Network , network, network. Like in any industry, relationships matter as much as your talent. Show up early to your spots, hang with the producers, hang after your show with the lineup, go to the parties, join a writing or improv group, support your comic friends and show up to their tapings, even their bringers. Know the game and support your fellow comedians.
As a part of our series called “Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Luz Michelle, Hard Headed Comedy, Inc.
Luz is a fierce and fearless woman who has tapped her unique background and life experiences to carve out a thriving career in comedy. With her distinct style and quick wit, she has left audiences in stitches at some of the most renowned comedy venues across the country, including Caroline’s, Gotham Comedy Club, The Stand, NY Comedy Club and The Stamford Palace Theater, to name a few. As the Founder of Hard Headed Comedy™, Luz has brought her passion for the art form to the forefront, producing hundreds of live and streamed comedy showcases that feature a dynamic mix of established and emerging comedic talent.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
In summary, I was born in Bogota, Colombia, I am half Colombian, half Native Indian and I was adopted by two Eastern European Jews and raised in the forgotten borough that used to have the second biggest dump in the world that they now call heroin island, Staten Island, NY.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path as a comedian?
For most of my life, I have struggled with my identity — for the reasons I shared in the previous response. Because of that I have been on this path of self discovery for quite some time. I dove into many creative outlets throughout my early 20s and was often told how funny I am, so when an opportunity to take some improv classes arose, I made a bet (with my then boyfriend/now husband) that I would sign up. I did and it was the spark I needed. Now here I stand 14 years on still going strong with stand-up comedy!
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Yes, when I was just starting out with stand-up, I got pregnant but unfortunately, miscarried and returned to the stage less than a month after. When I lost my dad, I was on stage about a week later. I never could have imagined the healing that comes from standing in front of a room full of complete strangers and fellow comics with a microphone. On stage is where I felt the most supported, safe. It’s so cathartic and spiritually awakening to be around people and peers — those nights felt like church to me.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Oh my yes! For the first few years of my stand-up career, I had a terrible habit of not recording my sets/performances because on a few occasions when I did record myself, my performance was lacking or vice versa, I would have a complete mic drop worthy set when I wasn’t recording myself. I had made up this superstition that if I record myself, I would bomb and it was mental torture each and every time. The lesson is you must record yourself, no matter what and perform for the audience in the room, not the camera.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Yes, my husband. Aside from my dad, he is the smartest human I have ever met. He has truly been my biggest fan from the very beginning and continues to show his endless belief in me, in my talent and his support, it’s everything to me. I have chosen a career that is filled with disappointment, mediocre pay and more often than not can truly bring out the worst in you. Being in a relationship with a comedian takes a patient and understanding human that has a shit ton of confidence, conviction and capacity to be on this ride with me through thick and thin. In short, he’s my unicorn.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
No matter what, you’re going to experience rejection and failure in stand-up. You can have a stretch of solid performances with uproarious laughter and then the next night nothing but crickets. Nothing is more demoralizing. Such highs/lows can truly break your spirit. However, as time goes on (assuming you stick with it) you grow a thick skin and you learn that it’s all part of the journey. Every time you get on stage you’re sharpening your blade, you’re paying your dues, you’re putting in the work. There are no shortcuts in stand-up comedy. You have to put in the time, you have to walk the storied path of many others before you if you want to be respected and regarded by your peers in this industry.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
After performing stand-up for several years, I founded a comedy entertainment company called Hard Headed Comedy which produces and curates raucously entertaining comedy shows, private events and fundraisers featuring diverse, dynamic and inclusive stand-up talent from across the Tri-State area (New York/NJ/CT) and beyond.
The mission behind the work I do is to highlight and bring attention to under-represented voices in comedy — specifically the amazing and talented community of female, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ comedians that are on the scene but are often overlooked or marginalized.
What do you do to get material to write your jokes? What is that creative process like?
I do my best to stay present, observe what I’m seeing/feeling and I write EVERYTHING down. I am the Queen of the sticky note — they’re plastered all over my work area and yes, my car too. As a comedian rooted in storytelling, all of my material is rooted in truth/reality, about my life or the people in it.
Super. Here is our main question. What are your “Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- To have FUN. For a good decade I was not having fun on stage, I was treating stand-up comedy like a hill I had to climb time and again.
- Be animated. When you put your whole self into your stories — physically/verbally, you captivate the audience’s attention more, they can visualize themselves in your words, in your experience, in your emotions and they are right there with you, along for the ride.
- RECORD, RECORD, RECORD Yourself! It is so important.
- Be damn sure you know how to hold a mic and how a mic stand works. It may seem obvious, but even a small misstep or hiccup such as fumbling the mic can detract from a perfectly solid set.
- Network , network, network. Like in any industry, relationships matter as much as your talent. Show up early to your spots, hang with the producers, hang after your show with the lineup, go to the parties, join a writing or improv group, support your comic friends and show up to their tapings, even their bringers. Know the game and support your fellow comedians.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Way before I got into stand-up, I volunteered at a senior center where I and a group of artists dressed up as clowns. We were asked to go room to room and cheer up the residents. I went into each room and asked respectfully: “What’s a piece of wisdom you would like to share with me that you wish someone told you?” and one answer above all others has stayed with me to this day. The occupant said to me: “Life is not supposed to be hard, I wish I had listened.” Till this day whenever life throws me a curveball, I hear his voice and I do my very best to breathe and listen (to my gut, to those who know more than me, etc.). It doesn’t always work but I always remember his voice and the lesson.
You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
A movement for more representation in stand-up comedy at the highest levels — specifically — women, BIPOC and LGBTQIA talent/voices. These under-represented voices need a safe space and platform that offers us all a true sense of self, belonging and safety.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
That would be A-Mazing, I would LOVE to go to lunch with Maya Rudolph. She is my true professional mega-crush! Every time I see her on the screen, I can feel such a rush of light and joy from her. She lights up a room and she’s confident as all hell in a FUN way! She always reminds me to have fun, love who I am and to always be true to myself.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
I sure am. You catch me on Instagram @luzmichellinc and you can learn more about me and fun clips over at luzmichelleinc.com and be sure to follow me at Hard Headed Comedy on Instagram and come check out an upcoming show.
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Luz Michelle: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.