Roe Moore pierced ears and has no fear
Hailing from Aurora, Colorado, Roe Moore is the mastermind behind the camera with an uncanny ability to turn even the most mundane scenes into side-splitting comedy gold. Her directorial style blends classic film techniques with a cutting-edge approach, creating cinematic experiences that leave audiences both dazzled and doubled over in giggles. With experience working on shows like VH1’s RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, Disney+’s talk show EARTH TO NED, and CBS’s TOUGH AS NAILS, Her entertainment journey to the director’s chair involved stints in various production roles, each adding to her toolkit of creativity. Drawing from previous life experience as a performer, Roe possesses an unparalleled knack for working intimately with talent, harnessing captivating and authentic performances. As an AD and script supervisor, Roe gained a rock-solid understanding of the technical intricacies behind the camera – an invaluable foundation that sets her apart as a director with a holistic grasp of filmmaking. If you’re in need of a director who can turn chaos into comedy, look no further. Roe is here to make the entertainment world a whole lot funnier, one frame at a time.
What were you like as a teen?
Ah, the teenage years, those mysterious dark ages! Apart from the ever-present expectation to excel in school because, you know, “your mom’s a teacher, so you’ve got to be a genius,” my adolescence was quite the rollercoaster.
Sports and music were my safe havens during those years. I dabbled in softball, swimming, dance, and golf. When it came to golf, well, let’s just say my dad had grand dreams of a family of golf pros, but I couldn’t quite muster the competitive spirit. Instead, I took the opportunity to perfect my Happy Gilmore-style swings and used the golf club as a makeshift flag tosser for color guard practice. On the flip side, my proudest dance moment? Playing the role of the King Mouse in The Nutcracker. Looking back, that’s when my comedic genius started to shine through, stealing the show one hilarious death scene at a time (or at least, in my humble opinion).
Then, there was my musical journey. I taught myself to play the flute, tackled the viola, and joined the percussion ensemble, marching band, and even the school district’s symphonic orchestra. My crowning achievement came in the second semester of freshman year when I strolled into band auditions with just three months of self-taught practice and emerged as the first chair flute and woodwind section leader.
While my dad refused my desire to pursue music in college, I suspect my comedic roots were planted in the band room. Our band teacher decided to rob a bank wearing a beekeeper suit, earning himself the legendary title of “Flight of the Bumble Bee Robber.” (Don’t worry if you didn’t catch the musician joke; it’s a niche crowd.) Who would’ve thought that the King Mouse and a bank-robbing beekeeper would set the stage for my future comedic career?
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
While my first job of piercing ears and selling jewelry at Claire’s had its moments, nothing quite compares to the un-sexy charm of working in a call center for a corporate aeronautical human resources company.
Our mission? To assist security personnel in navigating the two-year application process for various airports nationwide. Yes, you heard that right—two whole years just to land a job. And let’s not even talk about the less-than-stellar pay awaiting those who managed to survive the application marathon.
But, here’s where the story takes a comedic twist. My cubicle mate overheard one of my calls with an applicant. Once I hung up, he turned to me and said, “Roe, you’ve got to do stand-up. I want a cut of your earnings because I know you’d kill it.” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, insisting I wasn’t funny at all. Little did I know, fate had other plans.
The following week, I found myself at a small comedy club in Albuquerque, New Mexico, watching a comedy friend do his headline set. To my shock, he called me up to the stage after his set. I was utterly unprepared, armed with only the two jokes I had shared with my cubicle mate. Yet, those two jokes were all it took to ignite my adrenaline and set me on a comedic journey.
Fast forward, and I’ve graced the stages of comedy venues like The Comedy Store, Ice House, Laugh Factory, and embraced my comedy edges by completing Second City’s Conservatory program. Now, I’m on a journey to complete my first comedy feature film script.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
Anyone who has ventured into improv or standup knows that there’s a huge rush of nerves that strikes right before going on stage. For me, embracing that rush of adrenaline was key. It signaled that I’d put in the work, and that I was prepared to create humor and emotions out of thin air. If I ever write a memoir, it’ll be titled “Adrenaline is a Hell of a Drug.”
