As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Anna May. The Hayward, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Anna Laveria May (Anna May)
Hometown: Hayward CA/Las Vegas NV
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @annamayrealtor/@annalaveriamay/Anna May Realtor
Years in Comedy: 6
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: See “Anna Laveria May” on imdb.com
Comedic Influences: Chevy Chase and both of my bi-polar parents
Favorite Comedy Album: I read. Andy Weir’s “The Martian” was hilarious to me.
Favorite Comedy Special: My attention span is too short for this
Favorite Comedy Movie: Idiocracy (but not too short for this)
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Family Guy
Favorite Comedic Character: Anything Key & Peele
Favorite City to Perform In: San Francisco
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Serial matrimony, Poops & farts, & Chinese Hillbillies
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Drunk women over 40
Favorite Comedy Club: Cobbs Comedy Club
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
In my real estate day job, I’d announce my listings and buyers to fellow real estate pros at weekday morning meetings and make them bust up with laughter. As I got bolder, my material became too inappropriate for the group, so I turned to the stand-up comedy stage. Fellow real estate pros are still my largest group of supporters.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I felt really good about my set … until I saw the video recording afterward. That was a humbling but necessary learning experience and I don’t make it a habit to watch my recorded sets or I’ll probably want to quit comedy.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Disrespectful to my loved ones. (Well, that is how they’d describe it, anyway.)
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Comedy is where I can be free of constraints and rules, so I wing it often.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
There are countless opportunities to perform and see comedy! It’s an incredibly supportive small community, and it is important not to burn bridges.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success is being the go-to comedian for an upcoming gig because they know I’m reliable.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There are so many! However, I especially enjoy the company of those who treat comedy like a business, and comedians who are engineers/scientists by day.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Whenever the room is full of my people there to see me perform.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
There is no failure in comedy except being self-righteous and not keeping your word.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They’re usually shocked that certian things come out of my mouth. It instantly disarms people … or makes them want to distance themselves from me.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
A fellow comedian can be the best advocate or the worst nemesis, depending on how we conduct ourselves at any given time. There can be a slow or quick rise to the top, depending on our goals. What we don’t realize as human beings is that all we have to do is reach out and grab it. There are no limitations on age, weight, ethnicity or political affiliation in comedy. It is the one true and authentic form of art.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
For comedians and comedy clubs to respect each other more, and most of all, to express sincere appreciation for the audience.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Loosen up and let go! You’re too stiff!”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“That’s Not Your Egg Roll!”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
We made eyes at each other from across the room, until we both stood up and realized he’s hella short.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Nudist resort.
Anna May Fun Fact:
I’m half Chinese, so don’t call me racist when I start making fun of my people. Also, I once was an elected official. It bored me to tears.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Big budget feature film lead comedic role because I need the incentive to drop a few lbs.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Take a comedy writing class. Then just get up on stage and do it. If you love it, keep doing it, even if you suck.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Comedy will go through the pendulum swing of comedy vs. tragedy. I see us heading to the tragedy part of it before coming back to the unaltered, unedited funny again.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
When an awkward white guy marries an Asian woman thinking he’ll have a peaceful life with home-cooked meals, only to find out that he’s gonna end up beat down and broke. He’ll face the stepkids from the white guy ex-husband who dodged the bullet, the toothless Chinese hillbilly in-laws who keep moving in and “borrowing” money, and the overweight dog who’s his only friend.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Jimmy O Yang, Vince Vaughn and Phil Hanley (because I’ve met two of them and want to meet the third) at the San Jose Improv because that club knows how to highlight the comedians.
What’s next for you:
To keep performing stand-up comedy in ways that are meaningful so I can continue donating all my comedy show earnings to charity. OR: Get two inflatable dinosaur costumes and have the scene recorded starting from opening the package, getting dressed in it, running around (on soft grass) with a companion, and making myself and others laugh with the silliness. I’m emceeing the SantaCon Hayward event for the umpteenth time on Saturday December 7, 2024.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
One day, we’ll be on our deathbeds wishing we could do it over again with the stress replaced by ab-tightening laughter … and I want to die with flat abs.
Follow Anna May’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Anna May
Youtube: Anna May
Personal Website: Anna May
