FORMER MILWAUKEE COMEDY FESTIVAL Headliner Lisa Curry is bringing her stand-up show to The Laughing Tap on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2. We interviewed the comedian, via phone, before her Milwaukee arrival.
How long have you been in the comedy scene?
I started improv in 2007, so I would count it since then.
What has been the biggest highlight of your career thus far?
It’s really hard to say. I would say that something I am really proud of was in 2019 when I booked this crazy tour for myself. I ended up over in the U.K. and Europe for two months. I did 51 shows in that time, including three festivals. I did two separate hours of material, I recorded my album and I did a show for the U.S. troops.
I thought, “Oh, I’ll go over there and do a couple of weeks of shows,” and then I booked 10 and thought, “I wonder if I could get 20.” I kept doing that at every 10-show increment. It was cuckoo.
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You’re a TV writer, podcaster, stand-up comedian and you have your own comedy album. How do you navigate working with all of these different media?
I love it so much that I don’t have to tap into anything to find the motivation. I’m a workaholic, but it’s driven by my love of comedy. It is a lot all at once, but also so much of pursuing any career in the arts is administration work: sending emails, keeping things organized, updating your website and things like that.
I’m not doing everything all at once. I’ll sit down and send a ton of emails and then while I’m waiting for those responses I can record a podcast episode or do something else.
How has it been opening for Jim Jefferies’ tour?
Oh, it’s a blast. It is so fun. I wrote on the Jim Jefferies Show before Jim asked me to open for him. I really like Jim. I get his sense of humor, and I’m friends with the other openers.
It just feels like I’m imagining it. That, and big comedy shows that I do on my own. Anything that is more of a “big deal” feels like I’m living in some kind of dreamland.
Do you have any advice for aspiring comics — specifically women in comedy?
You just have to work your ass off, be nice to everyone and don’t get bitter about what other people are doing. It doesn’t do anything for you. It doesn’t serve you. It just sucks your energy.
Also, help other women. I came up with a few women who unfortunately live in this space of fear and try to tear other women down. After a while, people catch on and stop helping them. Then, they get stuck where they are. It sucks for them, but they did it to themselves.
What can fans expect when going to your shows in Milwaukee?
To laugh. A lot. And hopefully, relate to me and get to know me a little more. I really like to connect with people. I don’t feel like my comedy is presentational. While it is not a participatory thing for the audience, I don’t feel like I’m just talking at people.
Is there anything that you are looking forward to doing or seeing while you’re here in Milwaukee?
Oh, I love Milwaukee. I think it’s only going to be like 50 degrees when I’m there, but I just like to walk around and be by the water. I’m looking forward to having some beers, I know that’s a Milwaukee thing.
