Dark humor is etched in Rola Z’s psyche
What were you like as a teen?
I was always “the funny/smart friend” and I’d hang out with beautiful women (I’m straight sadly) because it was more entertaining (the men would fall over themselves to talk to them and I’d make them laugh!). In retrospect, what a confident move.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I’m a corporate woman at heart, though I was always the outlier at Fortune 500 companies. I found most things ridiculous. Like doing PowerPoint presentations to each other, to get “Buy in” and don’t get me started on the painful “team-building activities” designed to build trust. Come on, why not just be a human being and talk to people instead?! We’d have to climb Mount Sinai as it built trust and team work. I’d nap during the stupid hike, then hang with them at the bar. I was a bit of a Dilbert at the time. And the passive-aggressive language in meetings and emails. That was worse than living through war, though I do miss corporate money.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
Taking my shows to the Kennedy Center, doing Traumedy, starting my own club–It’s a pop-up series for now. Let’s manifest it! Follow my work at DC Comedy Lounge and support!
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
The world is on fire, so comedy is the only way. Nihilism and laughter.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
I abide by the Golden Rule and hope that others do too. For the most part, people have been good to me, though some suck and think the world revolves around them. It doesn’t. I thought I was a narcissist until I met some comedians. They say comparison is the enemy of joy. Quite the contrary. Sometimes the bar for showing up for others and making a difference in the community is so low. It’s been a thrill to see the beauty of elevating others and building.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Remember to stop caring what others think of you. Focus on elevating yourself and others and in turn. It’ll make for a positive impact, Inshallah.
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Record and watch each set no matter how painful and regardless of how well you did.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
“Say yes to all stage time, even if you have to drive an hour at 1am to perform for 5 drunks with toothless grins.” Nope. Quality over quality.
How has being funny helped you in your life?
I come from hardship (war, etc.), so dark humor is etched in my psyche. The only road to levity and catharsis.
What specific things should a novice comic do to shape their voice?
I try to journal. I write how I’m feeling and the deeper I dig, the more honest it is. Sometimes you find the funny at the bottom of the barrel, as you’re scraping away at your soul. It’s beautiful to get to know yourself before you share with others. Your stage persona will also evolve over time, and the funny will come through as you settle into it.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into comedy?
It’s never one person, is it? It was probably a combination of incredible comics I admire, circumstances, and the realization that comedy is so subjective and that I had a unique POV.
What is your go-to show or movie?
It’s 2026. Does anyone still have the attention span to watch a show? A full movie?! Goals.
What single word always cracks you up?
“Hormuz,” ‘cause I’m pedantic.
Rola Z is a show producer, community builder and host/comedian in DC.
She is the creator of TRAUMEDY, DC’s only Dark Comedy show and has been dubbed ‘Traumedian’ by the Washingtonian, May 2023. Her other flagship comedy show is Funny Arabs by Rola Z and she has taken it to the Kennedy Center to reach a wide audience. Rola Z has worked with various Thinktanks, Art institutes and DC public schools to bring comedy to new places and to use laughter as healing and community building. She collaborated with Middle East Institute and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to launch the first DC Traumedy Festival hosting a panel discussion with mental health experts and two sold-out comedy shows.
As a comedian, she has performed at the Gotham Comedy Club, DC Improv, DC Comedy Loft, Union Stage, Howard Theater, The Kennedy Center and in Montreal. After going through personal downfall, job loss and the end of a 10-year marriage, Rola turned to Traumedy: turning pain into punchlines. In DC, she found that audiences love the vulnerability of her brand of Traumedy and that of the shows she puts on. Her comedian line-up includes people who have been through different life hardships and turned that into something funny, so all can heal. Her motto is ‘we are thrivers, not victims’. Rola’s approach with the audience and is interactive and she runs a Q&A after her Traumedy show to get audience members to open up and hopefully ease their pain. Rola believes in showcasing hidden talents and shining light on unique BIPOC artists with different stories of hardship. Rola Z has been featured in DCist, WAMU, WTOP News, District Fray, Washingtonian, The National, Dubai TV, WUSA9, Al Arabiya and Canadian media outlets.
