Nikki MacCallum isn’t afraid to be bad
Nikki MacCallum is a New York City based standup comedian, actress, musician, and author who enjoys “waterfront dining” seven to nine times a week in a bathtub too small to fit her. Nikki’s memoir DRY RUN, released by Auctus Publishers in May 2019, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and in select bookstores. The audio version dropped in August, 2021, produced by Tony Award winning Lambo Productions, and is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Nikki is also a two-time MAC Award nominee and has soloed along-side Tony-Award winners, Donna McKechnie and Jerry Mitchell. That’s fancy.
What were you like as a teen?
I was very quiet and shy as a teen, that said I’ve been a performer since I came out of the womb so I was always on stage, but off-stage I was very awkward, insecure, and shy
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I am still doing “un-sexy starter jobs.” No but in all seriousness, I think there were a lot of gigs I said yes to early on for no pay out of hope that I’d make a connection. Sometimes I did; sometimes I didn’t and thought, “that was a waste of time!” but the truth is you never know! The people you meet along the way really make it all worthwhile.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
Probably my Off-Broadway musical comedy hour, Adulting for Idiots, is a musical about things you wished you knew before becoming an adult. It’s a mix of standup and original comedy songs. It won “Best Musical” at the United Solo festival after a sold out limited engagement at Theatre Row and transferred to Theater for the New City for a 3 week run in Fall 2024.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
The people. I am very fortunate to have some very close friends in comedy who are not just comedy friends, but are life long friends. Every time I quit comedy which is multiple times a week, one of these friends talks me off a ledge. And I do the same for them. It’s also really helpful to have accountability buddies who will go to mics with you and you can keep each other on your toes in terms of writing.
Have you ever dealt with trolls? Hecklers?
All of the time. I might be the toxic colleague? Kidding. As far as hecklers, it’s about reading the room and determining what type of heckler this is. Is it someone who is going to be quiet if you engage with them and shut them down, or is it someone who is only going to get rowdier the more you engage? Is it someone who is talking over sets, is it someone who is overly asking questions of the comedian out of turn and interrupting sets? You need to understand the type of heckler and what’s motivating them. (Are they looking for attention? Are they wasted? Are they offended by something that was said?) That will dictate how you address. As far as Trolls, IGNORE lol. Engagement is engagement!
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Other comedians are not your audience. Talk about what you want to talk about and your niche audience will find you.
Best comedy advice you ever got?
“Don’t be afraid to be bad.”
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
“Keep doing your strong material.”
How has being funny helped you in your life?
Everyone loves to laugh!
What specific things should a novice comic do to shape their voice?
Get on stage as much as possible. It’s all about reps.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into comedy?
I grew up with an acting background and whenever I had an audition my mom would always tell me to “do something funny because serious is boring and everyone can do it! Not everyone can be funny!”
Do you have a writing routine?
I try to write for 28 minutes every morning. I’ll set an alarm and turnover my phone. I also try to make sure I’m working on at least one new bit of standup each month on stage.
What is your go-to show or movie?
Anything YA or trashy.
What single word always cracks you up?
Anything that ends in a “k.”