There was a period in my comedy journey when I took a significant step back. Life threw some personal drama my way, leading me down a darker path. I started to believe that to be taken seriously as an artist, I had to showcase my pain in what I wrote and performed. But every time I ventured into that territory, I couldn’t resist ending my performance with a comedic twist or searching for that “haha” to break the tension. It was during this time that I had a revelation—I realized that comedy had been my coping mechanism all along, a lifelong friend in the face of challenges.
If I was going to make my mark in the entertainment industry as an artist, I needed to wholeheartedly embrace my comedic voice and recognize its indispensable place in my career. It’s the unique fusion of humor and honesty that sets me apart, and it’s what helps me stick with this wild and wonderful world of comedy.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Let go of any molecule in your body that whispers the idea of “playing it safe.” I may not be the wisest old dog in the comedy game, but I’ve had my fair share of moments where I felt stuck in my comfort zone, reluctant to tackle the edgier or riskier subjects. Part of this tendency comes from the mindset instilled by my dad, who always said, “Don’t be the one to rock the boat.” However, what I’ve learned is that sometimes, our most impactful moments as comedians arise when we dare to challenge convention. Don’t let the fear of rocking that boat hold you back. Your voice, your unique perspective, can truly reshape someone’s worldview.
Now, about that comedy platform you stand on, both physically and metaphorically—infuse it with purpose. While it might be tempting to rely on shock value or the newfound liberation of voicing things on a microphone, remember that comedy can be a powerful tool for change. Your words have the potential to shape opinions, foster understanding, and create lasting memories for your audience. So, don’t just say things for the sake of saying them; ensure your comedy carries a genuine purpose and context. Make it an experience your audience can take home with them, one that leaves them with a positive, memorable impact. In doing so, you’ll not only gain fans but also connect with individuals who truly need to hear your unique point of view and life experiences.
…After putting all that out there, let’s just hope I have enough oxygen to actually impart that when I get to my deathbed.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into the comedy world?
Hands down, it’s Christopher Titus. He is a true inspiration for me when it comes to venturing into the comedy world. The way he approaches comedy is nothing short of remarkable. I mean, here’s a guy who faces life’s challenges head-on and still manages to wake up every day with the desire to make audiences both laugh and feel deeply. It’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.
I first discovered Christopher Titus during a particularly dark period in my life, and his work became a guiding light. The way he takes his personal experiences, no matter how tough they may be, and turns them into hilarious and thought-provoking comedy is just phenomenal. He doesn’t shy away from the gritty aspects of life; instead, he embraces them and transforms them into something beautiful through humor.
In fact, my dream is to create a one-person show that can rival the impact of Christopher Titus’s performances. His ability to connect with his audience on such a deep and emotional level while keeping them in stitches is something I aspire to achieve in my comedy career. He’s a true master of the art, and I’m incredibly grateful for the inspiration he’s provided on my own comedic journey.
What is your go-to show or movie when you’ve had a bad day?
First in the lineup is Dodgeball. This outrageously stupid-but-in-the-best-way underdog story with its wildly unrealistic comical twists serves as a reminder that no matter what life throws at me, there’s a treasure chest of absurdity waiting to brighten my day. And let’s be real, who can resist the joy of watching Ben Stiller bleed his own blood? I’ve heard rumors about a Dodgeball 2, and just in case anyone’s listening, I’m throwing my hat in the ring to interview for the director’s chair. I mean, who wouldn’t want to helm that comedic sequel?
Next, I turn to The Waterboy. There’s something oddly comforting about Bobby Boucher’s quirky adventures and his unstoppable spirit. It’s a reminder that sometimes, it’s okay to be a little bit different, and embracing your unique self can lead to some pretty hilarious situations.
Now, for a fun comedic reversal, I swerve right into the Fast and Furious franchise (except for Tokyo Drift, of course!). Those high-octane, family-centric, and Vin Diesel-infused movies never fail to deliver a jolt of adrenaline–which is my favorite type of drug. Fast 8 hits me particularly hard because I was a fan of Paul Walker, and his presence in the series always gets me right in the feels.
What single word always cracks you up?
The immature child in me wants to share the word Idaho.
That was my best (and probably stolen) dirty joke in middle school. The fake desire to name a dog Idaho so I can run around the park screaming “I da hoe!” Yeah… those mysterious pre-teen years.