Katie Compa stopped trying NOT to do standup
Katie Compa developed a biting sense of humor as a defense mechanism growing up in Maryland (outside Washington, DC), and uses it to write and perform standup comedy. Katie cut her teeth in the Bay Area comedy scene and is based in New York City. Her debut album HARD PASS came out in September 2019 and hit #1 on the iTunes Comedy Chart. Her second album, INCURABLE OPTIMIST, comes out April 30 along with a YouTube special (stay tuned for links). Equal parts sassy, smart, and sarcastic, Katie cracks up audiences worldwide.
What were you like as a teen?
I would say I was mostly “desperate to be liked” until age 14 or 15. Then I finally cracked the code, largely through being funny. Of course I knew about standup and sketch comedy. I liked them (my parents got cable when I was 7 or so, and it was the 80s so there was a LOT of standup), but I never considered comedy as a viable career path as a teen—they were just entertainment. (I also wouldn’t necessarily say that I consider it a viable career path now!)
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I STILL have an un-sexy day job! I get a *lot* out of it, but not material—financial stability, which provides a steady base on which to even *be* creative, plus artistic independence to work on and talk about things that interest me (since I’m not in “the industry,” I can really talk about anything I want).
Plus, once I had built up some experience, I was able to disengage from the 9-5 career track and go freelance/remote, which made a world of difference in my ability to care for myself and my health and pursue other things. Anyone telling you an office is healthy probably owns corporate real estate. Of course, the economy is probably about to crater but hey, it’s been good while it lasted! 🙂 I did also make some ride-or-die friends at my jobs, and once you get far enough into comedy it’s honestly a privilege to have some normal friends to talk to.
What’s your biggest comedy achievement to date?
I have released two albums (plus a YouTube special for the second one) and it’s honestly so rewarding to know that people can (and do!) see my work from all over the world, vs. only places I have performed live. I don’t care if it’s 500 or 500,000, it was just rewarding to put out a Thing I Did.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
The friends I made! I took a class (some comics shit on classes, but they are great when you’re starting out!) in 2007, and I made friends there that I am still friends with today. After I ventured out into the scene more, with those friends (this was in the SF Bay Area), I made more. Though not everyone sticks with it, that core crew you pick up when you’re starting out makes it worth all the time you spend that “civilians” might consider a waste.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Occasionally, although for some reason hecklers don’t tend to go for the jugular with me. I usually try to just pivot back to what I was saying (which is what I do for crowd work anyway, I have one train of thought and it is very easily derailed so I don’t like to do side quests!)
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Do whatever you can, whenever you can to look out for women/nonbinary people!
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Don’t quit your day job.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
Use AI to write jokes. (AI recently hallucinated some jokes I did not write when I was trying to use it for a metadata submission. Do NOT trust this tech.)
How has being funny helped you in your life?
When I was younger, it really provided a way for me to stop being such an outsider. Once I could make people laugh, I was allowed in. To this day I am fun at parties. (Unless I’m having a social anxiety attack… so it’s kind of 50/50.)
What specific things should a novice comic do to shape their voice?
I think it’s more about finding your voice than shaping it. TRY not to imitate other people (difficult when you have idols, which of course we all do), notice when you say things in your regular life that you would like to take onstage.
How did you say it to a friend/coworker/parent when you first thought of it, or how WOULD you say it to someone who already knows you? Is there an element that you can keep doing onstage/in your own voice? I feel like I am explaining this super badly, but basically your voice is already there. It’s just a matter of uncovering it.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into comedy?
There were many, from bosses to colleagues to family. I often say I didn’t actually start doing standup, I just stopped trying NOT to do standup.
Do you have a writing routine?
VERY un-strict! I write down ideas as they come. This is often when I’m doing something mindless like the dishes or cleaning—I even have a waterproof notebook in my shower.
It’s harder and harder to do this, but you have to give yourself content-free time to hear your own thoughts and hear your muse. (This sounds pretentious but I really believe it!)
