My Unexpected Foray into Stand-Up!

Katy Downing performing @ Kookaburra Los Angeles, California

Stand-up comedy was never part of my plan. In fact, I signed up for a class by accident. One day, sitting in the back of a van on a Zoom call, I found out I’d be performing stand-up at the end of the month. Terrifying, right?

What saved me was the generosity of the stand-up community. Just like when I first began theater, the more experienced comedians offered guidance: “Trust me, pause longer,” or “Hold the silence, that’s where the laugh comes.” It was terrifying, but I listened—and they were right.

Even though I’m not actively doing stand-up now, that experience gave me lifelong friendships and a new respect for the craft. I fell in love with the way comedians care less about ego and more about making the joke work. It reminded me that performance, at its best, is about generosity and connection.