I really feel like it’s my calling to change that narrative in this space in my own silly little way, and to hopefully show people that it is people that hurt people, but God is not people, and there is joy, love, and peace to be found in him without hate or condemnation. Doesn’t sound funny…but I make it funny I promise!!
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
To put the mic stand far behind you because you don’t want anything next to you that’s skinnier than you…idk that’s maybe problematic, but it’s the most memorable thing I’ve been told for sure (Laughs)
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“You’re so Weird, Allie” or Jesus Raves.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
On set of Hacks, we had to improvise a bunch for the scene I was in, and when the camera was rolling, I kept touching Jean Smart and getting all up in her face, and then like 30 minutes later after doing that like ten times, we had a break between takes, and I turned to her and was like “can I touch you?” and she died laughing and told me she wished they got that on tape. That was an iconic moment.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
On a literal airport tarmac…that was weird.
An Allie Arasi Fun Fact:
I was born on leap day, so I’m technically only 6 Years old and I wore diapers to bed until I was 14. Yes.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I want my own TV show that I write and star in, along with all the bells and whistles that come with a BOOMING stand up career. I wanna have Netflix specials galore, but most of all, I want an audience of people who really get me and resonate with my kooky self and that I can inspire and create an impact with.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
As long as you are staying true to who you are and doing what you think is genuinely funny (and are funny) and you stay present on stage and with the crowd, you can’t have a bad show. I think I’m just starting to figure that out.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I don’t buy into “comedy dying”… there are hundreds of comedians who no one knows about working their butts off in the trenches rn trying to build a career in comedy and a lot of them are really funny. I think the future is bright for comedy once the up and comers break on in!
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
LOST x THE OFFICE crossover episode – The office gang takes a business trip to an island that Michael finds on the internet, and they pull up to the Lost gang and John Locke’s like…dude this island is like lost what are you doing here guy? – That’s all I’ve got this morning. Could be kinda like good tho…to be honest…
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store – Main Room – Matt Rife (so I can flirt), Pete Davidson (so I can flirt), Whitmer Thomas (so I can freakin flirt!!)
What’s next for you:
I’m going to continue to focus on building as much good material as possible, perform as much as I can, keep auditioning, keep writing and making stuff I think is funny, and continue doing it all for my higher purpose, which is for Jesus, and trust that he’s working all things together in this life for my good. I hope to help whoever I can along the way. And more specifically – I wrote, produced, and starred in a short film last year, and I’m currently in post-production for it. Once it’s finished, I plan to use it to pitch as a series and submit to festivals.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because God made us all with the ability to giggle, so it’s a sin not to, obviously.
Follow Allie Arasi’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Allie Arasi
Youtube: Allie Arasi
Personal Website: Allie Arasi
*Follow @allie.arasi to stay tuned for show dates and for the release of Allie’s short film, “Ciao!” starring Jerry O’Connell and more!
