Veronica Garza knows you can do better
What were you like as a teen?
Is an athletic nerd a thing? That was me.
I didn’t know I could have comedy goals, but I definitely enjoyed making my friends and classmates laugh. (Especially my female classmates. SPOILER ALERT: I didn’t know I was gay.)
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
My starter job was the assistant to the VP/GM of a popular Spanish-language channel (yes, that one…or the other one you are thinking of) in Dallas. I got absolutely nothing out of it, but I will mention they forgot to take me off payroll when I left the company.
Will NOT mention that I forgot to mention to them to stop paying me for two months. Consider it backpay for having to type all my boss’s contacts into her flip phone that one time.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
Having other friends in comedy really helped me stick with it. Seeing us all become funnier and start getting booked was very encouraging. Plus, we were able to hold each other accountable for hitting up mics. Ok, that’s partially what kept me going. What also kept me going was the cheap Tecates at Creek & The Cave and the cheap ass vodka sodas I would get at mics.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Trolls/hecklers are part of the game, unfortunately. How I handle them depends on the situation. Are they just wanting to hear themselves talk? Are they drunk? On a date? Attempting to have a side convo as I’m on stage? Those are all things to consider in regard to how I respond, but I usually a rather quick to shut it down….my efforts range from saying, “Hey, if you have any questions about my jokes I can explain them after the show.” to “Yo, shut the f*ck up”.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
My advice would be, “That pronoun joke you have is hack as hell. Do better, bud.”
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Be nice.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
A comedian once told me to just go to shows and ask the producer for time even when you don’t know them. That advice is what happens when you ask for advice from a straight, white, male comic. NOW I KNOW BETTER.
How has being funny helped you in your life?
It’s just helped me laugh at myself even during times of pain or sadness. Learning to poke fun at it and find the funny has also helped me heal through those rough times.
What is your go-to movie to watch when you have had a bad day?
The Break Up (I know, I know)
What specific things can a young comic do to shape their voice?
Journal and keep those journals on hand to look back and read to reflect on your growth. Get on stage as much as possible ESPECIALLY in atmospheres that are a bit difficult to test yourself and find out what you are capable of pulling out of yourself.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into comedy?
Nobody in particular did. But watching female comics such as Wanda Sykes, Sarah Silverman, and Sara Contreras assisted in swaying me to believe comedy is something I wanted to try.
Do you have a writing routine?
I tell myself to write for at least five minutes a day. It doesn’t have to always end up with new bits, but maybe a new premise or tagline for an old joke. I try to have three new things (bit, idea, premise, tag, situation) to work on each day.
What single word always cracks you up?
donkey
