From Convent to Comedy – Kelli Dunham Laughs Her Way Through Life

Out lesbian comedian Kelli Dunham has had a very eventful and interesting life so far -full of unique meetings, experiences, and travels. And most of that occurred before she became a professional comedian touring the country making people laugh. The self-proclaimed “dork gone wild,” who trained to become a nun and almost ended up married to a preacher in the bible belt, recently discussed with cherrygrrl.com her life, influences, and future goals for her career.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How did you first get involved in comedy and how long have you been doing standup?

Kelli Dunham (KD): I have been interested in comedy since I was a kid. The walk home from the bus stop was 5/8 of a mile, and I often stopped to tell the cows jokes along the way. They weren’t such a bad first audience! My first time on a stage was 2001, but it wasn’t until 2004 that I was working every weekend and had started to find my niche.

CG: You have experienced and done a lot of interesting things in your life so far – from growing up in a small town, your time in a convent, world travels helping those who are less fortunate and nursing school. How have all of your experiences shaped you as a comic?

KD: I think whatever you do as a person helps you as a comic because you have more raw material to draw on. Even if you aren’t actively joking about one aspect of life or another, it all provides perspective, and comedy is all about perspective, providing a new verbal slant, often on something fairly mundane.

CG: If you weren’t working in comedy what do you think you would be doing?

KD: I think that if I hadn’t found comedy I would have tried to get back into the convent. I might have had to break in though, I am not sure they would really want me at this point!

CG: You have published four books so far – are there others in the works and if so what are the topics?

KD: I have a few different books floating around in my head, but nothing contracted right now. Exciting things in the works though!

CG: Who do you consider your biggest influences to be?

KD: Kate Clinton, Eddie Izzard and Chris Farley are my comic influences.

CG: Your calendar lists that you have a new column called “Jersey Fresh” debuting in Out in New Jersey Magazine. What’s that all about?

KD: I’ve written a regular humor column on and off for the past ten years. The original incarnation, “Trippin Out,” appeared in Philly’s Au Courant for two years and won three Vice Versa awards. This time I’ll be writing for Out in Jersey, which I consider one of my home states. Since I travel so much between Philly and New York, I spend lots of time in Jersey!

CG: What’s your favorite part of doing a show?

KD: Well, the actual doing it is the most awesome part, when the show seems to take on a life of its own. It’s like a romance, with the crowd, going back and forth, seeing where the audience is on any given night in any given situation.

CG: Where do you hope to see your career go? Film? Television?

KD: Well I used to say that I doubted that the “Kelli Dunham Show” will be debuting any time soon, since I don’t see many folks who look like me on TV. Even in gay specific programming it seems like folks are looking for more mainstream (i.e. not genderqueer) appearing talent. But things are changing, and now it seems more possible.

The advantage of a TV show would be the ability to make a living and not have to travel every weekend. That would be great, but I would miss the live performance aspect and meeting so many interesting and inspirational people on the road.

CG: What would your advice be to aspiring lesbian comedians?

KD: Be funny! And don’t back down from challenging material. As outsiders, we have something unique to say, relish that unique perspective, it’s one of our gifts to the world!

For more information on Kelli visit http://kellidunham.com.

Kelli’s next performances are:

Sep 26, 2008 – Nolose-interactive Workshop: Improv meets activism: The nuts and healthcare advocacy
Northampton, MA
www.nolose.org

Oct 4, 2008 – Poly-Pride Picnic and Rally
New York, NY

http://www.poly-nyc.com/pride.html