As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Sophie Forcioli. The Chicago, IL native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Sophie Forcioli
Hometown: Chicago, IL/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @Sophie_forcioli
Years in Comedy: 3
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Netflix is a Joke live at the Kia Forum: Kill Tony, & Kenan Thompson Presents
Comedic Influences: Sebastian Maniscalco, Ali Siddiq, & Dave Chappelle
Favorite Comedy Album: Ali Siddiq “The Domino Effect Part 2: Loss”
Favorite Comedy Special: Iliza Schlesinger “Elder Millennial”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Bridesmaids
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Broad City
Favorite Comedic Character: Any Fred Armisen character on “Portlandia”
Favorite City to Perform In: Chicago
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Family, relationships, & embracing embarrassing moments
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Anyone there for a good time.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Nitecap
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was on a medical-surgical mission trip in India, volunteering as a nurse. We had a long bus ride between cities. There was a microphone on the bus, and people were bored. A colleague said, “You’re funny. Go up there and tell some jokes.” After that, someone on the bus who used to work in the comedy industry suggested I try stand-up when I got back to LA.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How much harder it was than I thought it was previously.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I am storytelling and self-deprecating, but my goal in my stand-up is to make someone in the audience feel like I’m talking to them, like they are my best friend and we are having a conversation.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I try to sit down and write. Usually, I start by journaling more often and see where it goes. I usually think about jokes when I am driving or walking. I often get my favorite jokes when I’m zoned out doing something. I also like to just go to open mics, come in with an idea, and talk about it to see if a joke emerges.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
LA can feel difficult getting stage time; everyone is here, including big names in comedy. I feel like the competitive nature has made my stand up better and faster, though. I like working hard in LA, producing shows, running mics, doing the sound booth at clubs, taking photos of shows, and doing all the hard work, and it helps me be a better comic. You have to get creative, and I have been doing anything I can just to be around comedy in LA.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success is different for everyone. My idea of success is being able to get up and perform a set at any club I want.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
My pal Evan Harris, I think, is hilarious on and off stage. She is one of those people you just get louder being around and laugh hard. I get excited when I see her perform at places cause I already know I’m going to laugh even before she starts her set. I’ve met a lot of amazing women in the comedy scene, and I’m really proud to be part of it.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
I always heard people say, “If you can be funny in NYC, you can be funny anywhere.” I recently did a comedy contest at The Stand in NYC, and I was the only woman in the competition as well, and I won. I knew I won purely based on my stand-up because I didn’t know people there; I’m not an influencer; it was purely based on my set, and that was super validating as a comic.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
You have to just keep going, I used to take things more personally if I would mess something up. Now, I can do a show and mess up a joke, and instead of getting upset, I just get back to writing or trying to fix the joke. Failure is part of it, and it is also what makes it fun.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
People usually make it about themselves, so they start pitching me jokes, and they are usually super lame (Laughs).
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
I think you have to just get out there and do it. One of the things I love about stand-up is that there is no hiding behind a screen. It requires people to show up in person and put themselves out there. A lot of great opportunities have happened for me when I least expected them, and it was by showing up and just doing stand-up.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I wish TikTok people didn’t get full-blown shows at clubs. There are a lot of online personalities that get shows but don’t actually do stand up. It feels like a disservice to stand-up comedy.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Focus on one set at a time. Your job is to win the room one set at a time.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Lost in Translation”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I told Milo Ventimiglia, “I love you,” as we both reached for a tomato at a farmer’s market.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A driveway
A Sophie Forcioli Fun Fact:
I worked as a surgical nurse for 7 years.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would love to tour and do an hour special and also have a late-night appearance.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Own who you are.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think the future is exciting, but I’m an optimist. The future of comedy is changing, though. Younger generations have shorter attention spans, so you have to get to the point faster now. But I think the one-hour special will always be important, and it’s about making your stand-up worth watching, whether for 10 seconds or an hour.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
“Broad City,” Ilana and Abby stay in a hostel with a homeless woman, and she starts talking to the devil when they are drunk at 3AM.
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 (La Jolla) w/ Martin Lawrence, Iliza Schlesinger, & Ali Wong
What’s next for you:
Keep crushing these comedy clubs in LA, Chicago, and NYC.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Life is hard, and laughing makes you forget about pain for a moment.
Follow Sophie Forcioli’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Sophie Forcioli
Youtube: Sophie Forcioli
Personal Website: Sophie Forcioli
