Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Perry.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I always knew I wanted to make people laugh, even from a young age. I graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2016 with a degree in Comedy Writing and performance. Through that degree, I completed the Comedy Studies Program at The Second City and then went on to graduate from The Conservatory there, as well as the entire iO improv program. Shortly after that, I got a job as a cocktail waitress at The Laugh Factory in Chicago and quickly realized it wasn’t improv that I wanted to pursue, but stand-up. I started doing the open mic there every Wednesday and shortly after started to get booked on some independent shows around Chicago. In the three years since I started doing stand-up, I have produced multiple successful shows in Chicago including the Laugh Factory’s Drink Date Laugh on Fridays and my very own creation: Boy/Girl Sleepover. I have also recently lent my writing and acting chops to WGN’s Man Of The People, a late night show hosted by Pat Tomasulo and have opened up for Chris Redd (SNL, Popstar), Colin Kane (The Wedding Ringer) and Jeremy Piven (Entourage).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. Being a comedian is difficult. Being a young, new comedian is even more difficult. And being a young, new female comedian is the MOST difficult. There’s always going to be people trying to bring you down in any profession, but the world of stand- up comedy is on a whole other level, especially if you are a woman. Don’t get me wrong, I have met some of my very best friends through comedy…but it is one of the most competitive fields out there. You have to prove yourself and push yourself to become better because no one is going to do that for you. You also have to REALLY want it because it takes a lot of time and commitment and rejection and pays very little (at least in the beginning).
Please tell us more about your standup and career so far.
Most of my stand-up is very, very personal. I talk about my own struggles with alcohol, sex, anxiety, relationships (or lack-there-of) and find that they are very relatable. I also talk a lot about my family, who is hysterical as well as different life events of mine. I really enjoy self-deprecating humor, and I believe that there is great value in being able to not hold back and completely make fun of yourself at times.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I keep a personal checklist of different career goals that I have, and I keep having to expand the list the more things I check off. To me, that already makes me successful; not the certain shows I’ve done or places I’ve been lucky enough to perform at. I am making a living doing what I love, in a place that I adore. I always saw that as a far-off dream, not something that I would actually be able to accomplish one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: Sperrycomedy.com
- Instagram: Sperrycomedy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SperryComedy
Image Credit:
ANF
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