Veronica Dang: Former costumed mascot
Veronica Dang is an award-winning director/actor/writer and comedian. You may have seen her on TV or teaching people about Yellow Fever at comedy clubs around NYC. Check out her webseries Subway: The Series, which is on Marie Claire’s list of “Webseries You’ll Want to Ditch Netflix for.” She also started NYC’s 1st Asian American sketch comedy team Model Majority. Model Majority has been featured in The New York Times as well as Time Out NY.
Favorite response to a heckler or troll?
When I do standup comedy, most people feel sorry for me so they don’t heckle. But if they did, I would just say “Mom and Dad, I’m so glad you finally came to see me!”
Describe your worst gig.
I was a costumed mascot for a famous children’s cartoon character at a public park event in 90+ degree weather. I couldn’t see, had trouble breathing and moving in a large, heavy costume with big head and feet. I wasn’t allowed to talk but had to do photo ops (where adults can be a bit handsy), play tennis with two thumbs, and dance battle while baking in my own sweat all day.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Eat whatever you want and keep doing comedy no matter what other people say. Comedy world doesn’t need more privileged mediocre white heterosexual males with mommy issues.
What’s your first impulse when someone says “women aren’t funny?”
Walk away. I don’t need that kind of stupidity in my life.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
The world is messed up and I need comedy to help me deal with it. It also really helps to create your own work, that’s why I make my own films which have won awards 😉 and started NYC’s first all Asian-American sketch comedy team, Model Majority.
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Always be doing comedy and you won’t actually die on stage.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
Replace all minorities and women in your script with white men.
Favorite response to “What’s it like to be a woman in comedy?”
I don’t know. What is it like to be a man in comedy? It seems like a lot of dick and pedophilia “jokes.”
Feelings about the word “comedienne?”
I prefer comedian but will accept any label that indicates I’m funny and doesn’t use racial slurs or insults.
How has being funny helped you in your offstage life, either recently or when you were younger?
Helped me avoid being bullied and beat up.
What advice do you have for how to level up from open mics + bringers to actual SPOT-spots?
Produce your own shows/work and make friends with people who know bookers or have own shows.
What single word always cracks you up?
manamana
Was there one person who inspired you to become a comedian?
Not one person, but one entity. My family inspired me to be a comedian because I needed a way to complain about them without them knowing.
Photo via: Leslie Hassler
Veronica Dang is an award-winning director/actor/writer and comedian. You may have seen her on TV or teaching people about Yellow Fever at comedy clubs around NYC. Check out her webseries Subway: The Series, which is on Marie Claire’s list of “Webseries You’ll Want to Ditch Netflix for.” She also started NYC’s 1st Asian American sketch comedy team Model Majority. Their live shows have been on Timeout NY’s list of “Best Comedy Shows in NYC.”