Kate Villa yells at frat boys - GOLD Comedy - Make Funny Stuff

  • Who We Are
    • About GOLD
    • Meet some GOLDies
    • Our team
    • Write for Us
  • Classes
  • GOLD Mine
    • Resources
    • Digital Production Teams
  • Join the club

Kate Villa yells at frat boys

Maggie Scudder Dec 20, 2023

Kate Villa is a comedian, writer, and producer who was born in DC, bred in Chicago, and buttered in New York. She is currently The Director of Comedy and Institutional Programming at The Kennedy Center. Formerly, she was a creative producer and head writer for Calm where she helped lead The Daily Move series and their comedy-sleep story offerings. She has produced for shows on Comedy Central and Showtime. Kate has written for projects on TruTV, Discovery+, MTV, Cartuna/IFC, Comedy Central, DuoLingo, and Wondery, to name just a few. She has also contributed jokes and games to NPR’s ‘Wait…Wait…Don’t Tell Me!,’ NPR’s ‘Ask Me Another,’ and Mad Magazine.


What were you like as a teen?
I was a theater kid! I didn’t have enough trust in my voice to ever think I could write, let alone be funny. It took me until after college to even really try and then when I realized there might be something there, I gave it a shot. But yeah, no I was weird. I did try producing, without really knowing it, in high school. I realized that there wasn’t an a cappella show for neighboring schools and put one together. It’s been running for over a decade and that was the first show I had ever conceived and produced. I still remember standing on stage as a junior and looking out at an audience so full it was deemed a fire hazard. That was the first night of my career without me even knowing it.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I’ve had a lot of un-sexy jobs but the worst was when I had an un-sexy internship. I unpacked boxes of apple juice for like eight hours a day, a man brought me into his office and told me I had to smile more, and I was reprimanded for wearing colorful socks (backstage—not even on camera!). I learned to never work in daytime.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
Overseeing the Comedy Programming at The Kennedy Center is absolutely my biggest achievement. I saw my first live performance at The Kennedy Center and am now working there? Insane.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it? 
I still am up-and-coming! The wins help you stick with it, as do the people. Find good people who make you laugh
Have you ever dealt with trolls? 
Who hasn’t? Yelling at frat boys who are a little too drunk and think they should be the ones holding the mic is my favorite pastime.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian? 
Dreams change. Whatever your dream is at 22 can be different than your dream at 30. That doesn’t mean you’ve given up or that you’ve failed. It just means you’ve learned, grown, and shifted the goalposts. And that’s ok!
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Get a writing group. Ask for what you want. Find people who believe in you.
Worst comedy advice you ever got? 
Write to trends.
What is your go-to show when you’ve had a bad day?
Always 30 Rock. Always.

Related Articles

  • Laura Dellis Q&A

    Laura Dellis stopped waiting for others to see her

  • Hilary Campbell, AKA “Toons”

  • Rebecca Kaplan has a healthy self-esteem

  • Dr. Sarah Boston is the funniest veterinary surgical oncologist on Earth

Subscribe to Tight Five, our free weekly newsletter with comedy tips, funny reads, and entertaining reccos.

← Previous Post
Next Post →

Recent Articles

  • Late-night is not dead

    Sep 09, 2025
  • Please Don’t Destroy is out. Who will be SNL’s next shorts team?

    Sep 05, 2025
  • Sketch comedy is everywhere… except where it should be

    Aug 13, 2025
View All

Recent How-tos

  • How to Nail Character Acting for Camera: 5 Rules Every Comedian (and Actor) Should Steal

    Oct 03, 2025
  • How to direct a comedy sketch: 5 essential tips

    Sep 24, 2025
  • Thumbnails and more: 6 tricks to get your video more views

    Sep 19, 2025
View All

Recent Q&As

  • Laura Dellis stopped waiting for others to see her

    Oct 01, 2025
  • Hilary Campbell, AKA “Toons”

    Sep 24, 2025
  • Rebecca Kaplan has a healthy self-esteem

    Sep 17, 2025
View All

Want to write for our site?

Send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to info(at)goldcomedy.com. In your cover letter please tell us about something that always cracks you up.

  • © 2025 GOLD Comedy
  • Scholarships
  • Coaching
  • Give GOLD
  • Why comedy
  • Contact Us

Privacy Policy Terms of Service

Site by The Hot Brain & The Big Smoke